Pickleball in India: Abhishek Madhukar, a tennis player from Lucknow, discovered pickleball early one morning when the unusual sound of ‘tak, tak, tak’ from a badminton court caught his attention. Intrigued, he watched players enjoying the sport and quickly decided to give it a try. After just a few rounds, he was hooked. What began as a hobby transformed into a business venture, leading to the creation of Quadwoke, a one-stop solution for all things pickleball.
Rise of Pickleball in India
Once seen as a pastime for retirees, pickleball is now gaining traction in India. Madhukar noted that the sport is attracting players of all ages, saying,
“Whether it be in societies or clubs, the sport is clearly growing. I also found that everyone, from 6 to 70, was playing pickleball, and that’s when I realised there was a huge business opportunity here.” – (Madhukar)
Despite the growing interest, there are only about 1,000 pickleball courts in the country.
Low-Cost Investment and High Demand
Pickleball courts require only a quarter of the space of tennis courts and can be built for around Rs 50,000. With demand increasing, rental prices for courts have risen to Rs 1,800 an hour.
Experts believe that profits can be made in the first year after covering the setup costs. Madhukar highlighted the affordability of pickleball equipment, stating that players need just a paddle costing Rs 2,500 and a wiffle ball.
Expanding Infrastructure
Three to four years ago, pickleball faced competition from badminton due to a lack of designated courts. Now, courts are appearing in metro areas like Delhi and Mumbai and in Tier 2 cities like Ahmedabad and Coimbatore. Manish Rao, a member of the Global Pickleball Federation, explained,
“A single tennis court can be converted into multiple pickleball courts, usually measuring 22 x 40 feet, increasing usage and revenue potential.” – (Manish Rao)
Quadwoke’s Vision for the Future
Quadwoke has opened its first pickleball facility in Lucknow, featuring cafés and restrooms, and is sponsoring tournaments and rising stars in the sport.
“India is almost 3-4 years behind the US in terms of pickleball infrastructure. Part of the appeal of pickleball is that it is a very non-technical game where you can play with your kids, wife and parents. In the 90s and early 2000s, there used to be picnics that we used to enjoy with our family. This sport allows you to go back to those days.” – (Madhukar)
This sport not only brings families together but also has the potential to grow significantly in India.
News in Brief: Pickleball in India
Abhishek Madhukar, a tennis player from Lucknow, founded Quadwoke after discovering pickleball and recognizing its potential in India. Once a pastime for retirees, the sport is now attracting players of all ages, with only about 1,000 courts nationwide.
Quadwoke has opened its first facility in Lucknow, aiming to promote pickleball and sponsor tournaments, capitalizing on the sport’s rapid growth and family-friendly appeal.
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