THE COMPLETE
PICKLEBALL GUIDE
AUSTRALIA

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world — and Australia is no exception. Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is played on a smaller court with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. It's easy to learn, low-impact on joints, and incredibly addictive for players of all ages and fitness levels.

The sport was invented in 1965 in the United States and has exploded in popularity over the past decade. In Australia, pickleball clubs are now active in every major city — from Sydney and Melbourne to Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned racket sport player, pickleball is one of the most accessible and enjoyable sports you can pick up.

Pickleball is played on a 6.1m × 13.4m court (roughly a third the size of a tennis court). The net sits at 91.4cm at the sidelines and 86.4cm at the centre. Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2.

Key rules to know: — The serve must be hit underhand and land in the diagonal service box — The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before volleys are allowed (the "double bounce rule") — The "kitchen" (non-volley zone) is the 2.1m area on either side of the net — you cannot volley from inside it — Points can only be scored by the serving side — Singles and doubles are both common formats

A standard pickleball court measures 6.1 metres wide by 13.4 metres long — the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court. The non-volley zone (kitchen) extends 2.1 metres from the net on each side.

Courts can be set up indoors or outdoors. Many Australian tennis clubs and community centres are converting existing courts for pickleball use. You can also set up a portable net on any flat surface — a driveway, car park or basketball court all work well.

The VEXA PRO Pickleball Net is regulation size (6.7m wide × 0.86m tall at centre) and sets up in under 5 minutes — perfect for backyard or park play.

Choosing the right pickleball paddle is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a player. The paddle affects your power, control, spin and comfort — so it's worth understanding the key factors.

Paddle Face Material: Carbon fibre is the gold standard for serious players. It's lightweight, stiff and provides excellent ball bite for spin. Fibreglass is softer and more forgiving — good for beginners. Graphite sits between the two.

Core Thickness: A 16mm core (like all VEXA PRO paddles) offers the best balance of power and control. Thinner cores (13mm) give more power but less touch. Thicker cores (19mm+) maximise control.

Paddle Shape: Standard/wide-body paddles have a larger sweet spot and are more forgiving — ideal for beginners and doubles players. Elongated paddles offer more reach and leverage — preferred by singles players and those who like to attack from the baseline.

Weight: Most paddles range from 200g to 250g. Lighter paddles are easier to manoeuvre; heavier paddles generate more power. Most players prefer the 215–230g range.

Grip Size: Measure from the middle crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger. Most adults fit a 4.25" or 4.5" grip.

Pickleball is growing at an extraordinary rate in Australia. Pickleball Australia (the national governing body) reports thousands of registered players across the country, with new clubs launching every month.

Major cities with active pickleball communities include: — Sydney: Multiple clubs across the Inner West, North Shore and Western Suburbs — Melbourne: Strong presence in the Eastern Suburbs and CBD fringe — Brisbane: Growing community in the Southside and Northern suburbs — Perth: Active clubs in the Swan Valley and coastal suburbs — Adelaide: Regular social and competitive play in the Hills and CBD areas

The sport is particularly popular among 35–65 year olds, but younger players are rapidly joining as awareness grows through social media and recreational sport programs.

Australia competes at the Asia Pacific Pickleball Championships and sends players to the USA Pickleball National Championships. The sport is expected to be included in future Commonwealth Games programs.

If you're just starting out, here are the most important things to focus on:

1. Master the dink first. The dink is a soft shot that lands in the kitchen. It's the foundation of good pickleball — learn to control it before worrying about power.

2. Stay out of no man's land. The mid-court area between the baseline and the kitchen is the worst place to be. Move to the kitchen line as quickly as possible after the serve.

3. Keep the ball low. High balls get attacked. Aim to keep your shots below net height when possible — especially on your third shot.

4. Use the third shot drop. After the serve and return, the serving team should hit a soft drop shot into the kitchen to neutralise the advantage of the receiving team at the net.

5. Communicate with your partner. In doubles, call "mine" or "yours" early and often. Poaching and split decisions lose more points than bad shots.

6. Choose the right paddle. A carbon fibre paddle with a 16mm core will give you the best combination of control and power as you develop your game.