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There’s a new game on the courts – pickleball, and it’s on almost everyone’s mind. Combining elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, the rise of this paddle sport is evident and even celebrities are turning to fitness. After the game became so popular, actor Ben Stiller announced that he would be producing a comedy film, The DinkBased on sports. Former tennis champion Andy Roddick will also make his Hollywood debut in the film Pickleball. for his new song fortnightTaylor Swift shared a glimpse of the past “fortnight” of her life, where the singer is seen on the court with a pickleball racket in hand. Actor Jamie Foxx is known for throwing pickleball-themed parties at his Los Angeles estate with cardio classes, swimming, taco trucks, and even a DJ.
According to a 2024 Sports and Fitness Industry Association report, the number of players of this game in the United States is expected to reach 13.6 million in 2023. Celebs like Michelle Pfeiffer, Kelly Rowland and Selena Gomez, actors Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney along with his wife Amal Clooney also enjoy the game.
Pickleball is gaining fans internationally, but India is not far behind. Tennis star Andre Agassi also visited India last month to promote pickleball. Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu has her own pickleball team and Vijay Deverakonda isn’t shy about posting about his progress, the sport has got the seal of approval from Indian celebs too.
But why is this game so crazy among both young and old people? As Mumbai prepares to host the World Pickleball Championships in India for the first time in November, Gaurav Natekar, Founder and CEO of the World Pickle Ball League (WPBL), says, “The rise of pickleball is due to three things – it is easy to play , and there is no difference in age and gender. The third thing is that it takes very less space, hence the cost is also less. This is why it is proving so popular among everyone. I think this will fundamentally be one of those games that continues its trajectory in the years to come.
Arvind Prabhu, president of All India Pickle Ball Association, says the global pickleball market size is expected to be around US$4.4 billion by 2033, “There are more than 1,000 pickleball courts in India, with their centers in major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru . Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Hyderabad. This is just the beginning. We are working to expand across the country so that anyone can find a court nearby. We want pickleball to be accessible because it’s fun, whether you’re 5 years old or 70 years old.”
Natekar, who is a two-time Asian Games gold medalist and Arjuna Awardee in tennis, says, “Pickleball is growing rapidly in India, thanks to its easy-to-learn nature and exciting gameplay. It’s a sport that’s attracting people from all walks of life – whether they’re into sports, fitness, or just looking for a fun way to stay active.
With a target of 1 million players in the next five years across India, Prabhu said the association is trying to bring the game to schools, colleges and local communities by offering training camps and workshops. “Our dream is to see pickleball in the Olympics. We are laying the foundation by expanding courts, increasing the player base and hosting tournaments,” he explains.
Professional players talk…
Vrushali Thackeray, 26, professional player from Pune
I played badminton professionally for five years and in 2017, my coach introduced me to pickleball. He suggested I try it and see if I enjoyed it. As it turned out, I liked the sport and decided to pursue it professionally. I’ve been playing this game for about seven years. Since I am very fond of the game, I also run a pickleball academy in Pune. The best thing about pickleball is that everyone can easily pick up the game. It is easy to play and good for your overall fitness. Since I am ranked No. 1 in mixed doubles and No. 2 in women’s doubles, I practice for about three hours a day, four days a week.
Vanshik Kapadia, 19, professional player from Mumbai
I used to play tennis professionally, then my dad introduced me to this beautiful game called pickleball. Since then I have never looked back. I have been playing since 2018 and I love the intensity of pickleball and the competitiveness of the game is quite unique. I practice for about 6 to 7 hours every day. I am ranked No. 1 in men’s doubles and No. 2 in mixed doubles in Asia.
Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma, 22, professional pickleball player from Jharkhand
I used to play cricket and on the field where I played, I saw some people playing pickleball. This happened about 6 to 7 years ago. Out of curiosity, I asked about the game and they invited me to join them. He taught me how to play and gave me a chance to practice. At the time, pickleball was not popular in my area. I started playing some tournaments, got hooked and as I got better, people around me started supporting me. Pickleball has become more than a game for me—it’s my life. This is my profession and has also become a source of income. I train for about 5 to 6 hours every day and practice on the court for 2 to 3 hours.
Amateur players shared their enthusiasm…
Avinay Vij, Mumbai
I was looking for a game that I could play with my wife and I wanted to learn new things when I turned 40. Pickleball started gaining popularity in my area and, while I wasn’t sure I would like it, I got involved. Love sports. I also convinced my wife to join me and together we found a new activity. I have been playing since April 2024 and am completely addicted. I play at least twice a week. I used to play twice a day too, but I’m not 21 anymore (laughs). It’s a sport where anyone can play standing up without burning too many calories, but I make sure I’m very physical in it and burn anywhere between 600 to 1000 calories per session on pickleball. I have completely stopped all other forms of cardio. Sport keeps my mind sharp because you have to be quick as lightning and I get to be a kid again, waiting to go out and play.
Bhakti Mehta, Mumbai
I heard about pickleball in 2016 from my then badminton coach, who had learned it in the USA and introduced us to it. I have been a sportsperson all my life, having played badminton at the state level and throwball at the national level. So learning a new sport was an easy choice for me. In 2016, I played pickleball for about 5 to 6 months, but it didn’t last long. Last year, I got back into the game and I love that the barrier to entry is low. People above 30 years of age are getting into sports. I love the fact that it’s encouraging more women to get into sports. I think this is a big victory.
Deepal Mehta, Mumbai
I heard about pickle ball from a friend 5-6 months ago, but I never paid attention to the game until my brother started playing it with his friends. Whenever he came back home after playing, he would tell how fun it was. He explained that the game was a mixture of tennis and table tennis, which confused me. But it got me excited to try it. It’s like a full body workout in one hour and the best part is that you don’t even realize you’re exercising. Pickleball has created a great community as there are many WhatsApp groups based on game location and regular updates about the game.
Rushabh Mody, Mumbai
I was introduced to pickleball through social media where I saw many people posting and talking about the game. It was a new trending game and I wanted to try it. The game seemed like it was easy to learn and I was looking for something where I could get some exercise as well. Now, I have been playing for almost a year. The game really surprised me. It requires more stamina and skill than it seems. This would explain why even though this game was meant for senior citizens, it has become such a popular game among the youth.
Neha Agarwal, Thane
There is a pickleball court in our society, so my husband and I have been playing this game even before it became popular. We have been playing for about 2 years and really enjoy it. Earlier I had no knowledge about this game at all. I also didn’t realize how much fun it would be to play pickleball and what a great workout it could be.
Varun Francis, Bengaluru
I heard about pickleball on the news and how it was replacing golf as the next “business sport,” which caught my attention. When a friend of mine asked me to join his weekend game I signed up for the game. I’ve been playing for more than a month and realized that this game is extremely beginner-friendly. I’m also amazed at how many new people are being introduced to the game, with more than half of our weekend games involving new people.
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