Pickleball’s Unstoppable Rise: Pickleball’s growth has sparked a growing divide between tennis players and fans of the newer sport. While pickleball continues to draw a massive following, its rapid expansion has caused concern among tennis fans, many of whom view it as more than just competition. With its increasing popularity, especially after the pandemic, pickleball’s impact on tennis infrastructure is undeniable, as highlighted by recent statistics and notable figures within tennis.
Tennis Courts Under Siege
The rise in pickleball participation has led to a significant issue—court space. According to a post by The Kitchen Pickleball, approximately 10% of tennis courts in the U.S. have been repurposed for pickleball.
This shift has been acknowledged by Lew Sherr, CEO of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), who pointed out that accommodating both sports on the same courts is becoming increasingly difficult.
“There are not enough courts to support tennis growth. And court infrastructure being compromised with people playing pickleball on those courts or courts being repainted.” – (Lew Sherr)
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Pickleball’s Increasing Popularity
The rise of pickleball has been staggering. A 2024 report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association estimates 13.6 million players in the U.S. alone. The sport saw a 223.5% increase in participation since 2020, driven in part by the pandemic’s impact on outdoor recreation.
Alongside the surge in players, high-profile tennis figures have also jumped into the pickleball arena. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are set to compete in the third edition of the Pickleball Slam in February 2025, further solidifying the sport’s mainstream appeal.
Capital Investment and Industry Growth
The financial backing for pickleball continues to grow, with notable investments from groups like The Avenue Sports Fund. In June 2024, the fund invested in CityPickle, which is expanding its permanent indoor pickleball clubs and targeting metropolitan areas.
This growth is causing growing resentment within the tennis community, as clubs and facilities turn to pickleball to capitalize on the sport’s rapid popularity.
“Reminder: pickleball is an astroturfed, venture capital-backed parasite on public space.” – (Club Leftist Tennis)
Tennis Players Speak Out
The rise of pickleball isn’t just causing concern among fans but also among tennis professionals. Novak Djokovic, in particular, voiced his concerns about the sport’s impact, stating that “on a club level, tennis is endangered.”
“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)
Djokovic warned that if the trend continues, tennis clubs could be converted into pickleball facilities, as the latter offers a more economical alternative. Other tennis figures, like Alexis Ohanian, have echoed similar concerns about the sport’s trajectory.
“Until I see a pickleball highlight go viral, I don’t think it’s a real sport.” – (Alexis Ohanian)
News in Brief: Pickleball’s Unstoppable Rise
Pickleball’s rise is causing growing tensions between the sport and tennis. According to the USTA, pickleball has taken over 10% of tennis courts in the U.S., straining court availability. The sport’s popularity surged during the pandemic, with 13.6 million players in the U.S.
By 2025, figures like Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will compete in the Pickleball Slam, while capital investments, like The Avenue Sports Fund’s contribution to CityPickle, are fueling further growth. Tennis figures like Novak Djokovic have voiced concerns over the sport’s impact on tennis facilities.