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Your One-Stop Shop for Racquet & Paddle Sports
The sport of tennis has generated many racquet sport spin-offs that involve a racquet, net, and ball. The most common examples are squash and racquetball, but did you know about the other “racquet” sports? Different types of racquet and paddle sports include Pickleball, Padel, Platform Tennis, POP Tennis and Beach Tennis. All of these sports are quite similar in equipment and scoring, with a few key distinctions. Fromuth Racquet Sports is here to help clarify these differences for you, as well as help you bring these fast-growing sports to your club or facility.
Padel
Padel, the fastest growing sport in the world, combines elements of squash and racquetball with tennis scoring. It is typically played in doubles on an enclosed court and balls can be played off the walls. Scoring is the same as tennis and the balls used are similar, but with less pressure. Solid, stringless racquets are used.
Find a Padel Court in the USA
Currently, there are 12+ million players worldwide, 30,000 courts, 37 International Federations and a World Padel Tour.
Platform Tennis
Platform tennis, like Padel, is played on an enclosed court. The court is about 1/3 the size of a traditional tennis court and is placed on an elevated platform. The elevated base allows for heating systems to be placed beneath the deck, allowing for outdoor play in all weather conditions, particularly in the Northeast U.S. during the winter months. Platform tennis paddles are made of composite materials with holes drilled into the head. The spongy, rubber ball measures 2.5" in diameter.
Pickleball
Pickleball has been around for decades, but is gaining popularity in the United States thanks to its simple rules and playability for all ages. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball, similar to a Wiffle Ball, over modified tennis net. Pickleball shares features of other racquet sports, including the dimensions and layout of a badminton court. Rules are somewhat similar to tennis, but with several modifications.
Beach Tennis
Beach tennis is played on the beach or an indoor sand court. The court is similar in size to a beach volleyball court and Stage 2 (low compression "orange") balls are used. The main catch is you can't let the ball hit the ground. Played entirely with volleys and smashes, beach tennis is a quick, exciting game that offers an excellent cardio workout.
POP Tennis
POP Tennis is a new twist on Padel. It is essentially tennis, but played on shorter courts with solid paddle racquets, lower compression tennis balls, and the same scoring as tennis - except for one underhand serve. POP Tennis is a scaled down version of traditional tennis, making it fun and easy to learn so that everyone can play and instantly enjoy.
Fromuth Racquet Sports proudly carries products and equipment for five (5) different types of racquet paddle sports: Pickleball, Padel, Platform Tennis, POP Tennis and Beach Tennis.
Quick Comparison
Pickleball
- Can be played in singles or doubles
- Serves underhand
- Requires the least amount of movement compared to the other paddle sports
- Balls - similar to a Wiffle ball, but a little heavier and thicker
- Racquets - Solid paddles made of composite or graphite
- Court Size - 20’ x 44’ for both singles and doubles
Padel
- Played on an enclosed court, ideally inside out of the weather elements
- Walls are part of the game
- Predominantly a doubles sport
- Balls - tennis ball with 10% less pressure, ideal for better play off the glass walls
- Racquets - Solid racquet, no strings, holes cut into the head
- Court Size - 33’ x 66’ Padel-specific enclosed court with a turf surface
Platform Tennis
- Primarily a winter sport played in the Northeast United States
- Raised court allows for heating system to be placed underneath
- Same scoring as tennis
- Balls - spongy, rubber ball 2.5” in diameter
- Racquets - Paddles made of composite material with holes in the head, longer handles
- Court Size - 60’ x 21’ for singles, 60’ x 27’ for doubles (shortened tennis court)
POP Tennis
- Same scoring as tennis
- One underhand serve
- Essentially tennis, just with a shorter court
- Balls - Low compression “green dot” tennis ball
- Racquets - Short, solid racquet with holes cut into the head; lighter than Padel racquets
- Court Size - 60’ shorter tennis court with blended lines
Beach Tennis
- Combination of tennis and volleyball
- Played mostly in doubles
- Same rules as tennis but with some scoring modifications
- Balls - Stage 2 low compression orange balls
- Racquets - Solid paddle made out of wood, carbon or Kevlar; rounded-rectangle shape
- Court Size - Played on a beach volleyball court: 52.5’ x 26.24’
