Pickleball Boom in Coimbatore: Pickleball is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports in Coimbatore. Since October 2024, the district has seen a major rise in the number of players and courts. What started with just one commercial court in Ponniahrajapuram has now grown to more than 100 courts in just 10 months.
A Sport for Everyone
Pickleball combines parts of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Its simple rules, easy access, and low cost make it a hit with people of all ages. Players say it is fun, relaxing, and helps them stay fit.
“We usually come as a group of working professionals. Up to eight people could share a court for an hour, making it both cost-effective and enjoyable,” said R Ronak, a regular player.
“Pickleball is less intense compared to other sports, making it friendly for the beginners. It helps us stay fit, feel relaxed and build new connections,” he added.
S Ishwarya from Lakshmi Mills has been playing with her eight-year-old son Vivin every day for the past two months. She said, “It’s both interesting and challenging. It requires a lot of concentration. We have been playing every single day without a break.”
She also believes the sport can help children grow. “I also see it as a way to instil concentration and discipline in my child at a young age.”
Court Owners and Community Growth
Abhilasha Damodharan, co-founder of the Sports Hive pickleball court at Nava India, said, “Coimbatore is a sport-loving city with a strong base of tennis, badminton and table tennis players. Hence, it is natural for people here to take up pickleball. Court charges range from Rs750 to Rs850 per hour. Most court owners provide paddles and balls for the players.”
She also spoke about the community spirit. “We are building a community. Each court has its own WhatsApp group. If only two people are available to play, they post in the group to check if others could join. Those who are free, respond and come to play. It’s often used as a networking space. All courts could be booked through apps like Turf Town. We offer discounts on the app, and corporates frequently book courts for their employees.”
Tournaments and Rankings
National-level player Rithika Ramakrishna from Coimbatore said that anyone can get better at pickleball with regular practice. She explained how rankings help players improve.
“Ranking systems like Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) and Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) help measure and track player performance based on the match results and statistics. These ratings allow players to gauge their skill level, improve their game and compete with similarly ranked opponents in tournaments,” said Rithika.
She also announced a major event for the city. “The Coimbatore Pickleball Open is scheduled to be held on August 23 and 24 this year, with players from across India expected to participate. The tournament is a PWR 200 ranking event and the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu.”
What This Means for Coimbatore
The fast rise of pickleball shows how much the people of Coimbatore enjoy playing sports. The sport is attracting both beginners and experienced players. With more courts and national-level events on the way, pickleball is shaping up to be one of the city’s favorite activities.
News in Brief: Pickleball Boom in Coimbatore
Pickleball is booming in Coimbatore, growing from one court to over 100 in just 10 months. Players across the city are joining in for fitness, fun, and social connection. The Coimbatore Pickleball Open on August 23–24 marks Tamil Nadu’s first major tournament, drawing national attention.
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