We understand the struggle. Pickleball is taking the nation by storm, yet you’re still on the hunt for a local spot to play. It seems like your city officials are more behind-the-times than Tom from MySpace using a flip phone. Despite the growing popularity of pickleball, there’s still no dedicated pickleball court in sight. But every time you pass your local park, you notice those lonely tennis courts sitting vacant yet again. It sparks a thought: is it possible to play pickleball on a tennis court?
The short answer: yes, you can.
And in this article we will cover:
- How Do You Play Pickleball on a Regular Tennis Court?
- Can You Make a Pickleball Court From a Tennis Court?
- Permanent vs Temporary Court Options
- Real-Life Case Study of a Temporary Pickleball Court Built On a Tennis Court
- Step-by-Step Process to Set Up a Temporary Pickleball Court
- How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Tennis Court?
With some minor adjustments, you can be playing pickleball on a tennis court in no time.
And we will show you how.
Can You Play Pickleball On a Tennis Court?
Pickleball can be played on any smooth asphalt or concrete surface.
Around the United States, pickleball players have been playing on tennis courts for several years. And for outdoor play, tennis courts are a great option for pickleball in public parks.
If you are looking to play indoors, many tennis clubs have converted tennis courts for pickleball play, and local rec centers have also adapted gym surfaces.
But if your community has not installed indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, asphalt tennis courts are a great way to have a pickleball game while you wait for pickleball courts to be built.
And if you take the right steps, it’s actually quite simple to set up a court.
How Do You Play Pickleball on a Regular Tennis Court? Can You Make a Pickleball Court From a Tennis Court?
With the difference in dimensions between the pickleball and tennis courts, you will need to take time to set up a pickleball court on a tennis playing surface.
As you prepare for that, you have three different options:
- Use the existing tennis court with minor adjustments for pickleball
- Build a temporary pickleball court on top of the tennis court
- Build a permanent pickleball court on a tennis court
Let’s look at each option more in-depth.
Using the Tennis Court With Minor Alterations for Pickleball: Pros and Cons
With a few simple adjustments, you can use the existing tennis court to play pickleball.
In order to play this way, you will split the court in half down the center line to make it more similar to the size of a pickleball court. In this format, the center line becomes a sideline and then the the singles or doubles line becomes the other out-of-bounds sideline.
You can use the net strap to lower the net to pickleball height and you are ready to play pickleball–although with an imperfect setup.
While this is the easiest conversion option, it leaves a lot to be desired.
In this plan, you won’t have any lines for the non-volley zone (or kitchen), a 7-foot area by the net on a pickleball court.
And the court itself will be deeper than a standard pickleball court.
Pros
- Simplest way to convert the court
- Quick to setup
Cons
- Different size than an actual pickleball court
- You don’t have any markings for the kitchen
- The net won’t be the exact right height all the way across
Verdict: You can play pickleball this way, but we wouldn’t recommend it. It changes the gameplay and court setup too drastically.
Permanent Pickleball Court on Tennis Court: Pros and Cons
You can also take more drastic steps by permanently converting a tennis court into new pickleball courts.
While this is costly and time-consuming, it can be done.
Here are some steps to take if you want to permanently convert an outdoor court:
- Remove the tennis posts and net from the court.
- Cap the holes where the net post was located or resurface the entire court to prepare it for new courts.
- Measure off 30 feet wide by 60 feet long for each pickleball court that you will install. This is the minimum recommended space for a court, according the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). While the pickleball court size is 20 feet by 44 feet, the USAPA recommends the extra space in the boundaries for safety.
- Install posts for all pickleball courts.
- Paint the pickleball court surfaces different colors from the original surface. For example, if the tennis court concrete was green, paint the pickleball court area blue to set the court apart.
- Paint the permanent pickleball lines (sideline, center line, kitchen line, and more).
- Set up the net, hooking it from post to post on each court.
For more information on how to build a permanent pickleball court, check out this blog post by the USAPA on how to complete an outdoor pickleball court construction.
Pros
- You get a designated pickleball court that isn’t shared with other sports.
