I am 83 years old and still trying to learn how to play better tennis. I don't really play games much anymore but spend most of the time just hitting groundstrokes. I still take pleasure in trying to improve my form and consistency. I played pickball a couple of times, and even took some lessons ,and I agree with nearly everything that you said about its advantages. It's fun, but I've been playing tennis for over 60 years and as long as I continue to do so, it will be my favorite.
I have tried Pickleball several times because "if you can't beat 'em you gotta join 'em" - but I just don't love it like I love tennis. I'm trying to like it more because I know lots of people who have switched. But I just love the elegance of hitting a groundstroke in tennis and the athleticism, challenge, and mental strength involved.
Totally agree. Not sure if it's the serve motion or the volley motion, but tennis is just a lot more athletic and elegance especially if you have strokes taught by old school coaches with the one handed slice, back handed volley etc. Besides, how can I leave Federer's sport?
I think another thing that makes pickleball easier is the small paddle. I see parents taking their kids out to play pickleball and they can have a rally right away because the paddle is so close to their hand and feels more natural...like an arm extension. Conversely, I've see parents out on courts trying to teach tennis, and the length of the racquet makes that a challenge. Watching the kids flail away is tough to see. I think that lends itself to frustration for the kids. Getting success early and often makes pickleball a bit more beginner friendly.
PB vs tennis is instant gratification vs delayed gratification. Anyone who has played a racket sport before (tennis, ping pong, badminton) can pick up pickleball in a day and play friendly semi-competitive matches with others. Starting out in tennis is a long slow process. It takes weeks for a beginner to hit feeds with precision and intent. Being match ready is an even longer process, each new shot takes months to make reliable. But with long hard work comes the feeling of progression and achievement that PB can't compare. The high skill floor and ceiling of tennis can be daunting to beginners, but the feeling of progression, physicality of the sport is what keeps me coming back.
Really appreciate your assessment here. I am a pickleball player. I've played for 20+ years. I played a little tennis back in my 20's but never got serious about it. I do love tennis. I love watching the best players in the world play. There has to be room in this world for both sports to succeed. The problem right now is the growth of pickleball is exceeding the places available to play and since tennis court conversion is an easy fix, tennis players feel like their turf is being encroached on. I can totally understand that point of view, and until the court situation is balanced, pickleball and tennis will continue to be at odds. The one thing I will say is pickleball tends to be looked down on by tennis players so we generally get a bit of an inferiority complex and then defensive about our sport., As some have said on here, the sports are different requiring different skill sets. You did illustrate that after a lesson a good tennis player can be a serviceable pickleball player, but that will only take you so far...especially in doubles where the soft game does not have a tennis analog.
I agree that in PB it is much easier initially to be successful and that tennis requires more over all athleticism. I also think one of the biggest advantages of PB is that at most courts you just "pick up" and play. No need to schedule courts, partners or opponents, just show up with a paddle. I play both but prefer tennis. Most importantly I think THAT people are playing is so much more important than WHAT they are playing.
As a ranked competitive 4.5 tennis player I decided to give it a try. It took me 3 weeks to get my tennis strokes back in a groove after playing PB. Totally different swing paths and muscle memory. If you are competitive and playing matches or high level of intensity leagues, it can destroy your game for awhile. And being 6'4" I want to be able to crush that overhand serve..... But it does help your volley reactions.... And, hating dinkers and pushers in tennis made me really hate the kitchen.
I've played it a couple of times, but I find tennis much more challenging. I am 80 years old and still find that I am learning tennis. There are a variety of strokes in tennis that I do not think are in pickleball. It was fun, but not at the level of tennis. When I can no longer play tennis I will switch, but until then tennis is my sport.
Great analysis and comparison of the 2 sports. I'm 72 and still play tennis- mostly doubles. As our bodies sometimes age us out of things we love to do, we need to adjust. PB is a natural progression to keep us active and I also play PB. We just need to keep moving. Keep up the great work and videos.
