Doubles gets most of the attention, but pickleball singles is a fully recognized format with its own scoring quirk that trips people up the first time they try it.
What changes from doubles
The court and net height are the same. What changes is the serve position: in singles, the server serves from the right side when their score is even, and from the left side when it’s odd — that’s the whole adjustment.
Scoring is simpler
Since there’s only one player per side, only one score is called (no server-number tracking like doubles), which actually makes singles easier to follow for a first-timer standing courtside.
Why players choose it
Singles is faster-paced and a noticeably harder workout — no partner to cover the other half of the court means a lot more running. It’s a good option if you show up solo or want a more intense session.
If you’re on your own or want extra cardio, ask to run singles instead of doubles next time you’re on the court — the booking and pricing work exactly the same either way.
