Tennis Australia plans to capitalise on the success of America’s fastest growing sport – pickleball – by introducing it at tennis clubs around the country.
The controversial initiative, which will also combat the threat posed by the modified version of tennis, has been discussed at TA headquarters since the start of the year and may ruffle the feathers of purists.
It comes three weeks after Nick Kyrgios joined Naomi Osaka and Kansas City Chiefs NFL star Patrick Mahomes in buying a share in the newly formed Miami Pickleball Club for the upcoming Major League Pickleball competition.
“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US by far … those numbers don’t lie,” Kyrgios’ agent and Miami Pickleball part-owner Stuart Duguid said.
“Whether it can be a successful mass-spectator sport is yet to be seen, but it’s an attractive investment because it’s so early and has tremendous upside at the current valuation.
“It’s also going to be a lot of fun with so many cool and creative people involved. I think Nick is a disruptor by nature, so it makes a lot of sense for him.”
Naomi Osaka, LeBron James, Nick Kyrgios and Tom Brady have all invested in pickleball in the US.Credit:Getty
TA has hatched a plan to grow participation numbers in the country by offering pickleball at clubs. The initiative is primarily aimed at keeping ageing players in the sport, given the court size is a lot smaller than a tennis court.
TA is also aware of the impact that athletes like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Tom Brady – who have all invested in the Major League Pickleball competition – will have on the younger generation that wants to try the sport.
“There are a number of clubs throughout Australia who, based on some members or word of mouth, want to play pickleball,” TA chief tennis officer Tom Larner said.
“Some coaches see it as an opportunity as well, particularly for pickleball, which traditionally has an older demographic of 50 and we’re getting older than that as well. They can fill the court at times when they’re traditionally quieter. It gives additional revenue opportunities and more people down at tennis clubs.
List of sporting stars to invest in pickleball
- LeBron James: Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
- Kevin Durant: Brooklyn Nets (NBA)
- Draymond Green: Golden State Warriors (NBA)
- Devin Booker: Phoenix Suns (NBA)
- Tom Brady: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
- Drew Brees: Retired NFL quarterback
- Nick Kyrgios: Tennis player
- Naomi Osaka: Tennis player
- James Blake: Retired tennis player
- Mardy Fish: Retired tennis player
- Andy Roddick: Retired tennis player
- Kim Clijsters: Retired tennis player
- Lindsay Davenport: Retired tennis player
- John Isner: Tennis player
- Chris Evert: Retired tennis player
- Mesut Ozil: Former German international (soccer)
- Justin Verlander: New York Mets (MLB)
- Dirk Nowitzki: Retired NBA player
“We’re involved with paddle and pop tennis and we think there’s an absolute opportunity with pickleball to look at new facilities that have a combination of tennis courts and multipurpose courts.
“There might be people who say, ‘Well, it’s not tennis’. They’re not, they’re other racquet sports. They’re not for all clubs, but for other clubs there are great opportunities for growing their clubs and using tennis courts in the quieter periods to cater for other forms of the sport.”
Former world No.11, American Sam Querrey, will represent the Washington DC Pickleball team in the MLP next season.
The Herald and The Age have also been told that a former top 10 male player, who is still active on tour, is considering not travelling to compete in next month’s Australian Open to focus on playing pickleball.
Players from Major League Pickleball demonstrate the game in the New York Stock Exchange boardroom to promote the start of last season.Credit:Courtney Crow/New York Stock Exchange via AP
“I can definitely see more ATP and WTA players trying their hand at pickleball,” Duguid said.
“I already know of two very significant players who will make the switch in the next 12 months. It’s great for someone who is either physically struggling with the rigours of the tour but still has world-class touch and feel, or for those with young families who want to take a step back from the crazy tennis tour scheduling demands.
“I doubt pickleball and paddle tennis are going to eclipse tennis in our lifetime. But they can definitely be standalone sports and industries. They already are. I see the competition to tennis as perhaps other formats of tennis itself. I don’t believe five sets can last forever, for example.”
Anheuser-Busch, one of the largest beer manufacturers in the world and the owners of Budweiser, recently became the first Fortune 500 company to purchase an MLP team. In Europe, paddleball – not pickleball – is the most popular modified version of tennis.
“What we’ve seen in the US over the last five years is a 30 per cent growth in tennis, particularly through COVID, like we’ve seen in Australia,” Larner said.
“But there’s also been a substantial increase in pickleball, so both sports have really grown significantly through that period. I think it’s a great example of how they can both grow and co-exist.”
Watch the United Cup live and free on the 9Network – Channel 9 and 9Gem. Every match will be available live on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
