Padel vs Pickleball: Which Should You Try First?

Two racquet sports are taking Australia by storm right now — padel and pickleball. Both are easy to learn, incredibly social, and growing at a rapid pace. But if you've never tried either, you might be wondering: which one should I start with?

We've broken down the key differences to help you decide.

What Is Padel?

Padel is a doubles racquet sport played on an enclosed glass-walled court, roughly a third the size of a tennis court. It combines elements of tennis and squash — you can play the ball off the walls, which creates longer rallies and a more forgiving game for beginners.

It originated in Mexico in the 1960s and exploded in popularity across Spain and Latin America before making its way to Australia.

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is played on a smaller court (similar to a badminton court) with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. It blends tennis, badminton and table tennis into one fast-paced, highly social game.

It was invented in the USA in 1965 and is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world — including here in Australia.

Padel vs Pickleball: Key Differences

Court and Equipment

Difficulty for Beginners

Both sports are beginner-friendly, but in different ways.

Padel has a slightly longer learning curve because of the walls — learning to use them strategically takes time. However, the enclosed court means the ball stays in play longer, which makes rallies more achievable for beginners.

Pickleball is arguably the easiest racquet sport to pick up. The smaller court means less ground to cover, and the slower ball gives you more reaction time. Most beginners are having fun within their very first game.

Winner for beginners: Pickleball (slightly easier to start)

Social Factor

Both sports are inherently social — padel requires four players, and pickleball is most commonly played in doubles. Both have incredibly welcoming communities in Australia.

Padel courts often have a more "club" atmosphere with regular social sessions. Pickleball communities tend to be more informal and drop-in friendly.

Winner: Draw — both are excellent for meeting people

Availability in Australia

Padel courts are growing rapidly in Australia, particularly in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. However, availability is still limited compared to tennis.

Pickleball can be played on any badminton or tennis court with portable nets, making it more accessible in regional areas.

Winner for availability: Pickleball

Fitness Level Required

Padel involves more movement across a larger court and tends to be more physically demanding. Pickleball is lower impact and easier on the joints — making it popular with older adults and those returning from injury.

Winner for low impact: Pickleball

So Which Should You Try First?

Try Pickleball first if:

• You're a complete beginner to racquet sports
• You want something low-impact and easy on the joints
• You live in a regional area with limited court access
• You want to play solo (singles is common in pickleball)

Try Padel first if:

• You have some tennis or squash background
• You want a more physically demanding workout
• You love the idea of a glass-walled court and longer rallies
• You're in a major city with good court access

The Best Part? You Don't Have to Choose

Many Australians play both — and why not? They're both brilliant fun, and the skills transfer surprisingly well between the two.

The real challenge is finding people to play with. That's where Hobbimate comes in — a free app that connects you with padel and pickleball players near you in Australia.

Find a padel or pickleball partner near you →

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned player, Hobbimate makes it easy to connect, arrange a game, and get on the court.

Cost Comparison: Padel vs Pickleball in Australia

Padel costs:

• Court hire: typically $20–$40 per person per hour (split four ways)
• Beginner racquet: $80–$150
• Balls: usually provided by the venue
• Total to get started: around $100–$200 including your first few sessions

Pickleball costs:

• Court hire: often free at public courts, or $5–$15 per session at dedicated venues
• Beginner paddle: $40–$80
• Balls: $5–$15 for a pack of three
• Total to get started: around $50–$100

Pickleball is significantly cheaper to get into, which is one reason it's growing so fast in Australia. Padel court hire is higher because the courts are purpose-built and expensive to construct — but the cost is split four ways, which keeps it manageable.

Where to Play in Australia

Padel venues are concentrated in major cities. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have the most options, with new courts opening regularly. Search "padel courts near me" on Google or check Padel Australia's court finder at padelaustralia.com.au.

Pickleball is more flexible — it can be played on any badminton or tennis court with a portable net. Many community centres, schools and parks now host regular pickleball sessions. Check Pickleball Australia (pickleballaustralia.org.au) for clubs and social sessions near you.

Both sports are growing fast, which means more courts, more players and more opportunities to get involved — wherever you are in Australia.

What Padel and Pickleball Feel Like to Play

Understanding the difference between padel and pickleball goes beyond equipment and court size. The two sports feel quite different once you are actually playing.

Padel is played in an enclosed glass-and-mesh court, and the walls are part of the game. Balls can be played off the back and side walls after bouncing, which creates longer rallies and more time to recover between shots. Because padel is almost always played in doubles, there is a strong teamwork element — you and your partner move together, cover each other and communicate throughout the point. The court is larger than a pickleball court, and the game rewards movement, positioning and patience more than raw power.

