Table tennis vs tennis: differences and difficulty
Tennis and table tennis are different sports. Tennis uses a 78 ft (23.77 m) court, a ball of about 2 oz (57 g) and 15-30-40 scoring; table tennis uses a 9 ft (2.74 m) table, a 2.7 g ball and games to 11. Tennis allows volleys and gives two serves; in table tennis the ball always bounces and you get one serve. Which is harder depends: tennis is more physical, table tennis demands faster reactions and spin reading.
In this article
The names are similar, and table tennis actually began as an imitation of tennis played on dining tables in late 19th-century England. But today they are two very different sports, each with its own rules, equipment and demands.
This guide compares tennis (sometimes called lawn tennis) with table tennis: size, ball, rules, scoring, and the question everyone asks, which one is harder.
The differences in numbers
| Tennis | Table tennis | |
|---|---|---|
| Playing area | 78 x 27 ft court (23.77 x 8.23 m, singles) | 9 x 5 ft table (2.74 x 1.525 m) |
| Net | 3 ft (91.4 cm) at the center | 6 in (15.25 cm) above the table |
| Ball | About 2 oz (57 g), 2.6 in (6.5 to 6.9 cm), felt-covered rubber | 2.7 g (0.1 oz), 40 mm, plastic |
| Racket | Strung frame, with maximum dimensions | Wooden blade with rubber, any size |
| Scoring | 15, 30, 40, game; sets of 6 games | Games to 11, win by 2 |
| Match | Best of 3 or 5 sets | Best of 3, 5 or 7 games |
| Serve | Two attempts, into the crosscourt service box | One attempt, the ball bounces on both sides |
| Volley | Allowed | Not allowed: the ball always bounces |
| Olympics | 1896 to 1924, and again since 1988 | Since 1988 |
Fun fact: tennis and table tennis joined the Olympic program together at Seoul 1988. Tennis was returning after decades away; table tennis was making its debut.
Rules that change everything
The bounce
In tennis you can hit the ball before it bounces (a volley) or after one bounce. In table tennis, the ball always has to bounce once on your side. Touching it over the table before the bounce gives your opponent the point. Details in can you volley in ping pong?.
The serve
In tennis, one player serves the whole game and gets two chances per point. The serve is almost always overhead and must land in the crosscourt service box. In table tennis, each player serves 2 points in a row, with no second chance, and the ball bounces on your own side first. In singles, the serve can go anywhere on the opponent's side (see table tennis serve rules).
Scoring
Tennis has its famous 15, 30, 40, game count, with games and sets. Table tennis is simpler: every rally is one point, and a game ends at 11, win by 2. See table tennis scoring.
Is table tennis harder than tennis?
There is no single answer, because each is hard in its own way.
Tennis is more demanding on the body. The court is huge, rallies can be long and players cover a lot of ground. Strength, endurance and serve power matter a lot. A five-set match can last hours.
Table tennis demands faster reactions and spin reading. The ball is light and arrives very fast from just a few yards away. Spin is enormous for the size of the ball: misread a backspin serve and it goes straight into the net. Many coaches call table tennis one of the hardest sports to master technically because of this.
Table tennis is easier to start. With a table, two paddles and a ball, you can rally on day one. In tennis, beginners spend a lot of time chasing balls before they can keep a rally going.
Both are very hard at the top. Each takes years of training.
Which burns more calories?
Usually tennis. In the most widely used reference for estimating energy use, the Compendium of Physical Activities, singles tennis has a much higher value than recreational table tennis. That said, an intense table tennis session with lots of footwork is tiring too. See the numbers in how many calories does ping pong burn.
Does playing one help with the other?
A bit. Tennis players already understand topspin, slice and body position, and they often pick up the table tennis forehand quickly. What gets in the way is the stroke size: table tennis strokes are short and driven by the forearm, and a full tennis swing sends the ball flying. The grip is different too (see table tennis grip).
What about shoes?
Tennis shoes work for casual ping pong, but table tennis players usually prefer lighter shoes with thin soles and good grip on indoor courts, since the movement is short and quick. More in table tennis shoes and clothing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tennis and table tennis?
Tennis is played on a 78 ft (23.77 m) court with a ball of about 2 oz and 15-30-40 scoring. Table tennis is played on a 9 ft (2.74 m) table with a 2.7 g ball and games to 11. Tennis allows volleys; in table tennis the ball always bounces.
Is table tennis harder than tennis?
It depends. Tennis is more physical. Table tennis demands faster reactions and better spin reading. To get started, table tennis is usually easier.
Is ping pong the same as tennis?
No. They are different sports, with their own federations, rules and equipment.
Do tennis players learn table tennis faster?
It helps with understanding spin and body position, but table tennis strokes are much shorter and need a different grip.