Kaitlyn Kerr on India’s Pickleball Potential: American pickleball star Kaitlyn Kerr is optimistic about the future of pickleball in India, having witnessed the sport’s rapid rise in popularity. During her visits to the country, including the PWR DUPR India Masters and the Indian Open in Mumbai, she has been impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of players and fans. She believes that India has the potential to become a global powerhouse in pickleball, citing the sport’s addictive nature and the efforts of local leaders to build strong infrastructure as key factors for its success.
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A Bright Future for Pickleball in India
Kaitlyn Kerr is particularly excited about the surge in pickleball’s popularity in India, noting how the energy and passion displayed by players create a thrilling atmosphere that draws more people into the game. One notable development she observed was the full day dedicated to female players at the Indian Open, highlighting efforts to increase female participation in the sport.
They did have a full day dedicated to the females in pickleball, which I loved because they wanted to get more girls out and active and playing a sport. So that was really beautiful to see.” – (Kaitlyn Kerr)
“It was beautiful to see the commitment to get more girls out and active and playing a sport,” Kaitlyn Kerr shared. The growth of women’s participation in the sport is something she has noticed firsthand, as many of the female players from the Indian Open have significantly improved their game since then.
“And a lot of the girls that were there, I’m actually seeing at this tournament and they’ve improved so much and they’ve grown in their game so much. So I think India also has a history in racquet sports, which I think is really helpful.” – (Kaitlyn Kerr)
Kaitlyn Kerr also recognizes India’s strong history in racquet sports, which she believes provides an advantageous foundation for pickleball’s development. “India has a history in racquet sports, which is really helpful,” she commented, suggesting that the cultural familiarity with racquet sports may facilitate the sport’s continued expansion.
Infrastructure and Access: Key to Sustaining Growth
A significant factor in sustaining and expanding pickleball growth in India, according to Kaitlyn Kerr, is the development of infrastructure and court access. She emphasized the importance of building more courts at the grassroots level, ensuring that local communities have the resources to engage with the sport.
“And I think they are building more courts. That’s the big thing. Getting access to people in local communities and building the infrastructure at the ground level are going to be really important to get exposure out there.” – (Kaitlyn Kerr)
Kaitlyn Kerr acknowledged the role of key figures, such as Pranav Kohli, who helped launch the PWR tournament and secured media partnerships like Times Now to promote the sport. She believes that media exposure is essential to educating the public about pickleball’s benefits and encouraging its widespread adoption.
“I think that the growth in India is because a few select people really saw it at the beginning. Pranav Kohli is one of them who started PWR and got Times Now involved, which has been an incredible sponsor. They’re leveraging their media to get more people knowledgeable about this sport in this country. I think that’s really helpful. And you need people like that in other countries to do the same, to be the leader, to be the spokesperson, and to see how it’s impacting lives and can impact a community in a country, which is really awesome. And so I think it’s going to grow.” – (Kaitlyn Kerr)
“India will take it by storm. I say the United States right now is the biggest hub for pickleball in the world. However, I think countries like India and China will soon overtake the United States.” – (Kaitlyn Kerr)
“India will take it by storm,” Kaitlyn Kerr declared, confident that the country’s growing interest in the sport will soon place it alongside nations like China as major global players in the pickleball scene.
Global Growth and Potential in Other Countries
Kaitlyn Kerr sees potential for pickleball’s growth in other countries with a strong foundation in racquet sports, particularly China.
“You know, China’s big in badminton and that’s the same size court as a pickleball court. So it’s actually very easy to convert these badminton courts to pickleball courts. So I really think it’s once people play, they become addicted, they become obsessed.” – (Kaitlyn Kerr)
The similarity in court dimensions means that badminton courts can be easily converted into pickleball courts, making it a seamless transition for countries with a robust badminton culture. Furthermore, Kaitlyn Kerr believes that pickleball’s addictive nature will naturally attract players once they experience the game.
“So it’s just giving them the opportunity to play, giving them access to courts and paddles, which has been phenomenal. So I think that’s also awesome, giving back.” – (Kaitlyn Kerr)
The key to expanding the sport in new regions, she believes, lies in providing people with access to courts and paddles.
News in Brief: Kaitlyn Kerr on India’s Pickleball Potential
With the right infrastructure, media exposure, and grassroots efforts, pickleball has the potential to thrive in India and beyond. Kaitlyn Kerr’s enthusiasm for the sport’s future in India, alongside her recognition of its global potential, reflects the growing momentum pickleball is gaining worldwide.
As more countries embrace the sport, pickleball’s accessibility and addictive qualities may soon make it a global sensation, with India assured to be one of its next major hubs.
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