Coimbatore’s Pickleball Revolution: Coimbatore is seeing a sharp rise in pickleball’s popularity. From gated communities to indoor arenas, people of all ages are playing the fast-growing sport. Known for its easy rules and social appeal, pickleball is now played across the city with new pickleball courts and clubs opening quickly.
A Sport That’s Easy to Learn and Fun to Play
Pickleball, a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is becoming a favorite in Coimbatore. Its small court and light paddles make it simple to start and fun to continue. Dr. Charanya Anbuselvan, a 40-year-old pediatrician, has embraced the game.
“I started playing pickleball two years ago, thanks to my sister. I recently won a tournament in Pattaya. Tennis was hard to keep up with because of time and court access, and it demands more fitness. Pickleball is much more accessible — I even recommend it to my patients and their parents.” – (Anbuselvan)
She plays at an outdoor pickleball court near her clinic in Chinnavedampatti.
“We’re also working on forming a pickleball association in Coimbatore.” – (Anbuselvan)
Local Interest Turns into Full Courts and New Venues
Santhosh Punithavelu, a businessman, discovered the game through family.
“We used to play cricket, but that needs a group. Pickleball just needs four people for doubles. Now, I play regularly.” – (Punithavelu)
Deepak Kumar started playing with other dads from his child’s school.
“Now we’re all good friends. It’s not just about fitness — it builds real connections.” – (Kumar)
Seeing the rising interest, entrepreneurs started opening dedicated courts. Surender Vittel and three partners launched Neon Pickleball in Kalapatti last November.
“When we entered the sports space, pickleball stood out. We saw it booming in cities like Chennai and Bengaluru. So, we decided to bring it here.” – (Surender Vittel)
Neon, Coimbatore’s first indoor pickleball court, has already hosted a tournament and a masterclass by national player Vimalraj Jayachandran.
“People came from Madurai, Trichy, Salem and Chennai. The feedback was incredible. Now, we get bookings every hour — mornings and evenings are full, and even weekends are double-packed.” – (Surender)
The centre runs from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with bookings required for at least an hour.
“People love it — even if only two come, they’ll book the full court. The energy is great.” – (Surender)
Ashvin Kumar, one of Neon’s co-founders, recalls his first time trying it.
“I thought pickleball had something to do with pickles — like oorga. But after trying it for 30 minutes, I was sweating and smiling. I had never played a sport before, but I was hooked.” – (Ashvin Kumar)
“Most people want to play something, but don’t know how to start. Pickleball is the gateway. It’s accessible and makes you feel good about yourself.” – (Ashvin kumar)
Early Centres Lead the Way in Growth
Zero Zero Two, one of the city’s first pickleball clubs, opened in Ponniah Raja Puram in October 2024. “I initially suggested badminton, but my friend proposed pickleball,” says co-founder Kush Pasari.
More centres have opened since then, including AFS in Saibaba Colony and Hercules Pickleball Centre.
“We are building a community. Every court has its own WhatsApp group to guide new players. All of the courts can also be booked through apps like Turf Town. We offer discounts to school kids during the day and host regular tournaments. On weekends, families book the court for hours. Everyone plays — kids, parents, even grandparents.” – (kush)
Kush reports their revenue has doubled in six months.
“Despite new courts opening, demand is growing. The more people see it, the more they want to try.” – (kush)
He hopes to grow beyond Coimbatore.
“We’ve had inquiries from other cities. We want to open more Zero Zero Two courts. Our goal is to build a community, not just a business.” – (kush)
National Momentum and Olympic Hopes
National-level player and TV commentator Vimalraj sees the sport growing across India.
“No one imagined this growth. Even Thoothukudi has courts now. You don’t need a sports background to enjoy it. I’ve seen 60-year-olds play with joy.” – (Vimalraj)
His workshop in Coimbatore drew 60 players.
“The turnout was amazing — lots of women, lots of enthusiasm. We’re planning another one soon.” – (Vimalraj)
He says the city is ready for more.
“Many business owners in Coimbatore have approached me to understand how to open courts or invest in leagues. The city has the appetite — and the talent — to make a mark nationally.” – (Vimalraj)
Looking ahead, Vimalraj dreams big.
“India could genuinely win a medal in pickleball. We’re strong, especially in the south. With leagues being planned, even involving film stars, this could be the next IPL-style phenomenon.” – (Vimalraj)
News in Brief: Coimbatore’s Pickleball Revolution
Pickleball is rising in Coimbatore with new courts, clubs, and players joining every week. The easy-to-learn sport is bringing people together and drawing major interest from across Tamil Nadu and beyond. Indoor centers like Neon and Zero Zero Two are leading this growth, with national players backing its future.
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