- Clean and professional court
- Permanent lines: this removes the confusion that can come from criss-crossing tennis and pickleball lines on a temporary court
Cons
- Very expensive
- Extended timeframe to complete installation
- Have to get the backing of your city officials before converting a public space
- Takes away tennis courts from the community
Verdict: A permanent court is a good option for those with the money and time to complete it. If you have financial backing from your city government, we say go for it. But plan for the long haul. You won’t be playing pickleball tomorrow or for a few months.
Temporary Pickleball Court on Tennis Court: Pros and Cons
As you look at your options, you could also leave the existing tennis courts in tact and set up a temporary pickleball court on the surface.
This process is simple and quick–you don’t even have to remove the tennis net.
You only need a pickleball net, some tape, and an understanding of pickleball court dimensions, and you are well on your way.
Simply, measure the court area, tape the lines, and place the net, and you are ready to play.
When you are done playing, leave the court lines taped and move the net to the side. Since it is portable, tennis players can still come and use the court, and when you show up to play pickleball again, you can move the net back into place.
Later in this article, we will cover the step-by-step process to convert a tennis court into a temporary pickleball court in 30 minutes.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Doesn’t take much time
- Inexpensive
- Simple to convert back and forth between different sports
- Keeps courts open for tennis and pickleball
Cons
- Can be a little confusing during gameplay, as you will have tennis and pickleball lines criss-crossing each other
- Not good for tournament play
Verdict: In our opinion, a temporary court is the best option for public spaces, such as parks or clubs. It’s easy to put together and does not cost much to complete. And both pickleball enthusiasts and tennis players can use the courts at different times.
Can the same court be used for both pickleball and tennis simultaneously?
While you wouldn’t want to play tennis and pickleball on the same court at the same time–that would get crazy (though we’re intrigued)–you can use the same court to play the two sports interchangeably.
If you install a temporary pickleball court, you would only need to move the temporary net off of the surface and, in a matter of minutes, you will be able to play tennis.
Many temporary pickleball nets come with wheels or a light plastic frame so that they can be moved the easy way.
Playing Pickleball on a Tennis Court: A Real-Life Case Study
In a city near me, pickleball players installed temporary pickleball courts on a tennis court a few years ago.
There are two pickleball courts set up on a single tennis court, one on each side of the net.
And it was simple: they split the tennis court in half at the net. So one pickleball court is on one side of the tennis net, and the second court on the other.
For the pickleball lines, they used blue court tape and put in a ??? (brand)??? temporary pickleball net in the center of each court.
Boom: let’s play some pickleball!
I’ve played on these outdoor courts, and it’s a great setup. The courts have great boundary space beyond the sidelines, and the playing surface is perfect for pickleball.
While it is a great pickleball court option, there are times when it does get tight near the tennis court net.
There have been several instances where I have backed up for a ball and hit the tennis net on my backswing. I guess that will teach me to keep my swing short and crisp.
But overall, it’s a great space.
How To Easily Set Up a Temporary Pickleball Court On a Tennis Court: Step by Step Process
Setting up a temporary pickleball court on an existing tennis court is fun and easy.
As you prepare to set up your pickleball court, you will want to gather a few items.
What you will need to convert the court?
- Measuring tape
- Court Tape (adhesive tape) or a Temporary Marker
- Portable Pickleball Net
Okay, did you get them? Great! Now, we will walk you through every step along the way.
Step 1: Assess the Court
There are number of things to consider as you prep the court for conversion.
Before you start marking lines or setting the net, step back and look at your court.
You will want to assess and measure the court to make sure it can hold a pickleball court and be successfully converted.
Is a pickleball court the same as a tennis court?
The lines, dimensions, and surface of a pickleball court are different from a tennis court.
While they have some similarities, they are two different types of courts.
Let’s look at some of the major differences you will find as you convert the court.
Pickleball Court Dimensions vs Tennis Court Dimensions
One of the biggest differences is in the size of the court.
The size of a tennis court is 78 feet long by 36 feet wide (doubles court).
But the dimensions of a pickleball court are 44 feet long by 20 feet wide.
If you have a full-size tennis court, you should be able to easily fit the width of the pickleball court within the tennis court, but you will need to measure your length to ensure you have enough space.
Many tennis courts have a boundary area around the court surface that can be used for pickleball space as well.
A standard tennis court pad can be converted into a single pickleball court, or even up to four courts if you have enough space.
As you assess the possibilities, you have a few options depending on the size of your court:
OPTION 1: Use the tennis net and install one pickleball court down the middle of the tennis court.