Pickleball has a more compact court and uses a perforated plastic ball that travels more slowly than a tennis ball. This slower pace makes it easier to track the ball and react in time, which is one reason the sport is so accessible to beginners. Much of the game is played near the non-volley zone at the net, where soft, controlled shots called dinks decide points. Pickleball rewards touch and placement over speed, and the smaller court means less ground to cover. Singles and doubles are both common.

For anyone weighing up padel or pickleball for beginners, pickleball tends to feel more immediately manageable, while padel rewards players who enjoy learning a more layered game over time.

What to Expect at Your First Session

Your First Padel Session

Most padel venues in Australia hire out racquets and balls, so you do not need to bring your own equipment to start. Wear comfortable sports shoes with lateral support — the same shoes you would wear for tennis or squash are ideal. Avoid running shoes, which do not provide enough grip for side-to-side movement.

Beginner sessions are usually structured around learning the basic shots — the forehand, backhand and serve — before introducing wall play. Expect to spend time understanding court positioning and how to work with your partner. Padel etiquette is relaxed: introduce yourself, communicate with your partner and avoid rushing between points. Focus on getting the ball in play rather than hitting winners. Most beginners find their first session enjoyable even before they have mastered the walls.

Your First Pickleball Session

Pickleball equipment is inexpensive and widely available to hire at community venues and clubs. Wear court shoes or cross-trainers with good grip. The game moves at a pace that most beginners find comfortable from the first rally.

Introductory sessions typically cover the serve, the two-bounce rule and basic net play. The non-volley zone — the kitchen — is the most important concept to understand early, as it governs where you can and cannot volley the ball. Pickleball culture is known for being welcoming, and most clubs actively encourage new players. Arrive a few minutes early, watch a game before joining and ask questions freely. Your first session is about getting a feel for the pace and court, not about winning.

Common Questions From Australian Beginners

Is padel or pickleball easier to learn?

Pickleball is generally considered easier to pick up in the first session. The slower ball, smaller court and straightforward scoring make it accessible for people with no racquet-sport background. Padel has a steeper early learning curve because of the walls, but most beginners find it rewarding within a few sessions.

Can tennis players transition easily?

Yes, though the adjustment is different for each sport. Tennis players often find padel familiar in terms of movement and shot selection, but need to unlearn the instinct to hit hard and learn to use the walls. In pickleball, tennis players sometimes struggle with the slower pace and the restraint required near the kitchen.

Which sport provides the better workout?

Padel typically involves more movement across a larger court and longer rallies, which makes it more physically demanding overall. Pickleball is lower impact and easier on the joints, which makes it a strong option for people managing injuries or returning to exercise after a break.

Can I play without any racquet-sport experience?

Yes. Both sports are designed to be accessible to complete beginners. Pickleball in particular requires very little prior experience to enjoy a social game from the first session. Padel and pickleball in Australia both have active beginner communities, and most clubs welcome players at all levels.

Which sport is better for social play?

Both are highly social. Padel is always played in doubles, which makes every game a shared experience. Pickleball has a strong social culture at community level, with many venues running open social sessions where players rotate partners throughout the session.

How often should a beginner play?

Once or twice a week is a good starting point. Consistency matters more than frequency at the beginner stage. Playing regularly over a few months will build the muscle memory and court awareness that make both sports much more enjoyable.

How can I find padel or pickleball partners near me?

Hobbimate is built for exactly this. You can set up a profile, select padel or pickleball as your hobbies, choose your skill level and find padel or pickleball partners in your city. Rather than relying on club noticeboards or Facebook groups, Hobbimate lets you connect directly with people nearby who want to play at the same level and frequency as you.

Padel or Pickleball: The Final Decision

If you are still weighing up padel vs pickleball, the simplest guide is this: choose based on what you want from your first few sessions.

Choose pickleball if you want the most accessible entry point, lower physical impact, a compact court and a social atmosphere that welcomes complete beginners immediately. It is an excellent choice for people returning to sport after time away or those who prefer a controlled, strategic game.

Choose padel if you enjoy teamwork, want to learn a sport with more physical movement, and are drawn to the idea of using the walls as part of your game. Padel rewards players who enjoy developing their game over time and who want a doubles sport with a strong social culture.

The good news is that the difference between padel and pickleball does not mean you have to commit to one permanently. Many Australian players enjoy both. Try a session of each, see which court feels more natural and let your preference develop from there.