What Tennis Players Should Expect When Trying a New Racquet Sport

It’s no secret that racquet sports are on the rise—and for tennis players, that’s a great thing. A growing wave of interest means a larger on-court community and more opportunities to play, compete, and enjoy these sports around the world. We’ve seen firsthand many of our public, private and resort facilities investing in new courts to not only entice outside players, but to elevate the experience of their tennis-playing regulars. And if you haven’t already, chances are you’ll soon be invited to step onto one of these new and fast-growing courts.

As lifelong tennis players who once viewed “other” racquet sports with a fair amount of skepticism, we understand the hesitation. But since embracing this expanding landscape, we’ve learned a few things that are helpful to remember before stepping onto a new court.

Familiar Foundations, New Adjustments

Perhaps the best part of expanding your racquet sports repertoire is that, as a tennis player, your learning curve will be shorter than you think. Footwork patterns, swing mechanics, timing, and hand-eye coordination all provide a strong foundation that transfers naturally to other court sports.

That said, the most common misstep is assuming every racquet sport is simply tennis in a different format. You might catch yourself grinding from the baseline in a pickleball rally or overpowering shots in the more finesse-driven game of padel. Each sport has its own rhythms, strategies, and tactical priorities—distinct from tennis in subtle but important ways. Some of your tennis skills will give you an edge; others will need refining. The key is recognizing the difference and respecting each game on its own terms.

Differences in Strategy to Expect—And Embrace

Of course, no written guide can capture every nuance of a new racquet sport. The real understanding comes from stepping onto the court and experiencing the flow of the game for yourself. What we can offer, however, is a helpful preview of the common pitfalls tennis players tend to encounter when trying pickleball or padel for the first time so you can adjust faster and enjoy the process even more.

Pickleball may remind you of learning to play doubles in tennis, as the basic premise is similar—moving forward and controlling the net is where you gain the advantage. Unlike tennis, however, where your goal is to close in tight and finish points at the net, pickleball requires discipline and self-control to avoid stepping into the non-volley zone—the “kitchen”—where volleys are prohibited. You’ll also need to master a new shot, the “dink,” a soft, controlled stroke that rewards patience and precision while helping you develop quick hands and sharp reflexes without ever crossing into the kitchen.

Padel blends elements of tennis and racquetball into a fast-paced, highly strategic game. Your tennis athleticism, footwork, and hand–eye coordination transfer seamlessly, and skills like slicing and confident net volleys become powerful assets on the padel court. Much like pickleball, however, success requires discipline—prioritizing smart placement and patience over sheer power. And perhaps the biggest adjustment is learning to play the ball off the walls, a distinctive feature of padel that introduces an exciting learning curve and adds a dynamic new dimension to shot-making.

Don’t Be Surprised If You Love It

Tennis is a unique, special sport that drew all of us in one way or another. No racquet sport could ever replace it, but you might be surprised how much you enjoy pickleball or padel once you respect the nuances of each game.

As tennis players, we also understand the mental and physical fatigue that can come from chasing precision in such a technically demanding game day after day. That’s often the perfect moment to step onto a different court. A new racquet sport can refresh your perspective, reignite your competitive spark, and ultimately send you back to the tennis court with renewed energy and enthusiasm. And along the way, don’t be surprised if you find yourself genuinely falling in love with a new game.