5 Common Myths About Pickleball

Don’t let our names fool you; here at Cliff Drysdale Tennis and PBI Tennis, we are all in on the rising racquets phenomenon that is pickleball. As with any hyped, rising trend, pickleball has plenty of misinformation around it, so today we’re debunking 5 of the most common myths our coaches hear.

Then, you can decide for yourself if pickleball is the right sport for you!

Myth 1: Pickleball Doesn’t Require Any Athleticism

Perhaps this myth comes from the shorter court, or being compared to its racquet cousin tennis, but pickleball commonly gets a bad rap for the level of athleticism required.  In reality, pickleball demands a high degree of footwork and short sprints on the court, especially if you are playing singles. Though the game can certainly be customized to a slower pace, competitive pickleball is meant to be a dynamic, athletic sport for all ages.

Myth 2: Pickleball is a Retirement Sport

Despite being a “sport for all ages,” it is not uncommon to hear pickleball described as “an old person’s sport.” We will admit – pickleball can be ideal for those looking for less distance to cover and a lower impact alternative to tennis. The important distinction is that pickleball is not ONLY for those looking for less impact and less court coverage. At CDT, we are seeing pickleball enjoyed by all ages, from rising juniors to young families to active adults and retired club players. Whether you are looking for a leisurely game at the club or have a talented junior at home who wants to play competitively, the beauty of pickleball is that it can be adapted to different intensity levels.

Myth 3: Pickleball is Just a Smaller Version of Tennis

Pickleball is easy to compare to tennis – it is played on the same court surface, and there are many tennis players who cross over between the sports, at a recreational and even professional level. Even with the similarities, pickleball has some pretty significant differences to tennis, from strategy to technique and equipment used. For example, while tennis players may be comfortable grinding from the baseline, pickleball demands a quick charge to the net (or “the kitchen.”) Unlike tennis, pickleball players must fight the urge to “close” on the net, and instead stay behind the kitchen where they can craft angled dinks and wait for their opportunity to volley the ball once it travels deep enough in the court. Though pickleball is an easy sport to pick up for racquets players, our coaches recommend approaching pickleball (and any racquet sport, for that matter) with an open mind so you can appreciate the distinctions across each game.

Myth 4: Pickleball Hurts Your Tennis Game

On the topic of similarities to tennis, we often hear the hesitation that adding pickleball to your racquets routine will hurt your tennis game. As mentioned above, there are some discrepancies between the two sports that may have you mixing up strategy from time to time. However, more commonly we see tennis players’ games improve after picking up pickleball. Due to the close quarters nature of the sport, pickleball requires a high level of hand-eye coordination, and even faster response time due to the shorter court space. Though the art of dinking and underhand serves may not translate to the tennis court, you can certainly enhance your footwork and hands at the net by adding pickleball to your racquets repertoire.

Myth 5: There is No Pathway to Progress in Pickleball

Pickleball is quick to master, which is arguably one of the prime reasons it has risen so quickly in popularity. Anyone learning the sport of pickleball – whether you are a preexisting racquets player or not – can often pick up the game successfully within an hour or two. This is an incredibly fast ramp-up rate, especially compared to other solo sports like tennis or golf that take years of technical training to become competitive. However, since it is so easy to learn, many players find themselves believing that they’ve plateaued soon after starting the sport. And to be honest, this myth is not entirely false. Pickleball is still developing in popularity and in competition. Tournaments are becoming more widespread, and the professional level of pickleball is still evolving as we speak. That said, you don’t have to plateau within the sport, even if you are not interested in climbing the professional ranks to grow your skill - you just need to find the right place to play. Look for clubs or pickleball facilities that offer a variety of clinics and play options. From beginner to advanced levels, there should be a mix of offerings that can help you move from one level to the next. Be sure to also check out local pickleball tournaments; while their prevalence is still growing, challenging your game in a competitive atmosphere will not only grow your skills, but will likely increase your love for the technical and strategic sport that is pickleball.