Health & wellness
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Experts talk pickleball, padel, tennis
The local impact
Community is a major reason for the surge in Austin’s racket sports scene, especially pickleball, Hoisington said. “It’s a third place for people,” Hoisington said. “We have people commonly come into our club that have just moved here, they don’t know anybody [and] it’s instant community. There’s no age restriction, so you’re playing with all different ages and different skill levels.” Verna also said one of the allures of pickleball is that it has a “very low barrier to entry,” unlike some other racket sports. “You could have no racket sport background and step out on the court and within 10 minutes, you’re playing a game,” Verna said. “It can get very competitive— people put in a lot of work and training as the game progresses to get better and better, but it’s very easy for people of all levels.”
Several new racket sports facilities have opened in the Austin area within the last few years, offering players a social space for shared interests, said Karen Hoisington, franchisee of The Picklr’s Austin West and Oak Hill locations. Racket sports share the basic gameplay of hitting a ball over a net, but there are a few differences, said Jordan Verna, head pro and director of pickleball instruction at both The Picklr locations. Court dimensions vary, Verna said, but typically three or four pickleball courts could fit inside the size of one tennis court. Padel courts are typically larger than pickleball courts but smaller than tennis, and enclosed with walls. “When people have some [racket] sport background, that’s a big advantage ... but there’s always a few differences,” Verna said.
Breaking it down Pickleball, padel and tennis each have their own style of play and strategies. Ball type
• Pickleball: plastic ball • Padel: depressurized felt ball • Tennis: felt ball
Racket/paddle type
• Pickleball: solid paddle • Padel: solid racket • Tennis: string racket
Common game format
• Pickleball: doubles • Padel: doubles • Tennis: singles or doubles
SOURCES: THE PICKLR, USA PICKLEBALL, INTERNATIONAL PADEL FEDERATION, INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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