A beginner’s guide to tennis, padel, and pickleball
These days, it seems like everyone and their mothers (and fathers) have picked up some form of racket sport, spending weekends with friends at clubhouses or newly-opened sports facilities. And thanks to the Alex Eala craze and the abrupt rise in popularity of both pickleball and padel, Filipinos are hitting the courts and working on their serves.
All three of today’s trendiest racket sports—tennis, pickleball, and padel—are a great way to break a sweat and play some friendly competitions, while making cool new acquaintances along the way.
It’s time to get in on the fun. If you’ve been standing on the sidelines wondering which one is actually for you, this guide breaks it all down so you can pick up the right racket on your very first try.
Tennis, padel, and pickleball in a nutshell
Tennis: The classic. It’s the one your parents probably played when they were younger. It’s the one you’ve seen on TV and film (shoutout to the 2024 Luca Guadagnino heavy hitter “Challengers”), and also the one with the most prestige.
The beloved sport is played on a very large open court—grass, clay, turf, shell, or hard—and it rewards athleticism, technique, and patience. The learning curve is tough and you will probably not be able to serve properly for many months, but the payoff is worth it.
Padel: Basically tennis’ trendier, more social younger sibling. Born in Mexico in the 1960s and now exploding across Europe and Latin America, padel is played in a smaller enclosed court with glass walls that are actually part of the game, making it a tricky one to learn.
It’s doubles-only by default, fast-paced, and very fun from your very first session.
Pickleball: Pickleball is arguably the fastest-growing sport in the world right now. Played on a small court (the smallest of the three) with a perforated plastic ball and solid paddles, it combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.
It was invented in a backyard in the USA in 1965, becoming a cultural phenomenon especially in the past decade. If you are unsure about your athletic talents and simply want to have a grand time with friends and sweat a little, then pickleball might be for you.
Playing the game
The biggest practical difference for a beginner is court size and equipment. Tennis gives you the most space and demands the most from your arms and legs. Padel’s walls create unpredictable bounces that make rallies longer and more exciting with less effort. Pickleball’s compact court means you’re never far from the action, and the easy, underhand serve alone removes one of tennis’ biggest early frustrations.
How hard are they to learn, anyway?
For the casual player: Pickleball
This one is the most beginner-friendly racket sport around. The paddle is forgiving, the court is small, and the underhand serve is easy to master in minutes. Most people have a genuinely fun rally within their first 30 minutes of play. But more serious players may get bored with the lack of challenge.
Choose pickleball if you want to have fun ASAP. It’s great to play with older family members or mixed-ability groups, and if you have limited mobility or are returning from injury. It’s also perfect if you just want a sport you can play in a parking lot with minimal gear.
Price point: ₱
Where to try: pickleballhub-vigor.com/booking
For those up for a challenge: Padel
Its technique is simpler than tennis; you don’t need a complex swing to generate power. And the walls add a layer of strategy that takes time to read. Most beginners feel pretty competent after a few sessions, and the social doubles format means there’s always someone more experienced on court to guide you.
Choose padel if you love the social side of sport, you enjoy strategy and quick reflexes, you want something fresh and fast-growing, or you already play a bit of tennis and want a lower-pressure alternative.
Price point: ₱₱
Where to try: playpadelphilippines.com/
For the committed sportsman: Tennis
Taking it up isn’t exactly going to be a walk in the park. It has the steepest learning curve of the three, and mastering the serve alone can take weeks (or years). Footwork and consistency all demand real, hard practice before a rally feels truly fluid.
Think of it like learning to drive a manual car: satisfying once you get it, but definitely not something you’ll nail in one afternoon.
Choose tennis if you want a lifelong sport that’ll stick with you until you get old. It’s ideal if you’re competitive and enjoy mastering complex skills, you love watching the pro game, and want to connect with it.
Price point: ₱₱₱
Where to try: instagram.com/proservemanila
Just get up and serve
The best racket sport is the one you’ll actually play. All three are good for your body, and it’s better than just watching sports on TV. You’ll make a lot of friends (maybe even a community), and it’s more fun than hopping on a treadmill.
If you can afford it, try all three before committing to just one. Once you step onto that court and feel your first clean hit, you’ll know exactly which one has your name on it.
This story was originally published in Multisport 2026 issue 2
