Serena Williams’ Husband Thrashes Pickleball: Tennis and pickleball share surface-level similarities, but for die-hard tennis fans, pickleball often sparks a debate. The rapid growth of pickleball has stirred mixed emotions, especially among tennis enthusiasts. One such voice is Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams. While Ohanian is a tennis fan due to his connection to Williams, he recently shared a rather blunt opinion about pickleball, analyzing it from a business perspective.
In a recent interview, Ohanian explained why he doesn’t consider pickleball a legitimate sport. “Can the atomic unit—can its fundamental highlights—go viral?” Ohanian posed during his interview with Adweek. He added, “Until I see a pickleball highlight go viral, I don’t think it’s a real sport.”
His remarks stem from his understanding of the digital age, where virality can validate a sport’s legitimacy. His statements also come when there’s been a push to include pickleball in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
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Olympic Push and Backlash from the Tennis World
Despite pickleball’s growth, especially in the U.S., it has faced strong resistance. ESPN recently posted on Instagram about pickleball’s potential inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, sparking immediate backlash. Fans and critics voiced their disapproval, mirroring the sentiment expressed by Ohanian.
Tennis purists aren’t alone in their concerns. In September 2022, Club Leftist Tennis, a Brooklyn-based group, launched an anti-pickleball campaign. They tweeted, “Reminder: pickleball is an astroturfed, venture capital-backed parasite on public space.”
Such opposition has been gaining momentum, with several tennis players subtly pushing back against pickleball’s rapid expansion. Many within the tennis community fear the growth of pickleball is coming at the expense of tennis.
Djokovic’s Concerns Over Pickleball’s Rise
Ohanian is not the first major figure to critique pickleball. Tennis star Novak Djokovic previously shared his concerns about the impact pickleball could have on tennis, particularly at the club level.
“On a club level, tennis is endangered. If we don’t do something about it…they’re gonna convert all the tennis clubs into paddle and pickleball. Because it’s more economical.” – (Djokovic)
The tennis community remains wary as pickleball continues its meteoric rise in popularity, especially in the United States. Participation in pickleball skyrocketed by 50% from 2022 to 2023, reaching over 13.6 million players.
The Growing Debate Between Tennis and Pickleball
The pickleball vs. tennis debate is only growing more heated, and Ohanian’s recent comments are adding fuel to the fire. His stance, rooted in business and virality, contrasts sharply with the support pickleball has garnered from millions of new players. With tensions high, it remains to be seen whether any pickleball supporters or organizations will respond to Ohanian’s remarks. For now, the sport’s advocates continue to push for its inclusion in major sporting events, even as the tennis community remains divided.
News in Brief: Serena Williams’ Husband Thrashes Pickleball
Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and husband of Serena Williams, critiqued pickleball, questioning its legitimacy as a sport. He argued that without viral highlights, pickleball doesn’t qualify as a real sport in today’s digital age. Ohanian’s comments follow a growing debate about pickleball’s rise, particularly its possible inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tennis figures like Novak Djokovic have also voiced concerns over pickleball’s impact on tennis, with many fearing tennis clubs will be converted to pickleball courts. Despite the backlash, pickleball’s popularity continues to surge in the U.S.
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