Tennis was the sport I started playing at age 10, all the way up through my college days. Now, many many moons later, I do play some pickle and enjoy it a lot, but Tennis will always be #1 in my heart, for all the reasons you mentioned: Plus - being a racquet stringer/technician I love working/servicing racquets of all sports! Can't string a paddle 😋 Great content, great channel, keep up the great work!
Honestly, it's a real shame touchtennis didn't pick up at all in North America. It's a much better sport than pickleball and it's just tennis on a smaller court and the rallies are way longer than in regular tennis. I tried starting getting some people playing touchtennis in my small community and the seniors that played pickleball that were former tennis players said that they prefer to play touchtennis because it feels like tennis but easier to play and more fun.
Most of the negativity comes from pickleball taking over tennis courts. But the whole "should you switch" question doesn't really apply because they are distinctly different activities; you could ask the same question about ping-pong or racketball. The athletic ability, skillset, and muscle memory required are entirely different; all they really have in common are "you stand on a court and hit a ball with a racket-shaped implement".
I think the question "switching" is present in a lot of tennis players minds. 1.) As you mention, PB vulturing tennis courts, clubs, pros and TV time. With less courts around and less people wanting to play. 2.) Popularity--all your friends who don't play tennis are now hanging out on your tennis court playing PB. "Come join us." 3.) Now a lot of tennis "social" groups are going to PB outings. So there is a sense of being left behind on not included if we don't play. I've tried it and am not really interested.
My 3 rules of playing PB for tennis players: 1) Over 60 years old. 2) On Medicare. 3) Are a grandparent. If you want to show the world you have given up before meeting the above rules, try PB.
I have never picked up a pickleball racquet, but as I had been a fantastic table tennis player at age 12, I think I could become a very good pickleball player if I want to. What I don't know is, if there is any spin in pickleball. Spin is the most important thing in table tennis and almost as important in regular tennis. And thinking about my childhood as a tennis and table tennis player, each sport can have a bad impact on the other one. So I'd only play pickleball like once or twice on summer vacation, but not occasionally as it might 'destroy' my tennis.
You don’t have to choose. I play both. Love the social aspect and yes laughter in pickleball. Gets relatives and friends together from all ages. Tennis I love the journey to becoming a better player. Really about conquering yourself sometimes
Agree with everything you say, but Padel tennis has the same benefits, and is a far better game. PB is boring just leaning over ‘the kitchen’ and trading volleys. In Padel you are constantly trying to get to the net,but get driven back by good lobs. Far more dynamic, and far more variety of shots; very big in Europe, taken over from tennis in Spain and Portugal particularly. A must try Ian.
I've played pickleball and have to admit I found it fun, albeit more relaxed physically than tennis-more of a casual game and less of a workout. I have no gripes with the game itself or the players, who by all reports are welcoming and foster a strong community, as you mention. Tennis players can learn a lot from pickleball on the cultural aspects of the game. I and many tennis players I've spoken to become frustrated with pickleball when already scarce or very busy tennis courts are converted by city governments into pickleball courts. I am especially irked by what seems to be a perception among many pickleballers that "nobody was using" tennis courts that have been converted. In Boston, where I live, there is a consistent 1-3 hour wait for all tennis courts during non-working hours and on weekends. I think some of the defensiveness of tennis players on Pickleball comes from a justified fear that the relatively few courts we have managed to hold on to for tennis in places where space is at a major premium, such as downtown metropolitan areas, will be converted to the spatially more efficient pickleball courts. For a game with so much venture capital money backing it, pickleball should be able to fund its own purpose-built facilities, and those facilities need not and should not come at the expense of tennis facilities. And pickleballers, for all their reputation of generosity, could show a bit more sensitivity and a bit less Malthusian "Tennis is the old thing and it's naturally dying out" attitude towards the perspective of tennis players whose facilities they are parasitizing.
i am almost 78 yrs old and try to play at least tennis at least five times a week. I play in several leagues and love competition. I have spent 50 years trying to get better at the game and still take lessons and do drills. I still love the game and will propably go to pickle ball if I find I cant compete in tennis, probably about age 85 I hope!
