Who Wants To Play Pickleball?

By Larry Hayes, A050 Publisher

As a seasoned USTA captain/player with over 30 years of experience, my love for tennis runs deep.?

The court, the racket and the ball have been my companions for over 300 USTA matches. Through victories and losses. Yet, the emergence of pickleball, with its simplicity and ease of learning, intrigued me.

So, I tried it out and here's my take:?

If you can hold a paddle, you can play pickleball.

Far easier and quicker to learn than tennis which can take years to play competitively.

Pickleball is fun and more sociable than tennis.

Rules are simple?and the game is easy for beginners to learn but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game similar to tennis, especially playing singles.

Pickleball's smaller court and slower pace make it accessible and enjoyable to players of all ages, fitness and skill levels. A sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.?

Tennis, with its larger court and faster-paced game play, demands?a higher level of agility, endurance and strategic thinking. The power and precision required to ace a serve, the skill to maneuver around the court and the intense rallies that unfold in each match create an unparalleled adrenaline rush.

If you're a tennis player, will pickleball improve your volley game? Some believe it does. For me, no. Although fun to play, pickleball doesn't help my tennis game at all. Totally different game and strokes.

While pickleball is easier to pick up, it lacks the same level of complexity and variety that tennis offers. The intricate footwork, the strategic placement of shots and the ability to adapt to different opponents make tennis a lifelong journey of improvement.

However, as I delved into the world of pickleball, I couldn't help but miss the challenges that tennis offered. It's the mental and physical challenge of tennis that has kept me hooked for three decades.

The sheer joy of conquering the challenges that tennis presents is what keeps me loyal to the sport, despite the growing popularity of pickleball--America's fastest growing sport.

The decades of experience, the camaraderie with fellow players, and the love for the game have forged an unbreakable bond between me and tennis, ensuring that it will always be my preferred court of play.

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