Tennis Legends Back Pickleball’s Olympic Push: Pickleball has seen rapid growth in the United States, with at least 13.6 million players in 2024, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. This marks a 50% increase from 2022 and a staggering 223.5% rise since 2020. As the sport continues to gain popularity, it is offering women athletes unprecedented financial success, with some making more than players in other professional sports leagues.
Financial Success for Female Athletes
Pickleball’s rise has had a significant impact on female athletes. On average, women in professional pickleball earn $260,000 annually, making it the highest-paying sport for female athletes. The top-ranked player, Anna Leigh Waters, leads the way.
At just 17, she is not only ranked No. 1 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, but she is also expected to be the highest-paid player, regardless of gender, with earnings surpassing $3 million this year. In comparison, Ben Johns, the No. 1-ranked man in pickleball, is projected to make over $2.5 million.
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Pickleball’s Expansion and Professional Leagues
The popularity of pickleball has fueled the growth of professional leagues such as the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). Both leagues operate under the United Pickleball Association (UPA), which was established last year.
With around 60 women now competing in professional tournaments, many female athletes are earning salaries that surpass those in other well-known leagues, like the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) or the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Samin Odhwan, the Chief Strategy Officer of the United Pickleball Association, highlighted the uniqueness of pickleball.
“There is no other sport where men and women can compete on the court together and have an equal opportunity to impact the game.” – (Samin Odhwan)
He added that women’s value in the sport has proven to be just as significant, if not more, than that of men.
And arguably, what we’ve seen from early statistics and analysis of the sort of value of a player, the female outweighs what the male can do, in terms of just winning.” – (Samin Odhwan)
Concerns from Tennis Players
As pickleball grows, concerns have surfaced within the tennis community. Some worry that pickleball’s rapid rise could threaten tennis’s traditional dominance.
Novak Djokovic, a tennis legend, recently warned that tennis clubs could be replaced by pickleball or paddle courts due to pickleball’s cost-effectiveness. He emphasized that tennis needs to act quickly to maintain its place in sports.
“On a club level, tennis is endangered. If we don’t do something about it, globally or collectively, paddle, pickleball in the States, they’re gonna convert all the tennis clubs into paddle and pickleball. Because it’s more economical.” – (Novak Djokovic)
Pickleball’s Olympic Aspirations
The rapid growth of pickleball has sparked interest in its inclusion in the Olympics. Tennis great Andre Agassi is one of its strongest advocates, stating that he believes pickleball could join the Olympic Games sooner than expected.
“Pickleball is going to add a great deal to sport. Olympics, I absolutely can see it. I think it’s going to maybe even happen sooner than you’re hoping.” – (Andre Agassi)
Agassi, a former eight-time Grand Slam champion, pointed to pickleball’s affordability as one of the reasons for its popularity. He explained that unlike tennis, which can be expensive, pickleball allows players to experience success without breaking the bank. The sport’s accessibility to players of all ages has helped it become a game for everyone.
“It does not make you broke like tennis since it’s affordable. You can experience success, which is good for social development. The ease of access makes pickleball appealing to players of all ages and backgrounds. Agassi encouraged everyone to give it a try, adding, “All you need to do is try a few times, and it will be part of your life.” – (Andre Agassi)
Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna also praised the sport’s growth and even hinted that he might switch to pickleball after retiring from tennis. With big names like Agassi and Bopanna supporting pickleball, the push for the sport’s Olympic inclusion continues to gather momentum.
Future of Pickleball
As pickleball continues to rise in popularity, it brings financial opportunities for female athletes and the potential for an Olympic future. The sport is reshaping professional athletics and changing how men and women compete together.
With strong backing from sports legends and a rapidly growing fanbase, pickleball’s journey is just beginning. The next big step could very well be its inclusion in the Olympics, marking an exciting chapter in the sport’s evolution.
News in Brief: Tennis Legends Back Pickleball’s Olympic Push
Pickleball’s growth, with 13.6 million players in 2024, has brought financial success to female athletes, with top players like Anna Leigh Waters earning over $3 million. The sport’s rise has sparked concerns in tennis and fueled Olympic aspirations, with legends like Andre Agassi and Rohan Bopanna supporting its inclusion.
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