If you’ve looked over at the local pickleball courts lately and seen guys swinging what look like junior tennis rackets at a foam ball, you’ve officially seen TYPTI. Founded by Tennis Channel creator Steve Bellamy and backed by athletes like Drew Brees, TYPTI is a hybrid of tennis and pickleball that many believe is the next big thing to enter court sports.
The idea behind its creation is to be the "snowboarding" of the court world—essentially a fast, stylish, and a creative way to use existing pickleball courts.
What is Different from Pickleball to TYPTI?
While the court dimensions are identical, the gameplay is actually quite a bit different from what you've experienced in pickleball. Here’s what we know:
Paddles vs. Rackets
Pickleball relies on solid pickleball paddles, but TYPTI uses a 22-inch strung racket. For those that grew up playing tennis, this is a game-changer, as it allows you to actually "rip" the ball and use real tennis-style spin that a flat paddle just can’t produce.
The Ball
Instead of the loud plastic "pop" that pickleballs makes, TYPTI uses a channeled foam ball. A plus side to this is that they are significantly quieter and have a massive bounce—about 300% higher than what you're used to in pickleball! It’s a solid move for playing in areas where noise complaints are an issue.
The “Kitchen” is Closed
Forget the non-volley zone. In TYPTI, you are free to volley from anywhere on the court. This completely changes the strategy, as you don't have to worry about staying behind a line to attack the ball.
The Net Rebound Rule
This is the most unique part of the game: if the ball hits the net on your side, the point stays alive. As long as it hasn't bounced twice, you can "save" it with your hand, foot, or even the racket handle to get it back over and keep the rally going.
Now that there are two sports on the pickleball courts, you might see more mix ups in scoring like the video below!
Pickleball vs. TYPTI: A Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Pickleball | TYPTI |
|---|---|---|
| Court Size | 20' x 44' | 20' x 44' (Identical) |
| Ball Type | Perforated Plastic | Channeled Foam |
| Gear | Solid Paddle | 22" Strung Racket |
| Sound | High-pitch "Pop" | Near-Silent |
| Scoring | Rally or Side-out to 11 | "The Stakes" (Fast-paced points) |
Why Try TYPTI?
For former tennis players who miss being able to really drive through the ball with a strung racket, TYPTI is the perfect middle ground. You don't need to find a new venue since it uses existing pickleball courts, and because it's near-silent, it’s a great option for spots where noise complaints are a problem. At JustPaddles, we are still true to our pickleball roots, but wanted to give you a look one of the up and coming sports in the racket world.
Did you know we carry Padel Rackets? Check out our line of Padel Rackets below! Have any questions? Reach out to our team of trained Experts via chat, email or give us a call and we will be happy to assist you in your paddle or racket experience.
