Pickleball and its growing attraction for all kinds of players

Judging from the response to the game in the last couple of decades, pickleball is going to overtake tennis, at least in Mumbai where people line up to play.

– Shruthi Singh

On a vibrant Sunday morning in March, at the DSF Pickleball Court in Dahisar, which is in north Mumbai,  the sun hung high in the sky, its scorching rays reaching their peak intensity. The temperature was already in the mid-thirties, yet it seemed to have little effect on the group of passionate sports enthusiasts who had gathered for a spirited game of pickleball. Despite the relentless sun beating down, they stood in long, patient lines, eager to take their turn and experience the thrill of this fast-growing sport. The air was thick with excitement as each player waited anxiously, their anticipation rising with each passing minute.

As the matches on each of the three courts available continued, one could see the passion in the players’ eyes. The lines stretched further as more people joined the lines, undeterred by the blazing sun. It was clear that for these individuals, the enjoyment of the game and the camaraderie it fostered were far more important than the harshness of the sun. The sun may have been at its highest, but the energy of the pickleball players was even higher, a testament to how deeply this sport had taken root in the hearts of many across the country.

Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity not only in Mumbai but also across India and globally. This sport, which combines elements of badminton, table tennis, and lawn tennis, has captured the attention of sports enthusiasts due to its simplicity and accessibility. It’s a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to seniors, making it a sport suitable for everyone.

A fast-paced racket or paddle sport that can be played in either singles or doubles formats, players use a smooth-faced paddle to strike a perforated, hollow plastic ball, aiming to send it over a net that is at a height of 34 inches. The objective of the game is for one side to prevent the opposing team from returning the ball or to force a rule violation. The game is flexible, allowing play both indoors and outdoors, making it accessible in various environments.

According to Google, Pickleball originated in 1965 as a casual backyard activity for children on Bainbridge Island, located in the state of Washington, United States. Since then, the sport has grown significantly in popularity across all age groups. In recognition of its cultural impact and widespread appeal, Pickleball was officially named the state sport of Washington in 2021.

In India, it was introduced by Sunil Valavalkar, who serves as a full-time director at GTL Limited, a telecom company with offices based out Navi Mumbai. Basically a tennis player, his interest in the game was sparked off during a visit to Canada in 2000, when he played it every day for three months.

In 2008, he founded the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) to promote the sport, which has since gained traction across multiple states, including Maharashtra. For over 15 years, he has played a key role in driving the growth and popularity of Pickleball throughout the country. Today, he is still the vice president of the AIPA.

The Times Now reported in September 2024 that over 50,000 people in India had played the game over the previous 18 months and at the time there were over 500 courts throughout the country, with 40 or 50 new courts being added every month.

The popularity of pickleball is causing waiting lists for booking courts. Its increasing reach is attracting sponsors and investment. With the growing popularity and appreciation of pickleball in India, many sports clubs have responded by turning their lawn tennis courts into pickleball courts.

In cities like Mumbai, prominent sports clubs such as Willingdon Catholic gymkhana, Khar Sports Club, Poisar Gymkhana, and several others have made significant accommodations to cater to the increasing demand for this exciting sport. In Mumbai, there are at least 120 courts and growing every week. This shift reflects the rise in the game’s popularity and the clubs’ commitment to offering diverse sports facilities to their members, ensuring they stay at the forefront of emerging trends in the world of sports.

The rise of this game in India has taken the interest of this sport to a whole new level that resulted in the AIPA holding its first ever World Pickleball Championship in Mumbai from November 12 to 17 last year.  Around 16 countries from across the globe participated in this championship. Players, both from India and abroad ranged in age from  8 years to above 60.

In an interview with Debra D’cruz (37), a two-time gold medallist in Mixed Doubles Advanced and Women’s Doubles Advanced, she shared how this platform is providing opportunities for both the youth and the elderly. When asked about the government’s role in promoting pickleball, she said, “The game is gaining popularity, and large companies are investing in it. I’m not sure how much the government is involved, but the AIPA association is doing a lot for the sport. The Indian team, for example, receives full sponsorship from the association, allowing them to train and compete for the country.” She further added, “As the game continues to grow, the government will gradually step in to provide recognition and support.”

