Games Like Tennis: Your Next Racket Sports

Best Tennis Alternatives for Beginners

1. Pickleball

Pickleball is perfect for beginners seeking fun without the intense pace of tennis. Played on a smaller court with paddles and a plastic ball, it’s easy to learn yet highly engaging. This accessible game offers quick rallies and social play, making it one of the most inviting racquet sports to try.

Read Also: Difference Between Pickleball and Tennis

2. Soft Tennis

Soft tennis, a unique twist on traditional tennis, uses a softer rubber ball and lighter gear, making it gentler for newcomers. It offers longer rallies and less arm strain, making it an excellent choice for those who want a lighter, more approachable way to enjoy the essence of tennis.

Competitive Tennis Alternatives

3. Padel

Padel is one of the fastest-growing tennis-type games, originating in Mexico and hugely popular in Spain. It’s played on a smaller court with walls. You use solid paddles and soft balls. You can hit off the walls, which adds strategy. It’s easy to learn, super social, and perfect for fast rallies and fun doubles matches.

Helpful Article: Padel guide for beginners

4. Squash

Squash is a fast and intense game. It’s a top choice in racquet sports. You hit the ball off the wall in quick turns. Matches are short but demanding. Players need speed, stamina, and control. It’s competitive, exciting, and ideal for indoor players who love nonstop action.

5. Racquetball

Racquetball is a popular choice within racket games, played indoors without a net, where players keep the ball in play by hitting it off walls. Fast-paced rallies test reflexes and endurance, creating thrilling matches. It’s an ideal competitive alternative for anyone who loves dynamic, all-around athletic action similar to tennis.

Fun & Casual Tennis Alternatives

6. Beach Tennis

Beach tennis is pure fun. It mixes tennis and beach vibes. Played on sand, it uses paddles and a softer ball. The net is high, and rallies stay in the air. It’s one of the best sports like tennis for sunshine, friends, and a relaxed, active day outdoors.

7. Table Tennis (Ping Pong)

Table tennis feels like tennis in miniature. It’s fast and sharp. Just grab a paddle, a ball, and a table. Easy to learn but tricky to master. It’s perfect indoors. It’s one of the top sports similar to tennis and keeps your reflexes and focus sharp while having fun.

8. Platform Tennis

Platform tennis shines in winter. Played outdoors on heated courts, it’s quick and exciting. Solid paddles and special balls handle cold weather. It’s smaller than tennis and full of volleys. It’s one of those cool games with rackets that keep you active and social, even when it’s chilly outside.

9. POP Tennis

POP Tennis is easy and social. It’s often called paddle tennis. Courts are smaller, and paddles replace racquets. Scoring is just like tennis. It’s dynamic but beginner-friendly. Many love it for casual play and meeting new people. It’s perfect if you want tennis action without the full court commitment.

Less Common Tennis Alternatives

10. Badminton

Badminton is fast and agile. It uses a shuttlecock instead of a ball. Rackets are lightweight and easy to swing. You play on a smaller court, often indoors. Quick reflexes and sharp footwork are key. It’s a great pick for anyone who loves sports similar to tennis but with lighter movement.

11. Basque Pelota

Basque Pelota is thrilling and fast. Specific forms like Jai alai are often called the world’s fastest ball game, with balls reaching incredible speeds. Players hit the ball using a racket, bat, or a curved basket against a wall. It’s usually played in doubles. Originating in Spain, it’s intense and dynamic. Rules vary slightly depending on the court and equipment used.

12. Fives

Fives is a unique game. Players use their bare or gloved hands to strike the ball. Courts include walls, and there’s no racket involved. It’s also called Hand-Tennis or Hand-Pelota. There are different styles of Fives, like Rugby Fives or Eton Fives, each with small gameplay variations. It’s quirky, historic, and surprisingly competitive.

If you’re on the hunt for a new challenge, a fun social outing, or simply a fresh way to stay active, these tennis-like games bring a delightful mix of enjoyment and friendly competition.