What’s pickleball, and why is it so popular today?

Discover the rise of pickleball, a fun, accessible sport blending tennis, badminton, and ping-pong that fosters community connections.

The pickleball frenzy must have come into your social circles at some point in the past few months. People were suddenly booking out courts and becoming sports enthusiasts as pickleball filled our social media feeds and conversations. But what is pickleball? Why this sudden surge in its social acceptance as a sport? Let’s explore…

Often described as a hybrid sport, pickleball is a cross between tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is played in a court smaller than a tennis court using a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, quite similar to the aforementioned sports. 

A popular story surrounding the origin of pickleball goes back to the 1960s Washingtom where three families found themselves pretty bored and decided to invent a game of their own. With the help of some old ping-pong paddles and perforated balls, they headed to a badminton court in the backyard. The net and the rules of the game were adjusted according to the game as they started playing. This sport became known as pickleball, believed to have been named after one of the family’s dogs. Another story about the name traces back to how ‘pickle boat’ exists in rowing — a final boat or crew put together from whoever is left over.

Representative image. | Photo Credit: Freepik

There are multiple aspects to pickleball, which make it an easier sport to pick up compared to tennis or ping-pong. In pickleball, a novice can walk onto a court and be playing competitive, fun rallies within thirty minutes. Because the court is small and the ball is light, it doesn’t require the same level of sprinting or explosive strength as other sports, making it accessible to children and seniors alike.

An increase in social interactions is yet another reason for its rise in popularity. Pickleball communities started building quite quickly due to the ease of playing and accessibility of courts, especially in metropolitan cities where the need for venues to socialise is rising quickly. Thus, in this era of increasing digital isolation, pickleball offers a tangible, face-to-face “third place” outside of home and work. Light yet fun workouts are also another reason people often pick pickleball as a hobby.