Paddle tennis is a variation of tennis , which played on a court similar to tennis court. The sport has much similarity with lawn tennis . In 1898, paddle tennis was invented in the United States of America by a youngster named Frank P. Beal . This sport is often used by tennis coaches as a part of tennis training programs. Like tennis, in this sport, the court is divided in halves. Paddle tennis can be played between two players or two pairs of players. In place of tennis ball, sponge rubber ball or punctured tennis ball is used during paddle tennis , and racquets has been replaced by wooden paddle. Paddle tennis was an instant hit among the children.
In the first half of twentieth century, paddle tennis emerged as a sport event. The U.S. Paddle Tennis Association is the governing body of the sport. The Western U.S. Paddle Tennis Association was founded in California to supervise the sport there. Later in 1970, two organizations merged and the year 1978 witnessed the first national championship of paddle tennis .
The paddle tennis court is 50 feet long and 20 feet wide. Paddle and paddle ball are two essential equipments for the sport. The paddle is made from wood with metallic rim and grip. The size of paddles used by players cannot exceed 17.5 inches in length and 8.5 inches in width. Some players use perforated paddle surface for getting extra spin. The paddle tennis rules, which are followed during the game, are almost similar to those of lawn tennis. However, there are some differences. In paddle tennis , only one serve is allowed. There is also specification for service method during a match. Though played for over hundred years, the sport of paddle tennis has been concentrated in New York and California. However, clubs can also be found in other parts of the United States of America .
