Coimbatore: Mostly unfamiliar to the region until a year ago, pickleball is the new sport trending the district now. What’s special about this racket sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis is its simplicity, affordability and addictive nature. To say the least, pickleball is attracting players from all walks of life in the district.It was in October 2024 that Coimbatore got its first commercial pickleball court at Ponniahrajapuram. Since then, the sport has seen a phenomenal rise in popularity. In just 10 months, the number of pickleball courts in the district has increased to more than 100. Regular tournaments have further boosted its popularity among the people. Players say the courts could be used for the singles and doubles pickleball. “We usually come as a group of working professionals. Up to eight people could share a court for an hour, making it both cost-effective and enjoyable,” says R Ronak, a regular player.“Pickleball is less intense compared to other sports, making it friendly for the beginners. It helps us stay fit, feel relaxed and build new connections,” he adds.S Ishwarya, of Lakshmi Mills, who has been playing the sport with her eight-year-old son Vivin for the past two months, says, “It’s both interesting and challenging. It requires a lot of concentration. We have been playing every single day without a break.”She believes that this sport has the potential to be included in major sporting events like the Olympics in the future. “I also see it as a way to instil concentration and discipline in my child at a young age.”Abhilasha Damodharan, co-founder, ‘Sports Hive’ pickleball court at Nava India, says Coimbatore is a sport-loving city with a strong base of tennis, badminton and table tennis players. “Hence, it is natural for people here to take up pickleball. Court charges range from Rs750 to Rs850 per hour. Most court owners provide paddles and balls for the players.” “We are building a community. Each court has its own WhatsApp group. If only two people are available to play, they post in the group to check if others could join. Those who are free, respond and come to play. It’s often used as a networking space. All courts could be booked through apps like Turf Town. We offer discounts on the app, and corporates frequently book courts for their employees,” she adds. According to Rithika Ramakrishna, a national-level pickleball player from Coimbatore, anyone could pick up pickleball and improve with consistent effort.Ranking systems like Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) and Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) help measure and track player performance based on the match results and statistics. These ratings allow players to gauge their skill level, improve their game and compete with similarly ranked opponents in tournaments, says Rithika.“The Coimbatore Pickleball Open is scheduled to be held on August 23 and 24 this year, with players from across India expected to participate. The tournament is a PWR 200 ranking event and the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu,” she adds.