Hello - I am over 65 years old and I have played tennis most of my life on a very competitive level. I quit tennis 2 1/2 years ago because of knee issues and start playing 100% pickle. I actually came back to (tennis) a year ago last summer and now I am doing both weekly, tennis doubles and pickle ball doubles. Tennis doubles I believe is easier on your knees, than playing competitive pickle ball doubles. I don’t think tennis players need to make a full choice of switching to one or the other why not do both I still love tennis the most, but I enjoy mixing in some pickle ball just to spice it up
Im trying to split my time between both. Been playing tennis 30 years, PB 3 months and easily picked it up. Love both, but really have to change gears in my head to do both !
I've played tennis for many decades, but have taken up pickleball also this last year. Why not both for both the same reasons we love tennis? I've played both the same days - doubles p-ball, then singles tennis later in the day. My only beef w/p-ball is when some of their people try to appropriate tennis courts, or even co-line them. I own Tennis League San Diego. One of the main issues in our league is our non-club members finding open public courts, and then holding them long enough to play a match. Also, coming back from neck surgery, it's easier to rehab back with p-ball then tennis to start.
My court RIGHT across the street that I used to be able to just go to at ANY time of day ANY day, for the past 10 years since I started tennis at 25, has been taken over especially during prime day hours....
Ian thanks for trying Pickleball and you have done a great job in helping me. Now I have played tennis for over 40 years. At 63 I was busted and broken and could not play tennis any longer. I thought I was done with racquet sports till I found pickleball. What a game changer for me. Once my shoes hit a court I fell in love again. My problem was that I brought too much tennis to the game.. It is much more like ping pong due to court dimensions. Secondly, I strictly played singles and that will absolutely drain you that will beat you up as much as tennis singles. Finally so many tennis players are coming into the sport at all levels. I truly understand why you wont move yet and I felt the same way. Jordan is a great coach and player. So maybe in the years ahead you may move into it more. I will say this there are no real great lessons for pickleballers so I use your videos to put them into a pickleball strategy and boy that has been a game changer for me and my students. Maybe some year you will come over. Keep up the great work in tennis instruction.
Fantastic stuff, Ian. Jordan is a great guy and I'm glad you got some games in with him. Definitely give PB singles a shot, it's super fun. I can't wait to try out tennis one of these days!
Hi, Ian, thanks for the video and all of the hard work you put in making it. I have played pickleball here and there, not enough to switch sides. Tennis definitely is way more challenging and I see no reason to change. One day I was playing tennis at the local courts and a neighbor shouted: "Playing tennis so you can get better at pickleball, huh!" I was a a loss for words.... pretty much said nothing...lol. They are two different games and do not quite compare, people likes to play pickleball doubles a lot, when challenged the top players to singles, then the game was more even, not a big surprise there. Another thing that gets me is the comment on shoes, "Nice pickleball shoes! I am like, no, these are tennis shoes, they have always been.....lol". On a serious note, it is great that people gets out there to have fun an exercise, to each its own. As for me, I will stick with tennis and when I can I will play pickleball for fun. Have a nice day!
Love tennis for all the reasons you gave and more. I have always had great groups and community in the tennis world, love the challenge and when I have tried pickleball, I just feel like I am dumbing down. and that noise! Please! LOL!
Have you tried Padel? Still playing tennis, but Padel is part of the regular rotation of activities. Love it! Talk about a mental game, the extra dimension of playing off the walls is a real challenge. Plus, I think playing on the carpet is a bit easier on the knees.
If you find your self in Houston, I can set something up! @@EssentialTennis I am having a blast with it; many skills transfer over but many new ones to learn as well!
