Let’s compare pickleball point length and actual play time to tennis. Buckle your seat belt, as the facts are quite stunning! Statistic #1: What is the average length of a point in tennis versus pickleball?

Despite the fact that we remember the extra-long points in both sports, the average point length in tennis is only three shots. That includes the serve and return of serve, making those two shots disproportionately important. How does this tennis point

length compare to pickleball? The average point length in pickleball is three times longer than tennis, at nine ball strikes per point! How is this possible? Two primary reasons: first, the serve is far less dominant in pickleball than tennis; and second, the rules in pickleball encourage touch shots due to the kitchen line rule being an important part of the sport.

Statistic #2: What is the average amount of time per hour that the ball is in play in tennis versus pickleball?

Now let’s take that a step further. Considering the breaks between points, we have analyzed how much time is spent playing versus waiting in both sports. In every hour of tennis, the ball is in play just 11-12 minutes! It may sound crazy, but this is an accurate statistic. How about pickleball? In every hour of pickleball, the ball is in play much longer... a total of 26-28 minutes!

CONCLUSION
Armed with this information, pickleball players can now discuss the benefits of pickleball over tennis much more clearly than ever before. Pickleball offers more cardiovascular exercise and fitness than tennis. The truth is in the statistics!