Can Tennis compete with the Power of Pickleball ?
Pickleball has longed been described as a game with elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Although it was invented in 1965, its popularity grew at a very slow pace. Within the last 8 years however the sport has spread from the US to destinations around the world. Its current rate of growth is mind-boggling and pickleball's popularity has turned into profit for paddle manufacturers, many of whom are from the tennis industry.
GAMMA Sports was one of the first tennis companies to foresee the pickleball revolution. Then Head, Prince and Wilson jumped on the bandwagon about two years ago. Sporting goods manufacturers like FILA, K-Swiss, New Balance, Dick's Sporting Goods, Jugs Sports and Franklin Sports are also now benefiting from sales of pickleball products which they make and market.
Many others in the tennis community are embracing pickleball. Last year the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) created the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) which trains and certifies professionals who teach the sport. Companies that build tennis courts are now constructing pickleball courts. From apparel to yardsticks, the game is going mainstream.
The future of tennis is good but pickleball makes it better. There's no reason for the two to compete since their relationship is really symbiotic for many businesses who are seeing income from both. If you haven't heard about pickleball until reading this article, now maybe the time research it. It really is a big dill!