You should totally switch to pickleball if you just want a more social activity to get you moving and out and about. But if you want to push yourself to improve at something and challenge yourself physically then tennis is the far better option. Plus hitting a tennis ball perfectly sounds way more pleasing than any time I hit that wiffle ball with a padel. Also as a self taught tennis player who put in a lot of time practicing the serve, watching early Ian videos and will on fuzzy yellow balls, I can say knowing that i can bomb 110+ mph first serves and consistently hit kick and slice serves now is so rewarding. That sense of mastering a shot i frankly dont think is possible in pickleball so the times i play i just feel like im actually improving my touch and reaction time for volleys in doubles tennis. I understand the appeal to play pickleball as a leisure activity but there is nothing compelling about watching it competitively or taking it serious playing.
I was a 4.5 rated tennis player who had to give it up around 2 years ago because of injuries and health issues. About a year ago I began playing PB and am now a 4.0 player whose working on my game and improving. Contrary to the myth, I must say I have not found PB to be a welcoming, open to all sport, except at the beginning levels. At the levels above, the sport is EXTREMELY cliquish. Also, because of the lack of courts, people are very secretive about when and where they play. I think this is similar to tennis, where good players rightly only want to play with other good players. About your example of Jordan calling up a couple of 4.5 players who were willing to play with Jordan and you, that's really not a surprise. Both of you are known. If those guys didn't know that, I highly doubt they'd be willing to play with unknown randos, who play at an unverified level. If I called you up and said I was a 5.0 player who wanted to play singles, would you do it? Same with PB. I do agree that PB is definitely a more social game with much more interaction than tennis. As much as I feel lucky to have found PB as a somewhat substitute for tennis, I would not play PB if I could play tennis.
Tennis is a great life long sport. Your progress can be fast or slow, but you’ll improve all the same. I started late, but my progress was very fast granted I only played in the summer time due to college courses & work. In 6 usually busy summers I was able to play at a 4.0 level without ever taking a lesson. My lesson was only Federer highlight reels on RU-vid. My progress is now pretty slow due to constant hiatus from life, such as my daughter being born, travelling outside the country, etc. But be damn sure I’m coming back to another season of 8.0 mixed doubles, joining tennis mixers, or even a 4.0 league when I have enough time. You also meet your own community or communities or tennis players to play with or against. It’s always fun.
Thanks for the comparison. A couple friends have wanted me to play pickleball but since I'm only 2 years into tennis I didn't want it to affect my tennis strokes. I love tennis and it's complexity. Would you say that tennis = chess and pickleball = checkers? :)
Yours was a nice assessment of the two sports. I played tennis on four continents and on just about every surface possible, including dirt. I coached tennis for over 25 years. When I moved to a retire community for adults 55+, I chose the community based on tennis. I planned to play pickleball too, just for something else to do. As the months passed, I played more pickleball and less tennis. Yes, tennis skills transfer over and if you are a good player (I was a 4.5 tennis player), you will start pickleball as an advanced player. But you will still have a lot to learn that is unique to pickleaball. If you are older, I highly recommend pickleaball. Ride the wave of enthusiasm that tennis experienced in the 1970s and Germany experienced in the late 80's. I plan to ride that wave till I can no longer play.
Have you tried Padel? Pickleball seems to be a trend in the US, but here in Europe padel has been on a rise the last years. Many new indoor padelcourts popping up. Tried it some, and it has a lot of the advantages you mentioned for PB. Sadly my topspin forehand is not an advantage in Padel, but it's good practice for volley and slices. It's just miles easier to just pick up and start playing compared to tennis.
You’re seriously explaining in detail how invested you are in tennis Ian, as if there’s even a single viewer who was unsure which sport you’d pick 😂 Glad you cleared the air! 🙃
Ian - I have made the switch. Mostly due to not having the health I had previously and I can no longer cover a tennis court. If I didn’t lose my movement, I would have surely stayed - but when you have 2 hip surgeries in 2 years and still in pain, I laterally can not play singles tennis anymore. And I prefer doubles pickleball over tennis pickleball. So I have made the switch and, unless something happens where my legs aren’t in daily pain, my tennis days are sadly over. I prefer tennis over pickleball but when health changes, the choice is sometimes made for you. Thanks for the video
Pickleball is a lot of fun and unlike tennis it is enjoyable even if you are not good. Most people have fun day 1. But there is nothing comparable in Pickleball to full swinging tennis ground strokes from the baseline. If you like to really hit and exert yourself tennis is better.
