This is an unpopular opinion, but one I believe in wholeheartedly. Ping pong players adapt to the game of pickleball better than tennis players. Of course, with anything, there are exceptions. Successful tennis players are gifted athletes no matter what sport they’re playing, and will excel regardless. I find, however, that the skills needed to excel at table tennis translate well to the game of pickleball.

First, the pickleball court is small, and a ping pong table is small. The compact nature of a pickleball court mirrors the limited space of a ping pong table. Tennis courts are not small. They are in fact very large. Second, A pickleball and pickleball paddle resemble a ping pong paddle and ping pong ball more so than a tennis racket and tennis ball. The carryover is massive, and top spin is a priority in both pickleball and ping pong.

A large part of pickleball involves short, fast hits at the net. Table tennis players have extremely fast hands and sharp reflexes and that makes them better suited to the short game that makes up the majority of a pickleball match.

Strategically, ping pong encourages a game of angles and spin, skills that are highly advantageous in pickleball. Ping pong players excel at creating and responding to spins, a tactic that can be effectively employed in pickleball to outmaneuver opponents and control the pace of the game. The ability to anticipate an opponent’s moves and react swiftly is crucial in both sports.

Another significant advantage for ping pong players is the serving and volleying technique. In ping pong, the ball must bounce on both sides of the table, a rule that aligns closely with the pickleball serving regulation where the ball must also bounce once on each side before volleys can begin. This familiarity with the bounce rule gives ping pong players a strategic edge in pickleball play.

While tennis players must adjust to a smaller court and a different style of racket handling, ping pong players’ existing skill sets align more closely with the requirements of pickleball, making their transition naturally smoother and often more successful.