As the U.S. Open commenced this week, drawing over a million fans to tennis’s grandest stage, the sport’s leaders are grappling with an unsettling reality: the nation’s fastest-growing racket sport isn’t tennis, but pickleball. This burgeoning sport has seen participation skyrocket by an astounding 223% over the past three years.
In Central Park’s Wollman Rink, women eagerly await their friends to practice pickleball, encapsulating the sport’s infectious appeal. Yet, amidst the excitement, U.S. Tennis Association President Dr. Brian Hainline voices his discomfort with the game’s distinctive pock, pock, pock sound. “Quite frankly, it’s obnoxious to hear that pickleball noise,” Hainline grumbled during a recent state-of-the-game news conference.
Pickleball, a fusion of tennis and ping pong played with paddles and a wiffleball, has risen rapidly, amassing 13.6 million U.S. players. This growth has alarmed tennis aficionados who fear that pickleball might one day rival tennis’s 23.8 million players. The expanding footprint of pickleball courts, often at the expense of tennis courts, exacerbates these concerns.
Hainline expressed his apprehension: “When you see an explosion of a sport and it starts potentially eroding into your sport, then, yes, you’re concerned.” He lamented the encroachment on tennis infrastructure by enthusiastic pickleball advocates who have repurposed many tennis courts.
Meanwhile, tennis governing bodies in other countries have welcomed pickleball. France’s tennis federation even set up pickleball courts at the French Open, providing a platform for fans and top players to experience the game firsthand. However, the USTA’s approach is markedly different. No part of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center features any recognition of pickleball’s burgeoning popularity.
To counter the pickleball phenomenon, the USTA is launching over 400 pilot programs nationwide, introducing “red ball tennis,” a simplified version of tennis designed to attract new players. Hainline believes it’s the ideal way for people of all ages to begin their tennis journey, utilizing the shorter courts of pickleball. He argued that striking a fuzzy red tennis ball with a stringed racket offers a broader array of strokes and a more pleasing sound.
Not keen to dismiss pickleball altogether, Hainline did make a comparison, stating, “But compared to tennis … seriously?”
Mike Nealy, CEO of Pickleball USA, has a more measured reaction. Despite his misgivings about tennis’s initiatives, he remains focused on the promising future of pickleball, which includes over 50,000 new courts and growing investments from big names like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Drake.
“I don’t think it needs to be one or the other or a competition,” Nealy remarked. He stressed the complementary nature of both sports, suggesting that there’s ample room for both to flourish.
Top-ranked American tennis player, Taylor Fritz, echoed this sentiment. “There are some people in the tennis world that are just absolute pickleball haters, and that’s fine. But for me, I don’t really have an issue with pickleball. I like playing sometimes. … I don’t see any reason why both of them can’t exist.”
Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) President and CEO Tom Cove highlighted pickleball’s meteoric rise as unparalleled. With a growing number of young players and easy access, pickleball’s inclusive nature presents almost no barriers to entry, unlike tennis, which requires longer learning periods and matches against similarly skilled players.
“Pickleball has a unique quality to give enjoyment very early,” Cove said. The participants find it engaging and approachable, which has fueled its popularity.
The USTA aims to capture some of pickleball’s allure with initiatives like the “red ball” demonstration court near Court 17 at Flushing Meadows, targeting adult fans drawn to pickleball. Feedback has been mixed but promising; Boston’s 27-year-old Angelique Santiago found red ball tennis more enjoyable than pickleball, citing its softer feel and ease of engaging in rallies.
These responses are encouraging for the USTA’s Hainline, who likened comparing tennis to pickleball to comparing “apples to potatoes.” With an ambitious goal of increasing tennis participation to 35 million by 2035, the USTA is determined to offer tennis as a compelling option, leaving the ultimate decision to the players.
“We want to present another option,” Hainline said, “and let the people choose.”
