There is an eternal debate in the world of rebound sports: which is more challenging - the Badminton or Tennis?
There are studies that prove that badminton is the faster and more physically demanding sport. But is it really „harder“?
In the Sportcenter Wittenau we offer you places for both. That's why we experience every day how different the entry hurdles and challenges are. Here is our comparison to help you decide.
Getting started: Who has fun faster?
There is a clear winner here: Badminton. The great advantage of badminton is that you can enjoy it with almost no previous experience.
- Why? Put two beginners on the court with a net and a shuttlecock. You can start hitting the ball back and forth almost immediately. A rally of 5 to 10 strokes is possible within the first hour.
- Tennis: The beginning is often more frustrating here. It is relatively difficult for beginners to get the ball over the net with the right speed and trajectory so that their partner can hit it back. Long rallies are rare at the beginning.
Conclusion for beginners: If you are looking for a quick sense of achievement, start with badminton on our courts in Reinickendorf. If you have patience and want to learn technique, tennis is the sport for you.
Fitness: marathon vs. sprint
Badminton places higher demands on the aerobic fitness and the three-dimensional movement.
- 3D movement: In badminton, you not only have to move sideways, but also constantly jump, bend your knees (lunges) and work overhead. You cover six points on the court - from the net to the baseline.
- Tennis: Here, the movement is often more like that of a table tennis player on the baseline - a lot of side-to-side movement. Of course, you also have to sprint to the net, but the intensity is distributed differently.
It is often said: tennis is a marathon (long matches, breaks), badminton is a sprint (constant explosive movements without a break).
Technology and precision
Is badminton faster? Not necessarily „faster“ in the sense of running speed, but the Speed of action must be extremely high.
- Precision: As the badminton court is smaller, it requires extremely high precision („placement“) to place the ball exactly where the opponent cannot reach it.
- Club guide: Badminton is „wristy“ (wrist-heavy). The movement begins in the large muscles, but ends explosively in the wrist or even in the fingers. Tennis, on the other hand, often requires a fluid movement of the whole arm and trunk.
Tactics and anticipation
At an advanced level, both sports require brilliant tactics.
- Badminton: Anticipation (reading the opponent) is even more critical here, as the ball is extremely fast in relation to the size of the field. You have to use deception to send your opponent into the wrong corner.
- Tennis: Anticipation is also important here (reading body language), but the game is often more „2D“ (baseline duel), whereas badminton uses the full 3D space (air space).
Conclusion: What suits you?
The question „What is heavier?“ depends on how you define „heavy“.
- More difficult to learn (getting started): Tennis.
- More physically demanding (intensity): Badminton.
The good thing is: you don't have to make a theoretical decision. In the Sportcenter Wittenau you can try out both! Our Tennis hall offers you fun regardless of the weather on a floor that is easy on the joints, while our Badminton courts are perfectly illuminated for fast rallies.
Are you still missing the right racket for the test? No problem. We rent out equipment for both sports at our counter.
Why not test both? Book a badminton court today and an hour of tennis next week. Find out where your heart beats faster!
See also:
- What age is ideal for badminton?
- Badminton rules: How to play correctly
- Badminton doubles tactics: positioning, rotation & communication
- 5 ways to improve your badminton technique
- 5 ways to win badminton matches even as a slow player
- What do you wear to badminton? The perfect dress code for the court
- The 5 most important fitness attributes for badminton
- The correct grip position in badminton: a guide for beginners