Rise of Pickleball in France: Pickleball, a fast-growing sport in France, has seen its player base increase to 12,000. With the French Tennis Federation (FFT) leading the charge, the sport is expanding through development programs, workshops, and school presentations. Its popularity is further boosted by competitions and international events like the upcoming Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Rapid Growth of Pickleball in France
Pickleball, which originally had just over 1,000 players in France, now boasts 12,000 regular players. This growth comes as a result of efforts by the FFT, which has hired nearly 90 pickleball development advisors across the country.
According to Florian Lecerf, the FFT’s pickleball officer, the federation’s goal is to continue expanding the sport. The FFT has implemented strategies similar to those used for padel, focusing on offering support, organizing workshops, and introducing pickleball in schools and businesses.
Lecerf added, “The goal is to keep as many people as possible within the FFT ecosystem.” Currently, the federation has about 9,000 pickleball licenses, but this number is growing as more people are drawn to the sport.
Accessibility and Appeal of Pickleball
One of pickleball’s biggest strengths is its accessibility. The sport is easier to learn than tennis, with a smaller court size and less physical strain. Cyril Peltier, the top-ranked French pickleball player, highlighted that anyone can enjoy the sport, whether they are athletes or not.
“Pickleball is a lot of fun; it is technically much easier than tennis,” said Peltier. Caroline Dhenin, the number one female player in France, believes that pickleball will see even more growth. “I believe this is going to be a tsunami,” she said.
Growth of Pickleball Facilities and Tournaments
France now has around 200 pickleball courts, and more are being built to meet the increasing demand. The sport can also be played on tennis courts with the proper equipment, which has helped integrate it into existing tennis facilities without creating competition between the two sports.
“Tennis is not threatened by the advent of this new sport,” said Lecerf, emphasizing that changes to courts will be made thoughtfully and only when necessary.
Pickleball is also making strides in private clubs. Investors are beginning to see the potential in pickleball, with clubs like Pickleball Paris Ouest and Pickleball Arena helping fuel its popularity.
Pierre Kohler, founder of Le Huddl, noted that pickleball is attracting a wide range of players. “The demographic is diverse, with young players playing singles, employees, and older individuals,” Kohler explained.
Competitive Play and Future Prospects
Competitive pickleball in France is still in its early stages, but since April 1, 2024, 90 sanctioned tournaments have been organized.
The FFT oversees the biggest competitions, including the Open de France, which will be held from January 17 to 19 in Marcq-en-Barœul. This event will feature the best French players, including top-ranked players like Peltier and Dhenin.
Globally, pickleball is also gaining momentum, with major competitions taking place in countries like the United States and Australia.
A major event is set for January 24 to 26 in Melbourne, where the world’s top pickleball players, including Dhenin and Peltier, will compete for a grand prize of 100,000 Australian dollars.
News in Brief: Rise of Pickleball in France
Pickleball is growing rapidly in France, with 12,000 regular players and the FFT leading its development. The sport’s accessibility and increasing number of courts have helped its rise. France is also seeing more competitive events, with the Open de France and international competitions like the Grand Slam in Melbourne drawing attention.
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