Name: Pickleball
Age: Pickleball was invented by three dads on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, in 1965. So that would make it 57 years old.
Seriously, there’s a game called pickleball? Make that a sport. In fact, make that not just a sport but the fastest growing sport in the US.
Does it involve kicking a gherkin about? It does not.
Golden snitch, but made of a pickled onion? Again, no. There are no actual pickles involved. It is played with a wiffle ball …
Is that like a quaffle? No! It’s not Quidditch, OK? A wiffle ball is one of those light, plastic balls with holes.
Go on then, how do you play? It’s like a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong …
Whiff whaff? Shush. It’s played with hard paddles, a little larger than a ping-pong bat, on a court about a quarter the size of a tennis court, with a lower net …
So like tennis for people who can’t play tennis? Not at all, though the fact that it is easier to learn is one of the reasons behind its success. Playing singles or doubles, you’ll soon be able to get rallies going. There’s less sprinting so it’s easier on the body, making it popular with retirees.
So like tennis for old people? Not just. Those Washington dads invented it for their kids.
Perhaps there are some celebrity pickleballers? Matthew Perry plays several times a week. And, in the newest season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David admits to enjoying a game. There are Instagram pickleball influencers, and pickleball bloggers. Several of the big sports networks are planning to cover the sport. But again, this is not about slebs and pros …
What is it about? “It’s about connection, joy and play – and the importance of play in a world where exhaustion and workaholism are status symbols,” Brené Brown, vulnerability researcher, author and owner of Texas team the ATX Pickleballers, told the New York Times. It’s ordinary people picking up a paddle and pickleballing. And that’s what they’re doing, in their numbers.
What kind of numbers are we talking? The Sport and Fitness Industry Association estimates that 4.8 million Americans played pickleball in 2021.
What about outside the US? The UK say? So there are already several places where you can play.
Yeah, but it’s not really going to catch on, is it? Why not?
It’s called pickleball! Hmm, yes I see what you mean. It probably won’t make the Olympics any time soon.
Do say: “Anyone for pickleball? No, not you Novak …”
Don’t say: “Bring out the Branston!”
