Pickleball Sparks Unlikely Friendship: For Todd “Happy” Boynton, pickleball isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. As the self-appointed recruiter for his pickleball squadron in Greenfield, Massachusetts, he lives by four simple rules: Don’t get hurt, have fun, don’t be a jerk, and “the more the merrier.”
That last rule led him to Gabor “Gabe” Temesvari, an 82-year-old retired teacher who had spent decades playing tennis and squash. Two years ago, Boynton spotted Temesvari hitting tennis balls alone on a court in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
At first, Temesvari resisted the idea of switching sports. But after Boynton handed him a paddle and invited him to hit, everything changed.
“I didn’t think that I was as good as I wanted to be right away, but I said, ‘Eh, I think I can handle this.’ ” – (Temesvari)
By the next day, he had bought his paddle, and since then, he’s been playing almost daily.
The Pickleball Rise and Its Benefits
Temesvari and Boynton are part of pickleball’s rapid growth. Once a niche sport, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America for four consecutive years, with nearly 50 million players nationwide.
The sport is easy to learn, has a lower impact on joints than tennis, and provides a strong social element. It also offers significant health benefits. Studies show that playing pickleball burns more calories than walking and keeps players in moderate to vigorous heart rate zones, similar to tennis.
A 2023 Apple Heart and Movement Study found that pickleball players averaged 90-minute sessions, helping improve cardiovascular health. The game also reduces stress, and research has shown that players are far less likely to report depression compared to those who do not participate in racquet sports.
Dr. Calum MacRae, MD, PhD, who led the study, emphasized pickleball benefits. He noted that the sport is excellent for maintaining musculoskeletal and cardiac fitness while also being accessible to a wide range of ages.
Pickleball as a Lifeline
For Temesvari, pickleball has been a way to heal after personal loss. After losing his wife of 54 years and his youngest daughter, he found comfort in the game and the community around it.
“Pickleball has really been my salvation. It’s because of all the new friends I’ve made that I’ve been able to go on. My happiest moments now are on the court, in the presence of these people.” – (Temesvari)
For Boynton, the sport played a crucial role in turning his life around. Before discovering the sport, he battled alcoholism, depression, and weight gain. At 350 pounds, he found himself unmotivated to exercise after long days as a roofer. Pickleball provided a fresh start. It gave him an enjoyable way to stay active and connected with others.
“By hanging out with him, he’s keeping me alive. He’s got me working out every day, and it’s fun. I do it because I look forward to it.” – (Boynton)
Pickleball’s Social and Competitive Edge
Despite their nearly 30-year age difference, Boynton and Temesvari have become close friends. Temesvari still plays tennis in the morning, pickleball in the afternoon, and squash in the evening. He jokes about limiting himself, but he enjoys every moment on the court.
Boynton shakes his head, saying Temesvari now wears him down instead. Pickleball is known for being welcoming and social, but Temesvari takes competition seriously. He admits that he does not like to lose.
Rule Number One: Don’t Get Hurt—But Have Fun
One day, Boynton got a call that Temesvari had collapsed on the court and was rushed to the ER. Arriving at the hospital, he found his friend in good spirits. Temesvari had crashed into a post chasing a shot after playing all morning without enough water.
“He knew I’d be mad at him for breaking rule number one, which is don’t get hurt.” – (Boynton)
“But rule number two is have fun. I was having fun.” – (Temesvari)
Future of Pickleball and Its Community
Pickleball continues to attract new players across all age groups. For seniors, it provides a way to stay active, a built-in social network, and a way to maintain physical and mental health.
For younger players, it offers an easy entry point into racquet sports and a high-energy workout. For Boynton and Temesvari, it has provided a friendship they never expected.
“He’s not my father, but he’s probably within days of the age of my actual father. I love yelling things over the net that I maybe couldn’t yell at my dad.” – (Boynton)
Temesvari nods, smiling.
“We do horse around a lot on the courts, and we do razz each other quite a bit. But I think humor is essential. Physically, it’s great to move and to stay in shape, but if you can’t laugh and have a good outlook on life, there are too many things that could get you down.” – (Temesvari)
News in Brief: Pickleball Sparks Unlikely Friendship
Pickleball brought Todd “Happy” Boynton, 56, and Gabor “Gabe” Temesvari, 82, together in Greenfield, Massachusetts, forming an unlikely friendship. The fastest-growing sport in America helped both men stay active, build connections, and improve their health. For Temesvari, the sport provided healing after personal loss, while for Boynton, it became a lifeline to sobriety and fitness.
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