Our friend Peggy who is just getting into the sport after years for not wanting to joins us for her take on the great PB v Tennis debate. Give her a follow on insta to track her progress.
Guest Post
Introduction: My Love-Hate Relationship with Pickleball
The featured image on this post says it all. I took this last Sunday at some local tennis courts. A beautiful Sunday morning, mind you. The first nice day of spring. The tennis courts were packed and there was this couple taking up a whole court playing pickleball.
Alright, y’all, let me tell you a little story about my love-hate relationship with pickleball. I’m a 55-year-old black professional who has been playing tennis all my life. When I first heard about this newfangled game called pickleball, I rolled my eyes so hard, I think I sprained them.
I mean, come on, a whiffle ball? It’s like playing with a toy. And the court is so small, it’s like playing tennis in a closet. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to waste their time playing such a silly game.
But, as fate would have it, I ended up trying it out one day with some friends, and to my surprise, I actually enjoyed it. Don’t get me wrong, I still love tennis, but pickleball has its charms.
The Appeal of Pickleball: It’s a Bit of a Joke, but It’s Fun
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “But tennis is a real sport!” Yes, yes, I know. But hear me out, pickleball is like the goofy cousin of tennis. It’s a bit of a joke, but it’s fun.
And let’s be real, as we get older, it’s not as easy to run around a full-sized tennis court for hours on end. Pickleball’s smaller court size and slower pace make it a great alternative for those of us who still want to stay active without feeling like we’re going to keel over at any moment.
Plus, it’s a great way to mix things up and keep your skills sharp. You may be a tennis pro, but let me tell you, pickleball requires a whole different set of skills. You need quick reflexes and a light touch to really excel at this game.
The Rise of Pickleball: It’s Taking Over Tennis Courts Everywhere
But let’s talk about the real reason why pickleball has been gaining so much popularity lately. It’s taking over tennis courts everywhere! I mean, I’m not even exaggerating. It’s like a pickleball invasion.
And while I used to be annoyed at the idea of losing tennis courts to pickleball, I’ve come to accept that it’s just the way things are. Tennis will always be my first love, but I can’t deny the appeal ofpickleball.
reminder: pickleball is a astroturfed, venture capital-backed parasite on public space. across the country, inclusive and diverse tennis communities are getting smeared as stuffy and conservative so that their courts can be ripped up and replaced with something more profitable.
— Club Leftist Tennis (@ClubLeftTennis) September 21, 2022
THis dude is pissed! Check out his substack.
Impact on Tennis: Tennis Courts are Disappearing, but That’s Okay
Now, I know some of you die-hard tennis fans are probably still fuming at the thought of pickleball taking over. And I get it, I really do. But hear me out, tennis courts are disappearing left and right, and if we don’t start embracing other sports, we may find ourselves with no courts left to play on.
So, instead of being angry at pickleball, let’s learn to coexist with it. Who knows, maybe we can even learn a thing or two from our silly little cousin sport.
Conclusion: Give Pickleball a Chance
In conclusion, I never thought I’d say this, but give pickleball a chance. It may seem like a joke at first, but it’s actually a lot of fun. And who knows, maybe it’ll even make you a better tennis player.
So, next time you see a group of pickleball players on a tennis court, don’t scowl at them. Give it a try! You might just surprise yourself. And if you still don’t like it, well, at least you gave it a shot.
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