Pickleball Net Height vs. Tennis Net Height
Understanding the key differences between the equipment used in tennis and pickleball can help prepare you for switching between the two sports and understand individual game mechanics better. One of these key differences is the net dimensions.
Height Differences Between Pickleball and Tennis Nets
The tennis net height is 42 inches at the posts and drops six inches in the middle for a height of 36 inches.
The pickleball net height is 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches high in the middle. The sag in the center of the net is typical of all sports using a net and is adjustable by a center strap. Pickleball nets are lower because of the equipment used in the game of pickleball and the distance between the players and the net.
Why the Center Matters
In both sports, most of the action happens in the center of the court, particularly during service. Players are trained to aim down the middle to get a lower arc and more drive on their shots.
Hitting balls along the sidelines where the net is higher often results in more errors and the risk of out-of-bounds shots. This can be particularly difficult for beginners and those who regularly play pickleball and switch to tennis.
Width Differences Between Pickleball and Tennis Nets
The most significant difference in net size is in the width of the nets used for both sports. The width of the net has to run from sideline to sideline. Since a tennis court is about twice as wide as a pickleball court, tennis nets are 42 feet wide for doubles matches and 33 feet wide for singles.
The pickleball net width is 21 feet, 9 inches wide for both singles and doubles matches.
Similarities Between Pickleball and Tennis Nets
Similarities between pickleball and tennis nets include:
Both are strapped down in the center to maintain regulation height.
Both have supporting posts to hang and stretch the nets on.
The nets require a woven mesh material to keep balls from going through.
The second set of supporting posts in tennis singles courts are 3 inches in diameter, the same as pickleball’s main support posts.
They each have a metal cable running through the top and use 2” white tape to cover the cable.
Differences Between Pickleball and Tennis Nets
Differences between pickleball and tennis nets include:
A tennis net needs to be sturdier due to differences in the weight of the balls
Pickleball nets are 2” shorter in the center than tennis nets
Pickleball nets are 6” shorter at the posts
Tennis nets are just over twice as wide as pickleball nets
Tennis uses additional supporting posts for singles matches
The main supporting posts in tennis are larger
Can You Use a Tennis Net for Pickleball?
Yes, you can use tennis nets for pickleball nets with a few adjustments. Most parks and public spaces, even if they haven’t converted their tennis courts to match pickleball court dimensions, offer roll-away nets that players can push into the proper position rather than permanent nets.
To use a tennis net for pickleball, the tennis net must be lowered to the height of a pickleball net by adjusting the center strap. Some nets may also be lowered with notches on the side posts. Ensure the top of the net in the center is 34 inches high and the height at the net posts is 36 inches high.
If you prefer not to adjust the height of the nets, you may wish to purchase an official USA Pickleball portable pickleball net that you can bring with you. Portable nets are inexpensive, and it is easy to set up a standard pickleball court using chalk and a measuring tape on any flat surface with the net placed in the middle of the court.
Who Decided This Stuff?
As the story goes, Joel Pritchard, one of the pickleball founders back in 1965, would stand at the net and ensure it came up to his (36-inch) waist height before they played. While they had originally played on a badminton court - they found the badminton net height of 60 inches to be too high for their game and decided on a “waist-high” net instead.
In subsequent years, the USAPA developed equipment guidelines for official tournaments that are now followed by professionals and amateur pickleball players engaged in casual play.
What Does Height Mean for Each Sport?
One of the determining factors for how fast a ball travels is the trajectory it’s on. It stands to reason that pickleball nets are lower than tennis nets, so the ball used in pickleball could be hit harder and on a straighter line than a tennis ball. This isn’t the case, as the net height is just one factor.
If you compare the two balls side-by-side, you’ll notice several key differences between them. In pickleball, a Wiffle ball is used that has 26-40 holes in it that allow air to pass through the ball. This causes the ball to lift and dip, slowing it down. Tennis balls have a solid exterior, and skilled tennis players can hit the ball at speeds well over 100mph.
The weights of the two balls also make a difference. A tennis ball weighs between 1.975 and 2.095 ounces, while a pickleball ball weighs .8 ounces. The lighter weight of a pickleball ball means that it can’t be hit as hard with a pickleball paddle or travel as far as a tennis ball, requiring a lower net for optimal play.