OPTION 2: Split the court in half at the tennis net and install two pickleball courts–one on each side.
OPTION 3: Split the court in half at the tennis net and install two pickleball courts per side–four in total.
For more information on how to set up multiple pickleball courts on a tennis court, check out our post on How Many Pickleball Courts Fit On a Tennis Court.
How Much Space Should There Be Around a Pickleball Court?
The USAPA suggests that you have a minimum of 60 feet by 30 feet for your pickleball court. While the court is smaller, the extra area gives enough space for an out of bounds area.
But if you have the room, you should make the playing area a little bigger than the minimum.
According the to the USAPA website, officials prefer that you have a 64 foot by 34 foot space. This would provide an extra 10 feet of court at the end of each pickleball baseline, and 7 feet beyond both sidelines.
How Does The Surface Of a Tennis Court Affect Pickleball Play?
Outdoor tennis courts can be made from a variety of composite materials, ranging from concrete courts to clay courts to, even, grass.
And when you converting the court, the surface matters. It matters a lot.
Since pickleball is played with a wiffle ball, you need a hard surface court. The pickleball won’t bounce as well on clay, and it likely won’t bounce at all on a grass surface. It’s hard to play traditional pickleball on grass.
The good news: most recreational tennis courts are made of smooth concrete, which is perfect for a pickleball court.
If your tennis court has the right size and surface, choose where you want to place your court and then we are ready to starting lining the court.
Step 2: Measure and Tape Pickleball Court Lines
Once you have the spot for your court, you can grab your tape measure and begin to mark the court area.
As you start this process, it is best to measure the outer box of the court and mark it with sidewalk chalk.
Then, you can move into the lining process with a general idea of your court space.
The Court Lining Process: How do you tape a tennis court for pickleball?
Now you’re ready to start lining the court.
As you begin to line your court, you will want to choose the right tape and tape color.
Since tennis court lines are often white, we suggest using blue court tape to make a clear demarkation of the pickleball lines. Blue will provide a big difference from the white line.
You can also use short rubber strips or a line marking kit that comes with court straps, if you don’t want to tape the court.
But as you begin marking, here is a good process:
- The Box: Tape the outer box of the court first, which includes the two sidelines and baselines.
- Middle Court: Next, tape a 20-foot line in the center of the court, from sideline to sideline. This will mark the middle of the court and will be where the net will go.
- The Kitchen: After you have your net line, measure 7 feet directly out from that line toward the baseline and tape a line sideline to sideline. This is your kitchen line on one side of the court. Repeat for the other side.
- Center Line: Last, you will go to the baseline and measure in from the sideline to the middle–10 feet in total. This marking should be right in the middle of the baseline. Tape from that mark to the kitchen line on both sides. This creates the center line and splits the service area.
Step 3: Set Up The Pickleball Net
Once you have all of your court lines in place, it’s time to set up your portable pickleball net.
If you went with the first option above–setting up your pickleball court in the middle of the tennis court–you can use the tennis net.
But take note: you will need to adjust the tennis net height.
A tennis net is 42 inches at the side posts and 36 inches in the middle. The pickleball net is 36 inches at the sides and 34 inches in the middle.
You can use the center strap to lower the middle to the correct height.
If you went with options 2 or 3 (setting up a pickleball court on one half of the tennis court) you will need to set up a temporary pickleball net.
Portable nets are a great option because you can move them on and off the court very quickly and easily.
Simply, pick up your temporary net and place it on the middle line of your court. That’s it. You’re ready to play.
What Are The Best Temporary Nets For Pickleball On a Tennis Court?
If you need to get a net for your temporary pickleball court, there are many options to choose from.
As you narrow down your options, you will want to consider your needs.
If you are going to transport the portable pickleball nets to and from the court or if you need to move it off the court regularly, you will want a lightweight option.
If you are going to leave it at the court, you will want something that can withstand the weather and elements.
Think through your specific needs and context and choose the best net for you.
As you consider, here is a list of our picks of the best temporary nets for pickleball on a tennis court:
- OnCourt OffCourt PickleNet Deluxe: This is the net we use at the local courts near me. They are durable and come with wheels to make it easy to move. And they’ve held up through ugly weather.
- Pickle-ball Portable Net System: Durable, lightweight, and easy to set up.
