Understanding the Dimensions
- Tennis Court Size: A standard doubles tennis court measures 36 feet wide by 78 feet long.- Pickleball Court Size: A pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, significantly smaller than a tennis court.
Setting Up a Pickleball Court on a Tennis Court
To play pickleball on a tennis court, you'll need to create a pickleball court within the tennis court's lines. Here’s how you can do it:
Dividing the Tennis Court:
You can theoretically fit up to four pickleball courts on one tennis court, but typically, people set up just one or two pickleball courts on either side of the tennis net.
Net Height:
Pickleball Net Height: 36 inches at the sides and 34 inches at the center.
Tennis Net Height: 42 inches at the sides and 36 inches at the center.
Adjustment: Although you can alter the center of the tennis net by using a strap or adjusting the entire thing, it's best to just use a portable pickleball net if at all possible. This will keep the tennis players happy and will also save you a ton of hassle trying to adjust the net. Some courts offer semi-permanent nets that can be rolled into place, while others require you to bring your own.
Marking the Lines:
Temporary Lines: Use chalk, tape, or portable court line markers to outline the pickleball court dimensions. You can create these within the tennis court boundaries using parts of the existing tennis court lines to align your pickleball court with.
Dimensions of a Pickleball Court & Layout:
Non-Volley Zone ("Kitchen"): 7 feet from the net on both sides.
Service Areas: The remainder of the court is divided into left and right service areas, each measuring 10 feet by 15 feet, extending from the kitchen to the baseline. The easiest way to set up the court is to start by measuring and drawing the exterior lines first, followed by the interior lines for the service areas and kitchen.
Visual Layout of Pickleball Courts on a Tennis Court:
Here, you'll see some common layouts of how pickleball courts are adapted on a tennis court. Although this varies place to place, this should offer some guidance on where to start.
Playing Pickleball on a Tennis Court
Once the court is set up, you can play pickleball using standard rules. Here are some key points to remember:
Serving:
Serve diagonally, underhand, and below the waist. The serve must land in the opposite service area beyond the kitchen.
Double Bounce Rule:
The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before volleys are allowed.
Scoring:
Games are typically played to 11 points, with a win by a two-point margin.
Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen):
Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the kitchen.
Advantages of Playing Pickleball on a Tennis Court
Accessibility: Using existing tennis courts makes pickleball more accessible to communities without dedicated pickleball facilities.
Versatility: Tennis courts can accommodate multiple pickleball games simultaneously, especially for larger groups or tournaments.
Conclusion
Playing pickleball on a tennis court is a convenient and practical solution for many players and communities. By making a few adjustments to the court set up, you can enjoy all the fun and excitement pickleball offers without needing a specialized court. Whether you're a tennis player looking to try something new or a pickleball enthusiast seeking more play space, utilizing tennis courts can be a great option.
