Pickleball Singles Rules (2025 Edition): How to Dominate Solo, Serve Sass & Avoid Kitchen Drama

Pickleball Singles Rules (2025 Edition): How to Dominate Solo, Serve Sass & Avoid Kitchen Drama

Because sometimes you want to play without a partner — or your doubles partner ghosted you again.

TL;DR: What Are the Pickleball Singles Rules?

Pickleball singles rules are slightly different from doubles. Here’s your exclusive cheat sheet:

  • Only one player per side

  • Serve diagonally and underhand from behind the baseline

  • You switch service sides after each point you score

  • No second server like in doubles — you lose the point, your serve’s gone

  • All the standard pickleball rules apply (yes, including that kitchen rule)

Got it? Good. Now let’s break it down before your opponent breaks your spirit with a sneaky cross-court dink.

So… Why Play Singles?

Because you’re independent. A lone wolf. A solo paddle warrior. Or maybe your friend bailed last minute and you're stuck playing 1v1.

Singles pickleball is faster, sweatier and spicier than doubles. You cover the entire court alone, meaning:

  • Your cardio? About to level up.

  • Your reaction time? Tested.

  • Your excuses? Running out.

But the payoff? Supreme bragging rights and better ball control. Singles is where strategy meets stamina.

Singles vs Doubles: The Main Differences

Rule Doubles Singles
Players per side 2 1
Server rotation Two players serve per side One player serves only
Side switching Based on even/odd score Switch after each point scored
Court coverage Shared Solo (good luck!)
Strategy Placement & finesse Placement, stamina and speed

Singles = the boss level of pickleball. But don't worry, we’ll get you tournament-ready in no time.

Serving Rules in Pickleball Singles (Without Crying)

Here’s the simple breakdown of how serving works in singles pickleball:

  • You serve underhand, diagonally, from behind the baseline

  • If your score is even, serve from the right

  • If your score is odd, serve from the left

  • No partner = no second serve. Lose a point? Your opponent serves. Ouch.

Pro Tip: Master your deep serves — it buys you time to recover and keeps your opponent on their heels.

Want more on serving strategy? Check out How to Play Pickleball (2025 Edition)

Singles Pickleball Strategy (AKA Cardio With a Paddle)

Playing pickleball singles is like running a half-marathon while also trying to outsmart someone with a better backhand.

Top singles strategy tips:

  • Serve Deep, Return Deep – Buy time & force errors

  • Stay Centered – Control the middle of the court

  • Exploit Angles – Send your opponent running side to side (and straight into regret)

  • Hit & Recover – Don’t admire your shots, move back to neutral

  • Use the Kitchen Line – Dominate the net to cut off their options

And most importantly, breathe. It's called pickleball, not pickleyoujustdiedball.

Pickleball Singles Court Dimensions (Same, But All Yours)

Yes, you still use the same size court as doubles. The difference? It’s all yours to cover.

  • Court size: 20 ft wide x 44 ft long

  • Non-volley zone: 7 ft from the net (aka the kitchen)

  • Net height: 36" at the sides, 34" at the center

Confused about the kitchen? Read: What is the Kitchen in Pickleball?

What Gear You Actually Need

Let’s keep it real: The best singles players use gear that works with them, not against them.

Here’s your winning setup:

Best Paddle for Singles?

Try the Nilk Signature Paddle in 8 different colours (standard shape = huge sweet spot & super forgiving)
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Best Pickleball Bag?

Carry your singles success in the Nilk Pickleball Bag — fits two paddles (with a detachable carry case), 6 balls and your enemies’ tears
👉 View the bag

Need Balls (Literally)?

Nilk has both indoor and outdoor pickleballs in Pinterest-worthy colours.. they're USA Pickleball Approved too!
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Common Mistakes in Pickleball Singles

Please don’t be this player:

  • Camping at the baseline and letting dinks destroy your soul

  • Serving soft (serve like you mean it!)

  • Forgetting to switch sides after every point you score

  • Running to the kitchen line mid-serve like it’s a buffet

Get the rules right and you’ll start seeing wins roll in (or at least fewer embarrassing losses).

Recap: Pickleball Singles Rules (2025)

  • One player per side

  • Serve diagonally + underhand

  • Switch sides every time you score

  • Play to 11, win by 2

  • Stay out of the kitchen (unless the ball bounces first)

Keep the Learning Going (Because You're a Star)

Final Word: You’re About to Become That Player

Playing singles isn’t just harder — it’s smarter. You’ll become faster, sharper and stronger (mentally and emotionally). Plus, no partner = no blame.

So go ahead, serve big, dink smart and rule the court solo.

👉 Shop Nilk paddles now
👉 Grab a pickleball bag that turns heads