- SwiftNet 2.1 Pickleball Portable Net System: A little more heavy-duty. Easy to put together. Portable but has the feel and strength of a permanent net.
Extra Help Setting Up Temporary Court Setup
As you begin setting up your court, if you need extra visuals, there are some great videos on YouTube that also walk you through the process.
If you want to watch the process of taping pickleball court lines, Pickleball Central has a fantastic resource that is easy to follow.
How Much Does It Cost To Convert a Tennis Court Into a Pickleball Court?
To create a temporary pickleball court on a tennis court, you won’t need to break the bank.
For a temporary court, you only need to purchase a net and court tape.
Most temporary nets range from $150 to $400, and the court tape can be purchased for $20-30.
In total, you can probably install a court for around $350.
If you’re looking to build a permanent pickleball court on an old tennis court, the cost goes up significantly.
Let’s look at a quick breakdown of the court conversion:
1. Resurfacing Cost: $4,000-$8,000 (according to SportMaster)
2. Permanent Net System: $1,000-$2,500
3. Relining: $1,000
The conservative cost estimate for a permanent court conversion is between $6,000 and $11,000.
But it could get as high as $15,000, according to the Sports Venue Calculator website.
Playing Pickleball On a Tennis Court: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to play pickleball on a public tennis court?
You can definitely play pickleball on a public court.
However, if you are going to make any alterations–such as adding taped court lines or a temporary net–we suggest that you check with your local officials first.
Contact your local parks department or city hall to get their approval before making any significant changes.
But if you plan to simply use the tennis court lines and net, you don’t need to ask. Just get out and play this great sport for people of all ages.
Does pickleball damage tennis courts?
Pickleball does not cause any damage to tennis courts.
The game of pickleball uses a wiffle ball-style ball that is made of lightweight plastic. Compared to a tennis ball, pickleball balls are much lighter and more malleable. They won’t hurt the court.
Players’ foot traffic could cause some wear on the court, but no more than a typical tennis game.
In other words, pickleball is a safe and fun game to play on tennis courts and does not cause any noticeable damage.
Can you fit a pickleball court onto other sports courts?
You can fit a pickleball court on a variety of sports surfaces–including volleyball courts, basketball courts, and tennis courts.
A court can even be set up on an inline hockey rink or badminton court.
As long as you have a flat, hard surface, you can create your own pickleball court.
Can you play doubles pickleball on a tennis court?
With the proper net and court lines, both singles and doubles pickleball can be played on a tennis court surface.
You just need to take the time to properly convert the court to a regulation pickleball court.
How do you play pickleball without a court?
If you do not have a pickleball court, you can convert an open space into a playing surface.
You will need a hard surface, such as a cul-de-sac or flat drive way, and you can tape lines and set up a net.
A neighborhood is a perfect place for pickleball because kids and adults can both play. It’s a game for players of all ages.
Before you know it, you and your neighbors will be pickleball pros.
The Controversy
Pickleball–which combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton–has grown exponentially in the last few years to the point where it is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States.
Since it is a relatively new sport, many communities have not built pickleball courts to keep up with the pickleball craze, and many players are converting local tennis courts for pickleball.
And this is causing controversy in the racket sports and paddle sport communities because some tennis players don’t like that their courts are being used.
From San Francisco to New York, pickleball and tennis seem to be battling for court space.
But in many communities, there is room for both sports.
In my city, there are 12 tennis courts in three local parks that are rarely used, and there are no permanent outdoor pickleball courts.
But there are two temporary courts set up on one tennis court. These pickleball courts are full every morning and evening. It’s one of the most popular sports in town, but it has no permanent home.
So if you’re still searching for a pickleball court, don’t let the controversy scare you away.
Set up a temporary court and then grab your pickleball paddles and plastic ball and get to playing.
What To Do Next
If you are interested in reading more about the differences between pickleball and tennis, we have a comprehensive guide on Pickleball vs Tennis.
And once you get your court set up, if you want to take your game to the next level, we have a post on How To Play Pickleball Better with 10 tips to help you improve quickly.
Disclaimer: Pickleball Takeover is completely supported by you, the reader. This post may contain affiliate links. And we may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. But rest assured: for every product recommended, we have researched and/or used the product. Our ultimate goal is to help you get better.