There’s a new buzz in town, and no, it’s not the iced matcha, its the world of Pickleball. A game that sounds like a snack but is actually the fastest-growing sport in the country. From teenagers to retirees, celebrities to even parents, everyone’s on the court, paddle in hand, chasing the ball like their life depends on it.
So what is pickleball, really? Think of it as a love child of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Invented in 1965 by three dads, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum who were trying to entertain their bored kids on a summer afternoon. Lacking the proper sports gear, they improvised with ping-pong paddles and a plastic ball, and somehow created a game that would one day take over suburban parks and gym schedules everywhere. Legend has it they named it after their dog, Pickles, who loved chasing the ball, but there is also a debate going on about whether it was named after their dog Pickles or something about a “pickle boat” in rowing. Either way, the name stuck.
Let me confess, I’m not your go-to person for sports. I’m more “coffee and conversation” kind of person. But last weekend, my husband who has the sporting enthusiasm of a pirate who just found his treasure. He managed to coax me out to the pickleball court. I was skeptical. I envisioned sore arms, missed serves, and a bruised ego. But guess what? It was actually fun.
There’s something delightfully low-stakes about pickleball. The court seems less scary somehow, the paddles are light, and the vibe is friendly. You can play it in sneakers and a smile. It was easy to pick up, not too exhausting, and everyone on the court was having a good time, laughing, missing shots, cheering each other on. While I may not be rallying for championships anytime soon, I did enjoy the laughter, the movement, and surprisingly the competition. (Let the record show: I scored one glorious point. Okay, maybe it was a lucky shot. But still.)
And somewhere between missing the ball and accidentally scoring a point, I realized this silly little game teaches you quite a bit about life:
- You’re never too old (or uninterested) to try something new.
- It’s okay to be bad at first.
- Stepping out of your comfort zones can land you in middle of fun
- Having a good time matters more than winning
- sometimes and only sometimes, you should listen to your husband 😉
So now, I’m not saying I’m a pickleball pro. I still don’t fully understand the rules. I still hold the paddle like I’m about to flip a paratha. But hey, I showed up. I tried something new. I had fun. That’s a win, right?
Until next time my husband drags me there again I’ll be the one pretending I didn’t enjoy it, but secretly looking forward to the post-game cold coffee. 😄
Love & Icecreams
Sneha Singhvi
