Tennis is one of the most popular racquet sports in the world. It is a sport that people enjoy because it is fast-paced and dynamic. However, if you can’t or don’t want to play tennis, there are many games similar to tennis that provide the same thrill and challenge.
We will look at nine alternatives to tennis that can keep you active and allow you to engage in an active lifestyle.
1. Badminton
Badminton is a great game to play if you look for something similar to tennis. The game is enjoyable because it is easy to learn and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball players should have an easy time adapting. In addition, it is a fast-paced and competitive sport that you can play indoors or outdoors. It’s one of the more popular racket sports in Asia.
The game’s object is to hit the shuttlecock with your racket, so it goes over the net and hits the ground in your opponent’s half of the court. When your opponent cannot hit the shuttlecock before it hits the ground, you score a point. It is played to 21 points.
Badminton courts are rectangular courts with a net in the middle. The badminton court is 44 feet long and 17 feet wide for singles. For doubles, the court is 20 feet wide.
What do you need to play badminton?
You need badminton racquets and a shuttlecock to play badminton. More information about the sport can be found a USA Badminton.
2. Squash
As an alternative to tennis, squash is also a fun game. The game is very fast-paced, requiring quick reflexes and fine hand-eye coordination. In addition, it is a strategic game that requires players to think ahead to outwit their opponents.
Squash is played on a four-walled court indoors with a rubber ball by two to four people. Using their racquets, the players hit the ball into the wall, making it difficult for the opponent to return the ball.
There are two main scoring methods in squash: P.A.R. (Point A Rally) and HIHO (Hand-In-Hand-Out). In PAR, the winner is the first team to win 11 points in each of five games. In HIHO, it is only possible to score points when you serve, and games are played on a first-to-nine basis.
What do you need to play squash?
Squash requires squash racquets, a squash ball, and comfortable clothing. Read more about it at US Squash.
3. Beach Tennis
Typically played on a beach, beach tennis is a tennis game mostly played on sand. This game is fun because it is a fast-paced, exciting sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. It is easy to learn and can be played on any surface, making it an ideal activity for a day at the beach or a picnic in the park.
Besides keeping fit and active, beach tennis is also a great way to meet new people and make friends. Both teams have two players who must hit the ball over the net into their opponent’s court.
Beach Tennis has almost the same rules and scoring system as tennis, except that it has no-advantage scoring, no service let, or second serve. Additionally, unlike tennis, the point is over if the ball touches the ground.
What do you need to play beach tennis?
Beach tennis requires rackets or paddles and a beach ball.
4. Soft Tennis
There are many similarities between soft tennis and tennis, except that the ball is softer. There are many reasons why it is such a fun sport. The sport is an excellent way to get exercise, it’s a social activity, and it’s a great way to learn new skills. You can play it indoors and outdoors.
Soft tennis originated in Japan, and you can play it in singles and doubles. It is also suited for younger players. One player plays until they cannot return the ball, at which point the other player is declared the winner. Rather than tie-breaks, soft tennis has a “final game” at 3-all in singles or 4-all in doubles.
What do you need to play soft tennis?
The sport is played with a light racquet and a soft ball.
5. Platform Tennis
Another sport that is similar to tennis is platform tennis. The game is fun because it is fast-paced, requires quick reflexes, and gives you a good workout at the same time. It is also a relatively easy game to learn, and anyone can take part in playing it regardless of their age.
James Cogswell and Fessenden Blanchard invented the game in 1928. It is similar to tennis, but it is played on a smaller, fence-surrounded court with paddle-shaped racquets. In appearance, the ball is similar to a regular tennis ball, but it is made of sponge material and has a heavier feel.
The dimensions of a platform tennis court are 44 feet long by 20 feet wide, with the same markings as a regular tennis court. Scores are recorded the same way as with regular tennis.
What do you need to play platform tennis?
You will need a paddle and a platform ball to play the game.
6. Table Tennis
Table tennis is a racket sport played by two or four players on a table. It is also known as ping-pong in some countries. Playing table tennis is fun because it is a challenging and strategic game that people of all ages and abilities can play.
It is a great activity for social gatherings because you can play it competitively or leisurely. It is also a low-impact sport, so it is easy on the joints and muscles.
Two or four players use small rackets to hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth. The game is played on a hard rectangular table divided by a net. Each player must allow a ball to bounce once on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the other side. You score points when a player fails to return the ball within the rules.
What do you need to play table tennis?
Table tennis is played with a table tennis racket and a ping-pong ball.
7. Padel Tennis
Padel is a racquet sport similar to tennis but played in enclosed courts by two teams of two. The game originated in Mexico in the 1970s and is now widespread in Europe and South America. It is one of the fastest-growing racquet sports in the world. Playing padel tennis can be fun for people of all ages and abilities. Learning the sport is easy, especially if you can play tennis.
Padel is played on a padel tennis court that is 32 feet wide and 65 feet long, with a net in the middle. Glass walls surround the court. The game’s object is to hit the ball over the net and into your opponent’s court while making it difficult for them to do the same. The game is played in doubles.
What do you need to play padel tennis?
Padel tennis requires a padel racket, padel shoes, and three padel balls.
8. POP Tennis
Let’s take a look at one of the more popular racquet sports in the US, another game similar to tennis. It is called POP Tennis, sometimes referred to as paddle tennis. Recreational players enjoy it because it is easy to learn and does not require a lot of equipment. It is fun to play pop tennis because it is such a dynamic game. Furthermore, it is a very social game, and you can meet a lot of new people while playing it.
Two or four people can play paddle tennis, and the rules are very similar to traditional tennis rules. POP tennis follows the same scoring system as traditional tennis, and the same rules decide tiebreakers as tennis.
What do you need to play POP tennis?
All you need to play POP tennis is a paddle racquet or paddle, a POP tennis ball, and non-marking shoes.
9. Touch Tennis
Touch tennis is a game similar to tennis that is played with a softball and racket on a smaller court. People of all ages and skill levels can enjoy playing this relatively simple game. Moreover, touch tennis is a social game that you can play with friends or family. Last but not least, touch tennis is an excellent way to stay active.
A rectangular court with a net in the middle is used for the game. Touch tennis courts measure 39 feet × 16 feet for singles and 39 feet × 20 feet for doubles. Tennis-like rules apply, but the participants use foam balls and shorter 21-inch tennis racquets.
What do you need to play touch tennis?
You’ll need a touch tennis racquet and a foam touch tennis ball to play touch tennis. You can easily improvise a touch tennis court in the garden.
What about pickleball?
We didn’t include pickleball on this list of racket sports because it has been covered in a separate article where you can learn more about pickleball rules, top pickleball paddles, pickleball shoes, and how to find a pickleball court near you.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an active way to spend some time with friends or family, these nine games similar to tennis, are a great way to get moving and have some fun. So, get out there and give one of them a try!