National Pickleball Day Grand Central: National Pickleball Day and the sport’s 60th birthday were marked with a special event on Friday morning at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The celebration included a live broadcast on FOX & Friends from Vanderbilt Hall, located inside the famous train station.
Exhibition Match Highlights Pickleball’s Growth
FOX News reporter Griff Jenkins joined a fun exhibition match with professional pickleball player Zane Navratil of the MLP’s New Jersey 5s team, former tennis star Genie Bouchard from the MLP’s Phoenix Flames, and six-time NFL Pro Bowler Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. This event was notable as it featured the first-ever regulation pickleball court inside Grand Central Terminal.
Chad Johnson shared his excitement: “It’s National Pickleball Day, right? So what better place to be than right here in New York. I’m here on behalf of DoorDash, so I’m coming out of retirement and I’m playing on the pro circuit – and I’m going to deliver. That’s it. I promise you.” Though new to the sport, Johnson showed plenty of confidence. When asked if he loved the game, he replied, “The game loves me.” He encouraged Jenkins with, “You’ll be fine. It’s all about confidence… pretending like you know what you’re doing.”
Genie Bouchard, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, explained why she enjoys pickleball: “I joined the pickleball ranks because of the social aspect. It’s so fun. Pickleball is taking over. Everyone in the country is obsessed with it, so it’s fun to be a part of something that’s growing so much.”
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Community Events Bring Pickleball to New York
The weekend featured “Pickleball in the Hall,” a pop-up event presented by DoorDash MLP Finals. Visitors of all ages and skill levels could play for free. CityPickle professionals led clinics, and there were reserved times for open play. All clinic spots were filled within 30 minutes of registration opening.
Later this month, the DoorDash MLP Finals will be held at CityPickle at Wollman Rink from August 22 to August 24, making New York City a key location for pickleball fans.
This celebration and the new events show how pickleball is growing quickly and gaining new players in large cities. By holding games and clinics in busy public places like Grand Central Terminal, pickleball is becoming easier to try and enjoy for everyone.
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News in Brief: National Pickleball Day Grand Central
National Pickleball Day and pickleball’s 60th birthday were celebrated at Grand Central Terminal, New York City. FOX News reporter Griff Jenkins, Zane Navratil, Genie Bouchard, and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson played an exhibition match on the first regulation court inside the terminal. Free clinics and open play were offered over the weekend.
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