The rapid rise of pickleball is creating a noticeable impact in the world of tennis. While a tennis court can accommodate a maximum of four players for doubles, it’s possible for up to 16 players to engage in four simultaneous pickleball games on the same court. This stark difference underscores the greater commercial appeal of pickleball compared to tennis.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, pickleball has taken over about 10% of the nation’s tennis courts. Lew Sherr, CEO of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), candidly noted, “There aren’t enough courts to support the growth of tennis. The infrastructure for tennis is being diminished as people switch to pickleball or have courts repainted for pickleball use.”
A report from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) this past February revealed that the popularity of pickleball has surged by a staggering 223.5% in the past three years. Over the last year alone, more than 10 million people have participated, with enthusiasts frequenting around 65,000 courts nationwide. Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball, remarked, “If I were a tennis player, I wouldn’t want to see this either, but the market will find its way.”
On the flip side, the resurgence of tennis is projected to push the number of tennis participants over 24.5 million this year, with estimations predicting growth to 35 million by 2035. Sherr emphasized, “Tennis is developing continuously and unprecedentedly, which does create some pressure,” adding, “We will do everything we can to maintain tennis infrastructure.”
However, the appeal of pickleball is hard to ignore for private clubs. One court can host 16 pickleball players at once, compared to just four for tennis. With the threat of tennis courts being repurposed for pickleball, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic expressed concern: “If we don’t take action, we’ll see more tennis courts turning into cricket or pickleball courts because it’s cheaper.”
To combat this trend, the USTA is actively promoting a tennis variant called “Red Ball Tennis.” This version of the sport requires no special training for beginners and doesn’t necessitate any modifications to existing courts. Currently, about 20,000 participants are involved, but this figure pales in comparison to the millions engaged in pickleball.
Sherr stated, “If we don’t grow or if tennis players leave, the situation will be very different,” emphasizing, “Participation is not a zero-sum game, but competition for playing space is.”
The surge in pickleball participation has led to a scarcity of available courts. For instance, New York City’s famed Wollman Rink is being transformed into a pickleball practice area during the summer, allowing the public to play.
