Tennis vs Badminton
Both badminton and tennis are racket sports and popular all over the world. They are played either individually or in teams of two. However, the similarities between badminton and tennis end there. Tennis and badminton are two completely different sports. The difference between badminton and tennis begins from the rackets used to play the games. Both have different set of rules, components, equipment as well as courts where they are played.
What is Tennis?
Tennis is a racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent or as a team, two players against another team of two. A hollow rubber ball covered with felt (tennis ball) is struck over a net using a racket strung with cord into the opponent’s court. The aim is to hit the ball in such a way that the opponent is unable to play a good return.
Tennis is an Olympic sport that is played by individuals of all ages, even those using wheelchairs. It is believed that the origin of tennis dates back to 12th century northern France where the ball was struck with the palm of the hand. It is said that king Louis X of France was an enthusiastic player of this game which was then called jeu de paume (game of the palm). However, it was between 1859 and 1865 Harry Gem and his friend Augurio Perera who developed a similar game involving rackets and in turn in 1872, formed the world’s first ever tennis club in Leamington Spa.
What is Badminton?
A racket sport played using cord strung rackets and shuttlecocks, badminton can be played either individually against an opponent or between two teams, consisting of two players each. It is on either side of the rectangular court divided by a net that the two teams position themselves and strike the shuttlecock over the net onto the court of the opponent. A player may only strike the shuttlecock once after it passes over the net. If the shuttlecock hits the floor, a rally ends.
Badminton can be played both indoors and outdoors. Although, since the shuttlecocks’ flight is affected by the wind, competitive badminton is mostly played indoors. The origins of badminton, however, can be traced back to mid-1800s in British India where British military officers stationed there are said to have created it. However, it was the Bath Badminton Club that standardized the rules of the game in 1875, forming a badminton club in Folkestone.
What is the difference between Tennis and Badminton?
Tennis and badminton are racket sports that can be played either individually or in teams of two. They are both Olympic sports that are popular all over the world. However, they are two very different games that involve different rules, components as well as equipment.
• Tennis courts are larger than badminton courts. A tennis court is 36 feet wide and 78 feet long while a badminton court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.
• Tennis rackets are much larger and heavier than badminton rackets . The head of a tennis racket can be 90 – 100 square inches going up to 27.5 inches long. A tennis racket may weigh about 350g when strung. A badminton racket is about 100g.
• Tennis players manipulate the ball by using different spins. Badminton players drop shots.
• A tennis ball is used in tennis. In badminton, a shuttlecock is used.