How to Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court (The Complete Aussie Guide)

Pickleball is booming across Australia — but finding a dedicated pickleball court isn’t always easy. The good news? You can absolutely play pickleball on a standard tennis court with just a few adjustments. Many Aussies first learn to play on tennis courts!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to set up a pickleball game on a tennis court — whether you’re planning a casual hit with mates or want to practice more seriously. We’ll cover:

• What gear you need
  
• How to mark out the court (with and without tape)
  
• The key differences in dimensions
  
• How to convert a tennis court for singles or doubles
  
• Tips for portable nets, shared spaces, and line visibility
  

New to the game? (Check out our beginner basics article here)

Okay, let’s get into it.

Can You Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court?

Yes — and it’s one of the easiest ways to get started. A tennis court gives you plenty of room to set up one (or even several) pickleball courts, and the surface is perfect for movement and bounce. You can check if there’s a dedicated pickleball court near you here. If your local club hasn’t installed permanent lines yet, don’t worry. With some chalk, cones, or tape, you can DIY a court pretty easily.

Tennis vs Pickleball Court: Key Differences

To play properly, it helps to understand how pickleball courts differ from tennis courts. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown:

As you can see, a tennis court is much larger, so you’ll be working within its boundaries to create a more compact playing area.

Equipment You’ll Need

To play pickleball on a tennis court, here’s what you’ll need:

• Pickleball paddles – Lighter than tennis racquets, with a solid face. Some really great ones sold here.
• Pickleballs – Perforated plastic balls; we recommend outdoor balls for tennis courts. Also great ones here.
• Tape, chalk, or court markers – For marking lines. Tape is what we recommend - visible, neat, and you can easily remove it afterwards.
• Portable net (optional) – A regulation pickleball net is lower than a tennis net, so using a portable one gets you closer to the real experience.
• Court shoes – For grip and support.

Quick Setup: Mini Pickleball Using Tennis Lines

This is the easiest method. If you’re just trying the game out or don’t want to measure anything yet, you can do a “mini” game across the service boxes.

Here’s how:

1. Use the tennis net as-is.
2. Play with the end of the service box acting as the baseline.
3. Mark a kitchen line (2.13m from the net) using cones, tape, or your imagination. You can make the Kitchen shorter if you like.
4. Keep rallies casual and get a feel for the game mechanics.

This is perfect for a spontaneous hit, warm-up, or intro game.

Regulation Setup: Full Pickleball Court on a Tennis Court

If you want to replicate the full pickleball experience, here’s how to set up a standard court over a tennis court:

Option 1: Set Up One Pickleball Court

Use part of the tennis court:

1. Measure and mark the boundaries
   • Court size: 6.1m wide x 13.4m long
   • Start at the middle of the net and walk out 6.7m. Mark the middle of the baseline here (it should be just past the service box lines on the tennis court).
   • The baseline extends 3.05m in each direction from this middle point.
   • Once you have your baseline marked out, mark out the lines from the end of the baseline to the net.
2. Mark the Kitchen
   • From the net, measure 2.13m back on each side and draw a line parallel to the net.
   • This is the No-Volley Zone or “Kitchen”.
3. Adjust the net
   • If you’re able to, you can wind the net down slightly until it sits at 86.4cm in the middle and 91.4cm on the sides.
   • If you do this, please remember to wind the net back up when you’re done! It’s good to be courteous and kind! 😊

Option 2: Fit Four Pickleball Courts on One Tennis Court

If you’ve got the gear and the space, you can fit four pickleball courts (two on each side of the tennis net, perpendicular to the tennis baseline). This setup is perfect for clubs, events, or casual tournaments.

You'll need:

• 4 portable nets
• Measuring tape and line markers
• Players who are okay with the courts being close together

This layout maximises usage of the space, but make sure to allow enough room between courts for safe movement.

Tips for Playing Pickleball on a Tennis Court

• Visibility matters: Use bright-coloured tape (like blue or yellow) to make lines stand out against tennis markings.
• Check surface bounce: Outdoor pickleballs are better on tennis court surfaces — they’re heavier and bounce lower.
• Join a local club: Many clubs have already set up pickleball lines and welcome new players.

Councils and Shared Courts

Across Australia, more councils are now painting official pickleball lines onto public tennis courts to allow for shared use. If you’ve noticed new lines or weird markings on your local court — it could be pickleball lines already installed.

You can also reach out to your local council or sports club and request lines be added. The more interest they see, the more likely they are to support the sport.

Practice Drills You can Do on a Tennis Court

Even if you don’t have a partner, tennis courts are a great place to drill solo. Here are some of the best drills:

• Wall dinks: Practice soft hits against the wall to get your dinking game sharp.
• Kitchen control: Use cones or tape to practise foot placement and movement near the No-Volley Zone.
• Serve practice: Use the full length of the court to get your underarm serve accurate and consistent.

Pickleball Minigames

You don’t need to play a standard game of pickleball either. There’s a bunch of fun games to get into if you’re on court with a crew. Here are some of our favourites:

• Around the world: If you played tennis (or table tennis!) you’ve probably played this. It’s well known for a reason - it’s so damn fun! Split the group in half and form them into two lines, behind the baselines on each side. Start a rally between the two players at the front - but the key here is after a player hits the ball they run and join the back of the line on the opposite side! Any player who messes up moves off to the side until two players are left. These players spin once after each hit instead of running to the opposite side of the court. Last player left is the winner!
• You go I go: Doubles pickleball but only one paddle on each side! After each hit give your paddle to your partner so they can take the next shot. Lots of laughs with this one.
• Kitchen King (or Queen): This one’s perfect for practising soft hands and control. Everyone lines up behind the kitchen line (the no-volley zone), paddles in hand. You’re only allowed to hit dinks — that means no slamming, no volleys, and no stepping back past the kitchen line. One player starts the rally. If you hit it too hard, step out of the zone, or miss your shot, you’re out. Winner stays on, and the next challenger steps in.

Why these games are great:

• Sharpens your short game
• Builds control and patience
• Encourages laughter and social interaction
• Gets competitive fast

Why Pickleball On A Tennis Court Is a Great Aussie Option

Australia’s love of outdoor sports makes tennis courts an ideal playground for casual pickleball. There’s no need for expensive gear, and the setup can be done in minutes. Whether you’re in a city or a regional town, chances are there’s a tennis court nearby — and that means pickleball is within reach.

Wrapping Up: You Don’t Need a Dedicated Court to Play

Pickleball is made for flexibility — literally. Whether you're chalking up a court with your mates or investing in a full portable net setup, playing on a tennis court is one of the best ways to get involved.

You’ll have:

• More space than you need
• A surface built for racquet sports
• The ability to set up anywhere, anytime

So don’t wait for the perfect court. Grab a paddle, find a tennis court, and give it a crack.

Looking for the right gear?
At Little Court Co, we design paddles, balls, and accessories made for Aussies who love the game but don’t take themselves too seriously. Stylish, balanced, and built for good rallies and good laughs. Explore our kits, grab a three-pack of balls, and set up your first tennis-court sesh this weekend.