Nikhil Mathure, the Treasurer of the AIPA, said, “The government has paid considerable attention to pickleball as an emerging sport and has extended encouraging support. With the recognition of the sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), we are confident that it’s only a matter of time before pickleball is included in the National Sports Federation (NSF). This milestone will open the door to even greater growth, development, and, ultimately, its inclusion in the Olympics.”

During the World Pickleball Championship, there were plenty of spectators, another indication of the popularity of the game.. Shreyansh Mohta, the president of the Vidarbha Pickleball Association and an avid sports enthusiast, shared his thoughts on his interest in the sport. When asked what drew him to pickleball, he said, “It’s an easy sport to learn and adapt to. When I started playing, I didn’t take any coaching; I just jumped into the game.”

Asked about the future of pickleball in India, he expressed optimism, saying, “I believe the sport has a bright future here. Just like it has grown in the West, it’s following a similar path in India. It holds great potential.”

In a country like India, where cricket is revered almost like a religion, will a sport like pickleball ever reach the same level of popularity? In response, Mohta said, “Not to that extent, but it will definitely grow. While it may never become a sport in India followed as fanatically as cricket, it will certainly become a trending sport in the country.”

Pickleball’s massive popularity has piqued interest in sports enthusiasts as well as celebrity, so that everyone is playing this game wholeheartedly. AIPA has declared actor Mandira Bedi as the ambassador of the All India Pickleball Association.

Mathure also spoke about what the AIPA is doing to further popularise this game. “The AIPA is conducting workshops, tournaments, and awareness campaigns across India. We are also working with schools and colleges to introduce pickleball to younger audiences. Collaborations with corporate sponsors and media coverage have further amplified our reach.”

Recently, AIPA, alongside their co-founders, former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, launched the first-ever pickleball league in Mumbai. The tournament featured six teams owned by celebrities and corporate leaders. The teams included Mumbai Pickle Power, owned by Swiggy; Dilli Dilwale, owned by tennis great Ashok Amritraj; Pune United, owned by Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh; Chennai Super Champs, owned by actor Samantha Prabhu; Hyderabad Superstars, owned by KLO Sports; and Bengaluru Jawans, owned by director and screen writer Atlee Kumar. The league began on January 24 and concluded on February 2, with Bengaluru Jawans winning the inaugural edition.

When asked about her experience being part of the winning team and the significance of such a major event taking place in India, Vrushali Thakare of Bengaluru Jawans shared, “It’s truly amazing to see how much exposure everyone is getting. There are players from other countries, and we are learning so much from them. At the same time, it’s great to witness such a massive event happening in India, which is a proud moment for both us and the sport of pickleball. I’m really happy to be a part of the World Pickleball League.”

Among those clubs holding tournaments is the Cricket Club of India (CCI), having hosted both the World Pickleball Championship and the World Pickleball League in collaboration with AIPA. The club has played a key role in promoting emerging sports by organizing such events. When Shyam Makharya, a CCI member, was asked what motivated them to host these pickleball events, he shared, “CCI is a renowned club, and we support a wide range of sports. Pickleball has gained tremendous global popularity, including in India, and it is particularly favoured by younger people who enjoy it more than tennis. This growing interest inspired our club to host the International Pickleball League.”

When asked about future plans to expand the leagues and championships, Makharya responded, “Our goal is to turn these into a global league through CCI, and we have the capability to make it happen. We have ample funding and a strong passion for sports, as well as a sports-loving club. Brabourne Stadium is already well-known, and we want people to recognize it, even in the context of pickleball.”

The surge in popularity has not only garnered attention for the sport itself but has also raised awareness about a variety of other sports that exist beyond the traditional staples of cricket and football, which dominate the sports landscape in India.

This growing interest has sparked curiosity and enthusiasm among people, encouraging them to explore and engage in a wider range of sports. As a result, more individuals are now discovering the joys of playing sports they might not have otherwise considered, thus broadening the sporting culture in the country. The rise of pickleball is helping to foster a more diverse and inclusive sports environment, where people are increasingly open to trying new activities and embracing the idea that there is much more to sports than just cricket and football.