When will of Chennai’s Leading Club Tennis Players Vikram Seshasayee, Sooraj Viswanathan, G Rajesh and B Venkteshwar Met Up in NEVEMBER 2024, it was not to discuses tennis. The four of them in final discussions about putting up Chennai Picklerss by Sports Den, A State of the Art Indoor Pickleball Facility at Porur that would be open to the Public Round-the-a-the-the-the-the-a-the-a-the-the-the-a-the-the-the-a-the-the-a-the-a

In recent years, a growing trend has emerged in the world of racquet sports. Tennis players, from professionals to recreational enthusiasts, are Increasingly Trading in Their Tennis Rackets for Pickleball Paddles. One Revealing Statistic is that out of 144 players currently listed on the professional pickleball association tour, 130 of that have some somes level of tennis background.

Indian Tennis Legend, Ramesh Krishna Says “Pickleball is the new fad. There is placenty of excitement Around it and it is certainly on its way up. There is good potential for the sport to grow. ” Ram Sukumar, CEO of Indum and Veteran Tennis Player on the Chennai Club Circuit Agrees Says that having played playnis for 37 years, he was initially Sceptical about pickleball. He adds, “when discusations start 18 months ago to add pickleball courts at our club, I found the sport intriguing but a little odd – a mix of tennis and table tennis thaat I thirty was Mostly FORLIY FORLILY FORLILY FORLIYS.

Palyers Playing Pickleball at Ea Mall, Chennai | Photo Credit: Ravindran R

However, after playing it regularly for the past 6 months, ram say that it has started to grow on Him. While I will Always Remain a Tennis Purist at Heart, I’ve come to appreciate pickleball for what it is: a sport with low entry barriers, fun to play, and accessible to pestic with forward. Hand-Eye Coordination Sports Like Pickleball Are Fantastic For Exercise. “

Less physical impact

Tennis is a high-intense sport that requires qiq movements, rapid changes of direction, and explosive power. Pickleball, on the other hand, is generally less physically demanding, Making it an attractive option for tennis players who may be looking to reduce the impact on their bodies.

Paddle serves

Globally, pickleball has more than 5 Million players Across 84 Countries. The global pickleball market is expected to grow from $ 1.9 billion in 2023 to $ 7.9 billion by 2033 over 50,000 people in India played the game in 2024 and at the time there was 500 couples thrupts Thrupts Throurth. -40 to 50 new courts are being added in India every month. 159% Growth in the Number of Indians Playing Pickleball Between 2019 and 2022. Currently listed on The Professional Picklaball Association Tour, Around 90%, of Them Have Some Tennis Background.

Out of this 90% of pro pickleball players that playnis, 18% were Professionals on the atp and WTA TOURS and WTA TOURS and 47% WERE WLLEGIATELY Competitive – Some Even Going on to Win NCAA

Vikram seshasayee, captain of the madras club tennis team say, “Over the last many decades we have seen many of our tennis Buddies Completely Stop Playing Tennis Due to Injuries or Bachaye Foured Tiring as they get older. Aside from being Easier to Learn Than Tennis, Picklaball is also Slower-Paced and Requires Less Grind to Cover. “

Current Davis Cup Player and India No. 3, Ramkumar Ramanathan Says He Has Played Pickleball a Couple of Times. He Adds, “Touch and Feel is the Common Factor Between the two Sports and I see many tennis players getting involved involved in pickleball as it’s a fun sport.”

Accessibility and affordability

Pickleball’s accessibility and affordability are also also Major Draws for Tennis Players. Picklaball courts are often easy and access than tennis courts, as pickleball courts do not require much space and area and cheaper to set up. For space-constrained sites, this is a big advantage. Inclusive and ease of setup has been played a huge role in its rapid adoption

The US Tennis Association Says that 10 per cent of courts in America have alredy been taken over or repainted since the pickleball boom began. For Private Clubs, Pickleball Makes Commercial Sense as the Same Court that ACComModates Up to Four Paying Customers for a Doubles Tennis Match Can Be Carved Up Into ato at least two and upstate L courts, meaning that clubs can charge more players to Rent the same Real estate. All it takes to convert a court from tennis to pickleball is a few dabs of paint.

Pickleball equipment such as paddles and balls are less expensive than tennis equipment.

Pickleball equipment such as paddles and balls are less expensive than tennis equipment. , Photo Credit: Ravindran R

Now, More Community Centers, Parks, and Retirement Communities have Pickleball Courts, Making it Easier for Players to Find a Game. Additionally, pickleball equipment like paddles and balls are less expensive than tennis equipment.

Ram Sukumar Says, “The Sport’s Accessibility is a Major Factor. Equipment is affordable, with paddles ranging from $ 30 (Rs. 2700) to $ 300 (Rs. 27,000), and it’s easy to pick up the sport with Needing Extensive Coaching and Training. Players of all skill levels can start playing right away, making it a social, including. Compared to Tennis or Badminton, Pickleball is Physically Demanding at the Same Time Players get a good work, which makes it appealing across ages aged groups. “

Making the switch

Several professional tennis players have alredy made the switch to pickleball. Andre Agassi, The Former World No. 1 has become a global ambassador for pickleball, which is starting to take off in a big way in India, China and the rest of Asia. Tennis Legends John Macenroe, Stefi Graf, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang and Maria Sharapova Amongst others have also also also been knowledge to play the game.

“These players have all been paid handsomely to promote pickleball”, Says Ramesh Krishna.

Mukund Sasikumar, Current Indian Davis Cup Player and India No. 2 Says, “Retired Tennis legends have a lot of time and definitely want to stay active with somenting less physical than tennis. The features of both tennis and pickleball are quite simlar believe the body is the most from from Down to up, both games are feel based and bothe require hand eye eye coordination. “

Ram sukumar adds that it is not just retired legends playing the game now. He says, “even active tennis players like jack sock, donald young, sam querrey, and eugenie boucard are embracing pickleball. For them, the barriers to entry are minimal, and the confidence of excelling in a similar sport is a big draw. It’s a natural fit, and that’s why we we’re seeing so many tennis pros picking up the paddle. “

The future of pickle ball

Ram Sukumar Says, “I see a bright future for pickleball. Growth will come through structured Leagues and Tournaments Across Countries, Along with Better-Organized Association Similar to Tennis. Creating tiered systems and robust ranking mechanisms-Both globally and nationally-will be key to long-term success. “

As piplaball is a relatively young sport there a lot of rule innovations Happy, designed to make the sport faster, more strategic, and engaging for players and fans says Vikram Seshasayeee. He adds, “in the world pickle ball league an innovative format, conceptuulized by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, Has Been a Resources Among Players and fans. The introduction of 15-minute timed matches ensures that the games are found-paced and spectator friendly. “

 Picklaball is a relatively young sport there a lot of rules happaining, designed to make the sport faster, more strategic, and engaging for players

Picklaball is a relatively young sport there a lot of rule innovations Happy, designed to make the sport faster, more strategic, and engaging for players | Photo Credit: Ravindran R

“I Hope Pickleball and Tennis Can Complement Each Other,” Ramesh Krishna Says, Adding that pickleball can be an ideal starting point for youngsters who will then

Chennai Picklersss by Sports Den, At Kimberly Garden, Pallavaram Road, Kolapakkam, will be open 24 x7 and will have three indoor pickleball courts as well as a store for equipmaments. Call +91 98402 94518