When four players from Chennai’s major club tennis, Vikram Seshai, Soraj Vishwanathan, G. Rajesh and B Venkateshwar met in November 2024, it was not to discuss tennis. Four of them were in the final discussion about putting Chennai Pictures by Sports Dane, a status of Art Indoor Pickle Facility in Porur which will open for a public round.
In recent years, a growing trend has emerged in the world of racket sports. Tennis players, from professionals to entertaining enthusiasts, are trade rapidly in their tennis racket for pickle paddle. A disclosure figure is that out of 144 players listed on the current professional Picalball Association Tour, 130 have some levels of tennis backgrounds.
Indian tennis legend, Ramesh Krishnan, says, “Pickle is a new craze. There is a lot of enthusiasm around it and it is definitely on its way. There is a good possibility of playing the game. Ram Sukumar, CEO of the indium and experienced tennis player at the Chennai Club Circuit, said that after playing tennis for 37 years, he was initially doubted about pickles. He said, “When the discussion started 18 months ago to add a pickle court to our club, I found the game complicated, but a mixture of a little strange – tennis and table tennis that I felt that was for most old players.”
EA Mall, Pickle Pali Pali in Chennai. Photo Credit: Ravindran R
However, after playing it regularly for the last 6 months, Ram says it has started growing on it. “While I will always be a tennis person with the heart, I have come to appreciate the pickle for it: a game with low entry obstacles, fun to play, and accessible to people without formal training . Hand-eye coordination games such as pickles are fantastic for exercise. ,
Low physical effects
Tennis is a high intensity game that requires quick movements, rapid changes of direction and explosive power. On the other hand, pickle, typically physically demanding physically, is an attractive option for tennis players who are looking to reduce the effects on their body.
Paddle works
Globally, pickles have more than 5 million players in 84 countries. The global pickle market is expected to grow from $ 1.9 billion in 2023, more than 2033 people played a game in India in 2024 from more than 50,000 people and at that time there were more than 500 courts across the country. -40 to 50 new courts are being added every month in India. A 159% increase in the number of Indians playing pickles between 2019 and 2022. China is expected to add more than 10,000 courts in the next 5 years and a total of 100 million pickle players have been estimated by 2030. Currently 144 players have been listed out of 144 players. Professional pickle association tour, about 90%, some of them have tennis backgrounds.
Out of 90% of the tennis -playing Pro Pickle players, 18% were ATP and professional on WTA tours and 47% were competitive in collegium – some NCAA were also going to win the championship.
Madras Club Tennis team captain Vikram Seshai said, “In the last several decades we have stopped playing tennis due to completely injuries to many of our tennis friends or because they found the game too tired. In addition to being easier to learn compared to tennis, pickle is also slow and less land is required to cover. ,
Current Davis Cup player and India No. 3, Ramkumar Ramanathan says that he has played the role of pickle one or two times. He says, “Touch and Feel is a common factor between two games and I think many tennis players are joining the pickle because it’s a fun game.”
Accessibility and strength
Pickle reach and strength is also a major draw for tennis players. Piccalball courts are often easier to find and arrive compared to the tennis court, as the pickle court does not require much space and is easy and cheaper to install. For space-class cities, this is a major advantage. The inclusion and ease of the setup has played a big role in its rapid adoption.
The US Tennis Association says that 10 percent of the courts have already been taken in the US or have been taken back since the pickle boom started. For private clubs, pickle creates commercial meaning as a single court that adjusts four -paying customers for a couple tennis match, can be carved up to at least two and four separate pickle courts. , Which means that clubs can charge more players to rent the same. Real Estate. All this takes from tennis to replace a court in pickles, there are some dubies of paint.
Pickle equipment such as paddles and balls are less expensive than tennis devices. , Photo Credit: Ravindran R
Now, more community centers, parks and retirement communities have pickles courts, making it easier for players to find a game. Additionally, pickles such as paddles and balls are less expensive than tennis devices.
Ram Sukumar says, “Sports access is a major factor. The device is inexpensive, in which paddles range from $ 30 (Rs 2700) to $ 300 (Rs 27,000), and it is easy to choose the game without the need for comprehensive coaching and training. Players of all skill levels can start playing immediately, making it a social, inclusive activity. Compared to tennis or badminton, pickle is less physically demanding, at the same time players get a good workout, which makes it attractive in age groups. ,
Switch
Many professional tennis players have already switched to pickle. Andre Agassi has become a global ambassador for former World No. 1 pickle, which has started launching extensively in India, China and the rest of Asia. Tennis Legends John Mechano, Steffi Graf, Andy Rodik, Michael Chang and Maria Sharapova are also known for playing games.
Ramesh Krishnan says, “All have been paid to these players to promote pickle.”
Mukund Shashikumar, current Indian Davis Cup player and India no. 2 says, “Retired tennis legends have a lot of time and definitely want to be active with some less physical than tennis. The characteristics of both tennis and pickle are quite similar because the body’s speed is mostly from bottom to top, both games are felt and both require hand coordination. ,
Ram Sukumar says that it is no longer retired legends playing sports. He says, “Even active tennis players like Jack Sock, Donald Young, Sam Quare and Esney Buchord are embracing pickle. For them, obstacles for entry are minimal, and the confidence of excellence in a uniform game is a large draw. It is a natural fit, and that’s why we are looking at so many tennis professionals while picking up the paddle. ,
Pickle ball future
Ram Sukumar says, “I see a bright future for pickle. Development will come through a structured league and tournament in countries as well as better organized associations as tennis. Creating tier systems and strong ranking mechanisms-will be important for global and national level success. ,
Since pickle is a relatively young game, in which there are many rules innovation, designed to make the game fast, more strategic, and is attractive to players and fans, Vikram Seshese says. He said, “An innovative format in the World Pickle Ball League, which is a concept by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Aarti Ponnappa Natkar, has been a great success among players and fans. The beginning of a 15 -minute time matches ensures that sports are rapidly suited to book and viewer. ,
Piccalball is a relatively young game, in which a lot of rules are being innovated, designed to make the game faster, more strategic and attractive for players. Photo Credit: Ravindran R
Ramesh Krishnan says, “I hope pickles and tennis can admire each other,”
Chennai Pictures, 24 x7 will be open in Sports Dane, Kimberly Garden, Pallavaram Road, Kolapakkam and will have three indoor pickle courts as well as a store for equipment and goods. Call +91 98402 94518
Published – February 10, 2025 01:01 pm IST
