Andy Roddick and Brené Brown: Andy Roddick, the former tennis star, recently discussed pickleball on his podcast, “Served with Andy Roddick,” during a live episode at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Joined by author and pickleball enthusiast Brené Brown, they explored the growing popularity of pickleball and its differences from tennis.
Pickleball vs. Tennis
Brown, an avid pickleball player, emphasized the distinct nature of pickleball compared to tennis.
“They’re not the same game. Pickleball is not a miniature version of tennis — they’re different games, for different people, for different reasons.” – (brown)
She highlighted the strong sense of community within pickleball. Both Roddick and Brown shared a humorous exchange, with Brown stating,
“But hey, a street fight comes, I’m going with the pickleball players.” – (brown)
Roddick responded with his trademark wit,
“They roll that hard? I didn’t realize pickleballers were a national security concern.” – (Roddick)
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Court Space Controversy
The conversation also touched on the ongoing tension over court space. Brown clarified that the issue involves pickleball players wanting to use tennis courts.
“We wouldn’t be putting the pickleball courts in if the tennis courts were full and paid for.” – (Roddick)
While Roddick enjoys pickleball’s growth, he prefers tennis.
“On a participatory level, I love pickleball. I think it’s brought a ton of joy to a ton of people. It’s not for me, yet. I enjoy it; I choose tennis when I get to play.” – (Roddick)
Unique Competitive Nature
Roddick noted that pickleball has a unique competitive arc.
“I think it’s the only professional sport where the better you get, the more it slows down.” – (Roddick)
Ultimately, both he and Brown agreed that “comparison is impossible,” yet they found joy in discussing the differences. The discussion highlights the growing interest in pickleball and its unique place in sports culture. As the sport continues to grow, conversations like these will help bridge understanding between different communities and foster a more inclusive sports environment.
News in Brief: Andy Roddick and Brené Brown
Andy Roddick discussed pickleball with Brené Brown on his podcast at SXSW. They explored the differences between pickleball and tennis, addressing the ongoing court-sharing controversy. Both agreed on pickleball’s unique competitive nature while Roddick expressed his preference for tennis, highlighting the sport’s joyful impact.
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