Also, I play regularly in tennis leagues here in Atlanta (ALTA/T2) & players come in all sizes, shapes & colors...couldnt be more inclusive. And the friendliest classiest folks imaginable.
The biggest problem with pickleball is that it is called pickleball. I genuinely think I could take it more seriously if they figured out a better name!
That’s true, I am a 3.5 player and signed up for play your court to try and meet new players and just have fun practicing more with new people and see different singles play styles. The first three or four people that messaged me ask me my age and then said they didn’t want to play with me cause I was to old, yes I’m in my late 30s but I don’t have dust for blood hahaha. Kinda hurt and I just don’t use the app at all anymore. Sad, so, now I just play with the same groups of guys. Pickle ball is different, young or old, everyone just wants to have fun and play to have fun. I haven’t met a screamer or paddle thrower yet like in tennis, hahaha saw a guy brake his racket a week ago and I was just driving by the courts, hahaha
I play both. My first passion will always be tennis because I've been playing for over 20+ years. I love pickleball too because these two compliments each other. I'm more creative in pickleball and tennis is more physical for me.
so by the looks at the end of the video, we won't be seeing an Essential Pickleball channel anytime soon....that's ok! I'm also sticking to tennis, i'll keep PB for my off days when i'm tired...now i'm interested in your thoughts on the commercial value of tennis v Pickleball?
I don't think there needs to be a choice between pickleball and tennis. I look at pickleball as a different social game, like pool or bowling. I can still enjoy all of these outside of tennis (which I love).
Initially I didn't play PB because it hurts my wrist. But now I'm glad I didn't because I improved my tennis so much that I don't know if I could have done it if I spent my time on PB. I'm talking about recreational level to possibly amateur pro level. I prob miss the chance to talk with the hot girls in PB but instead other girls who plays tennis sees my skills and actually jokingly flirted with me.
Keep up the great work, Ian. I’ve found having played Pickleball 10-12 times, it is a great workout…like doing squats for an hour! It’s sort of ok cross-training for hand-eye and getting down to the ball. But, I’m staying with tennis. I’ll play pickle ball opportunistically, but not going out of my way to search it out.
@@EssentialTennis 68 and still playing dubs 4x a week. thanks to following your honest journey of LH topspin backhand, I now have a “sort-of” useful topspin backhand cross court from the deuce side. On a good day LOL
Maybe when I’m 80 I’ll switch. I love the game of tennis. I like the mental and physical challenge. Both my kids play tennis. The great thing about tennis is it’s so addictive it keeps them away from bad habits. Despite already taking tennis lessons, they beg me to play with them. And don’t forget the smell of the new opened can of balls. I bet it smells much better than plastic pickleballs.
I have yet to hit with 4.5 players. Around here they generally ignore everyone else and just use one court all to themselves while others rotate courts. I do enjoy PB but I barely break 120 BPM per match. Tennis I hit about 150-160 and in badminton I peak at almost 180! Jump smashing will do that to you :)
Full time tennis for me still. I love the adrenaline that tennis gives me, and until I physically can’t run after a tennis ball, then I’ll switch to Pickleball full time. I still don’t object to playing pickleball.
I'm 75 and will stick with tennis-- more exercise and honestly I cannot stand how loud pickle ball is. When we play indoors the facility has 4 PB courts and it sounds like a machine gun.
Where are you finding these nice pickleball people? The group I was talking with for help was really nice until I actually needed advice to improve. Then they turned into nasty trolls so that's why I won't be picking up pickleball. Any questions for advice turned into condesending sessions.
