There’s nothing quite as frustrating as showing up to your local courts, ready to play pickleball, only to find every court full and a line of players waiting. Meanwhile, right next door, there are empty tennis courts just sitting there, practically calling your name.

We’ve all been in that situation. And sometimes, when the wait is too long, you’ve got to get creative and make do with what’s available.

Here’s how you can play pickleball on a tennis court.

The pickleball net

The simplest way to play pickleball on a tennis court is to lower the tennis net to 34 inches at the center. You can do this by adjusting the center strap, and if needed, loosening the tension using the ratchet on the net post so the net drops more easily.

If portable nets are available or you’ve brought your own, you can skip adjusting the tennis net altogether. Just set the portable net across the court, aligning it with the center of the kitchen and leaving seven feet on each side.

If the pickleball lines are already painted or taped on, you’re all set to start playing.

If not, you’ll need to tape out the lines yourself before getting started.

Taping out pickleball court lines

Some tennis courts have adapted to the rise of pickleball by adding dedicated court lines, usually painted in a different color like yellow or orange to distinguish them from the tennis markings.

But if those lines aren’t already in place, you’ll need to get to work.

Before you start taping lines, check with the facility to make sure it’s allowed. These are shared, community courts, so be mindful and respectful of others using the space.

There are a few different ways to set up a pickleball court on a tennis court. You can create one pickleball court per tennis court, fit two side by side, or even set up four smaller courts depending on the space and layout.

Click here to check the official dimensions and court diagrams so you can set up your pickleball court correctly.

Have you temporarily converted a tennis court to match your pickleball needs? Let us know on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).