Racket-based games have a unique charm. It’s fun to handle the racket, play games, and socialize simultaneously. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, racket-based games offer an exciting level of fun and socializing experience to all.

Padel and Tennis are two racket-based games that have gained immense traction over the years. The two are different, but for sports enthusiasts, both are a source of immense fun and a means of community engagement.

Now, imagine, as a newbie, you’re picking up the racket for the first time and are excited about the gameplay. But then you are unsure about which game you should proceed with: will it be padel or tennis, for which you’ll be stepping in on the court? True, the balls and rackets are there in both games, but both differ entirely in their nature.

This article gives a walkthrough on both padel and tennis, making it easier to decide which of the two is easier for a novice player.

Padel and Its Popularity

Padel, a relatively new sport, has now emerged as the fastest-growing sport across the globe. According to FIP, this sport now boasts around 30 million players worldwide. The game combines the elements of both tennis and squash and offers an exciting game for players of all skill levels. However, in its entirety, the game significantly differs from tennis. Here’s how:

• The padel courts are smaller. 
• The glass walls and steel mesh offer closure. 
• The walls are an integral part of the game. 
• The racket is smaller and non-stringed. 
• The ball is less pressurized and has a low bounce. 
• The serving style is different (underhand serve). 
• It’s mostly played in doubles. 

Tennis and Its Popularity

Tennis, the predecessor of padel, also boasts much fame in the sports community. For instance, according to a recent report by ITF, just under 106 million people play tennis at some level across the world. Though a racket-based game, tennis also markedly differs from padel. Here’s how: 

• The courts are larger.   
• The walls are not a part of the game. 
• The racket is larger and string-based. 
• The ball is more pressurized and has a higher bounce. 
• The serving style is different (overhead serve). 
• It can also be played as a single-player game. 

Which is Easier: Padel or Tennis?

For a beginner, deciding between playing tennis or padel can be confusing. Well, we’ve made it easier for you. The following are some key points that beginners can consider when making their move to the game court. 

1. Learning Curve 

Every sport of any type requires learning and practice. The difference lies in the difficulty level, which then brings a difference in the game’s learning curve.

Padel: The game is comparatively easier to learn and play. The underhand serve and less-compressed ball make it easier to strike a shot, whereas the court enclosure keeps the ball in play for a long time. This makes padel rallies longer and more engaging for the players, especially beginners.

Tennis: Compared to the former, tennis features a steeper learning curve. The game exhibits a good amount of technique and physical readiness. Mastering the service is difficult. With walls not a part of the game, the rallies end quickly for novice players. Beginners can often feel overwhelmed by the layers of complexities added by spin control, footwork, and ball placements.

2. Physical Demands 

Racket-based games are another name for physical activities and exercise. The intensity of the exercise involved in each is what brings the difference.

Padel: This sport is a lot gentler as we speak of the court and workouts. The walled court and the doubles-only game reduce court movements. Strategic gameplay still involves quick movements and reflexes, but the intensity level is low.

Tennis: In contrast, tennis is a sport requiring more endurance. Larger courts and single-player games enhance running across the court. While it does build cardiovascular strength, it can be highly exhaustive for novice players. The game can get long and tiring, even for players with a competitive skill set.

3. Game Format

Your game-playing experience is directly related to the format of the entire game.

Padel: Padel is a sport that is almost always played in a doubles format. This means the presence of your partner in court. This format makes the game increasingly social and supportive, especially for novice players. The players can take turns serving and share strike responsibilities. In turn, it boosts the morale and confidence of a player in the game.

Tennis: In contrast, tennis offers both singles and doubles formats, with the singles format being more common. Solo playing demands more court management responsibility, which can sometimes get overwhelming for beginners. Quick footwork, independent decision-making, and the ability to cover space quickly are all a part of this gameplay.

4. People Engagement Level

Sports of all kinds are engaging activities. But some are more inclusive than others, boasting a larger fan base.

Padel: Padel is an all-inclusive sport. It welcomes people of all ages (kids and adults) and skill sets (beginner or seasoned players). Moreover, the sport thrillingly promotes socialism and engagement as the players continue to chat, discuss, and strategize within the enclosed court. Padel tournaments add to the entire fun, as they are lighter, full of laughter, yet competitive.

Tennis: Tennis is more inclined towards a professional nature. The players do socialize and engage during the game. However, the central focus is on enhancing the skill set to move further ahead in the line and tennis leagues. 

5. Risk of Injuries

The risk of injuries is always there, no matter the physical activity you’re doing. But depending on the nature of the sport, this risk differs — either more or less.

Padel: As a people-friendly sport, padel boasts a slightly lower risk of injury. The slower ball speed and smaller movement zones help avoid harm. But being a “sport,” it is not entirely risk-free. Players, especially beginners with no experience, can sprain their ankles or have wrist strain.

Tennis: This sport has a high-impact nature and, therefore, can often cause injuries like elbow strains and shoulder and knee issues. Players playing without proper form and neglecting warm-ups are especially prone to such problems. 

Which One Should You Play: Padel or Tennis?

Choosing between padel and tennis mainly depends on personal preferences, goals, and skill level. While the points mentioned above do help in this decision-making, the ultimate decision is still based on the player’s interests. For instance, for a tennis enthusiast, the game is a piece of cake, regardless of the easier strikes and technique involved in padel. 

Below are some recommendations that can help beginners with their decision-making in this regard: 

Choose padel if you prefer: 

• A more social and engaging experience. 
• A shallow learning curve. 
• A game with less fatigue and workout exhaustion. 
• Friendly group and casual matches with friends and family. 

Similarly, you should go for tennis if you: 

• Are fonder of stringed racket games. 
• Like playing games in singles. 
• Want to build up physical strength and endurance. 

Both sports are exciting and have their unique charm. It all depends on your choice, which also reflects what kind of experience you’re looking to have. 

Key Takeaway

Padel and tennis are two racket-based games harboring thrill, excitement, and social interaction. Padel, being an all-inclusive game, offers a more welcoming experience for all.

Tennis, on the other hand, has a more professional nature, inviting all sports enthusiasts who wish to pursue this as a professional career. Nevertheless, making a choice between padel and tennis for beginners is a decision that requires self-analysis and passion for the particular game.