I actually learned more about pickle ball in this video than all the other pickle ball videos on RU-vid. I’m tempted to try pickle ball. Do you think tennis players that like to volley and play the net transition easier to pickle ball?
Have you allready tried to play Padel too? It's a growing sport here in the Netherlands. I haven't play pickleball yet, but i think padel is more challenging than pickleball. Tennis is ofcourse still no.1 imo.😎
The main disadvantage pickleball has, compared with tennis, is that skill at pickleball doesn't do anything to establish or measure a player's value or worth as a human being. However, in a sense this is also an advantage of pickleball as the mental side of the game is less troublesome.
Pickle ball is easier.. Pickle 🥒 ball (No).. Tennis 🎾 (Oh Yes)... Tennis 🎾 is the sport for me.. 👍🏻 😃 😎 Great exercise.. Learn from loses.. Improving all the time.. Fun and enjoyable... The fitness challenge.. 👍🏻 Experiment new shots... 👍🏻 Mental 😎 coolness... 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻 😃 😁 😎 🇬🇧
They did a fantastic job developing the tennis ball, its unique because you can either generate pace/spin on it easily, or you can take pace off the ball as well. I don't like that pickle is a wiffle ball, just too easy. I take a lot of pride in being good at one of the most difficult sports you can learn and after 30 years of playing has continued to reward/challenge/keep me in shape! I also don't like all the bending over you must do in pickle, and how you cannot step into the kitchen with your feet forcing us to just use hands. I think pickle is great, but I hope eventually these newbies will give tennis a try in the future.......
Pickleball is so stupid, tennis is king of racquet/paddle and ball sports. I agree with Ian that it's a much better work out than aimlessly trying to volley your opponent to death with pickleball. Long live tennis
Pickleball is only a thing in America. In Hong Kong no one plays it. The alternative to tennis here is badminton/table tennis, both of which are legit Olympic sports. I just don't see pickleball replacing tennis when there are so many legit racket sports other than tennis on offer in the world.
@@EssentialTennis Ian, thanks for replying. I also want to add that badminton has all the advantages you mentioned for pickleball. Easy to pick up, Underhand serve, Touch/dink shots rather than power, less court coverage, cannot be lobbed etc.
It all comes back to George Carlin, it's just another version of ping pong. "All racket games are derivatives of ping pong - even volleyball is racketless team ping-pong played with an inflated ball and a raised net while standing on the table"
Sooo glad to hear your're not switching. Pickleball nothing more than poor man's tennis for less than athletic folks. If that sounds snobbish, then so be it. Long live tennis. lol.
Great points, agree with all parts good about pickleball that tennis doesn’t have. Even USTA has a cliquey vibe at times (DC area). The major issue: the planners don’t want to pay for standalone pickleball courts. They would rather not pay for space and anger the tennis players. I am doing a great job of censoring myself, but I just want to let it fly 🤬🤬
so tired of this, it is beer pong, ping pong, darts, corn hole, and people with little hand eye coordination. I get the whole concept of why they like it.
Watching non-pro tennis players is the most boring garbage there is. 😢 I could go make a coffee between every shot. Now watching professional tennis players is amazing. Too bad none of you are. Tennis is only fast on the serves after that it’s like watching paint dry. If you’re looking to run a lot like in tennis, you should just go for a jog instead. Pickle ball took all the fun things about tennis and made it quicker and far more fun, the days of Pickleball being for old people that barely dink over the net have been long gone. Nowadays, it’s a much younger game that’s gotten super fast and super quick. Requiring far more athleticism than tennis ever did. I don’t consider running after the ball for 3 seconds between every shot as athletic. You simply won’t be able to appreciate Pickleball athletic requirements and needed hand eye coordination until you start playing competitive games with 4.0 and above. Anything below is just fun games for socializing. Tennis is the boxing of 15 years ago when MMA took over and never looked back. You will still find people that appreciate boxing, but there’s gonna be less and less of them. So as tennis players, I wouldn’t worry about not having enough courts, soon there won’t be any people left to play on them. 😂
