How To Convert A Tennis Court For Pickleball: Dimensions & Net Height Explained

Apr 18, 2024

Have you recently taken up pickleball? If so, you may be struggling to find somewhere to play. Experience Pickleball explains how you can play your favorite game on a nearby tennis court, with just a few, small adaptations.

You’ve recently taken up pickleball but don’t have a dedicated pickleball court anywhere near you. You love the game, but not enough to drive cross-state! Before you pack away your paddle and wiffle ball for good, you might want to consider another option. Your local area has tons of tennis courts! Will they do? Well, great minds ‘dink’ alike, as Experience Pickleball is here to explain how you can easily transform your local tennis court into a pickleball playing area. 

Find out more at https://experiencepickleball.com/how-to-play-pickleball-on-a-tennis-court/

Their guide is aimed at helping pickleball players who don’t have access to a pickleball court mark out gameplay for use on a tennis court. With advice on net heights, court dimensions, and court lines, Experience Pickleball covers all the necessary specifications for setting up a temporary pickleball court.

The Rise of Pickleball

According to data from The Pickleball Dinks, pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in America in 2023. With over 36.5 million players, the sport is taking the country by storm, increasing demand for dedicated pickleball courts.

As reported by Places2Play, there are currently 10,724 pickleball court locations across the US, with 1,048 of these based in California (shame you don't live in California, hey). As the popularity of pickleball continues to grow, players in smaller states, with fewer dedicated pickleball courts, may need to think outside the box. If you're struggling to find a location play, do not fear! Experience Pickleball has all the information you need to adapt a tennis court for pickleball play by marking out new court dimensions and reconfiguring net height.

According to the Tennis Industry Association, there are approximately 270,000 tennis courts across the U.S., making them an accessible choice for pickleball adaptation. As pickleball court dimensions are much smaller than their tennis counterparts, a standard tennis court can accommodate as many as four courts, increasing accessibility for local players. So gather up all your mates and enjoy the fun of pickleball together!

How do I adapt a tennis court for pickleball?

Experience Pickleball's guide discusses the differences in net height, with a pickleball net sitting approximately two inches lower than the center of a tennis net. When adapting your tennis court for pickleball play, remember to adjust the net accordingly to be 36 inches off the ground near the poles and 34 inches from the midpoint.

When marking out the new dimensions (44ft long and 20ft wide), don't forget to include the kitchen zone, otherwise known as the no-volley zone. Damien Dansel, of Experience Pickleball, recommends using chalk to do so, as this can be easily reversed to preserve the original condition of the court. “Make sure you have calculated the dimensions correctly, and draw the length and width of your court, as well as the service line and kitchen zone,” he says.

It's time to transform your court, gather up your friends and enjoy the wonders of pickleball. For more pickleball tips and tricks, head over to https://experiencepickleball.com/

Web Analytics