Mumbai's sporting culture has stayed consistently strong through the years. The famous Mumbai Marathon, which sees participants from across the world, successfully completed two decades since the first run in 2004. South Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium has been home to innumerable cricket matches; including India's victory at the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Now, there's a new sport joining the city's regular line-up of cricket and football. Make way for pickleball, a rising sport that has found favour in the city, as well as with Bollywood celebrities like Aamir Khan, Sharvari and Ali Fazal.
Slowly yet steadily, pickleball is now being practised as a weekend sport that's not just for the rich and famous.
(Also Read: Where In Mumbai You Can Play Pickleball Like Siddhant Chaturvedi)
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is played with a perforated plastic ball and paddles, is easy to learn and suitable for all age groups. The game can be played as singles or doubles and is popular due to its accessibility and low-impact on the body.
After originating in the United States in the 1960s, pickleball has recently gained global recognition, with Mumbai in India emerging as a hotspot for the sport.
Why Mumbai Is Obsessed With Pickleball
There are multiple reasons why the sport is picking up in Maximum City. Maitri, the Co-Founder of fitness centre Squat Up and a fitness enthusiast herself, shares why it appeals to individuals.
"It's a sport that bridges the gap between intense physical activity and casual recreation, making it appealing to people across all age groups and fitness levels," she tells NDTV Lifestyle.
Aditya Khanna, a passionate fitness enthusiast and key figure in Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) agrees with this sentiment.
He says, "The nature of the sport is social and community-driven. As there is increased interest in outdoor activities after Covid-19, pickleball has emerged as a fitness-friendly choice with minimal physical strain."
How Pickleball Compares To Paddleball, Tennis And Badminton
Providing a good cardiovascular workout without being as strenuous as tennis or squash is one of the top reasons why pickleball has appealed to fitness-conscious individuals.
In comparison with tennis, pickleball courts are smaller and the game is played with a plastic ball, making it slower-paced. Its closest competitor is paddle ball, which is often played against a wall and uses a solid rubber ball, whereas pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball, affecting speed and bounce.
Another popular competitor of the sport is badminton. However, pickleball is played with a ball instead of a shuttlecock, leading to a different gameplay experience. The court size is similar, but the pace of play and techniques differ significantly.
Aditya tells us more about how pickleball compares with tennis and paddle ball, "Tennis is the most established racquet sport, with over 1 billion fans and about 90 million players worldwide. Paddle ball is rapidly growing in popularity in regions like Europe, South America, and the Middle East. However, pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport globally."
Maitri weighs in, saying, "We've seen a consistent rise in interest, with a 30% to 40% increase in participation in pickleball-related activities over the past year. This includes newcomers who've never held a paddle, as well as seasoned players who are making it a regular part of their fitness routines. Several new facilities and dedicated courts have also been launched across the city to meet this growing demand."
Why Mumbai Is In Love With Pickleball
It isn't just Mumbaikars but the city itself that has taken to pickleball swiftly, and it's for a key reason - space. In a city where square footage rates run into lakhs and crores, the infrastructure required to play the game also fits perfectly in the space-starved city.
"Mumbai's limited space and high population density make pickleball an ideal sport. The compact court size and quick-paced gameplay means that it requires less space and time compared to traditional sports like tennis, which fits perfectly into Mumbai's fast-paced lifestyle," says Maitri.
A third factor that has led to the rise of pickleball in Mumbai is its weather. Perpetually humid even on winter afternoons, the sport's ability to not leave participants completely winded out works in its favour.
"Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors, making it adaptable to the city's weather conditions. The sport's moderate intensity make it more suitable for playing even in humid conditions, as players don't feel overly drained while still enjoying a good workout," she adds.
Finally, another reason why pickleball is picking up in Mumbai is its ease of learning. The underhand serve, lightweight paddles, and slow-moving ball make it easier to pick up compared to tennis or badminton, attracting people of all ages, including seniors and beginners.
Maitri says, "Pickleball is one of the most beginner-friendly sports, which is a significant factor in its growing popularity. The rules are simple, and the equipment is easy to handle. Unlike some sports that require advanced skills or significant practice time to enjoy, pickleball allows newcomers to pick it up quickly and start playing within minutes."
What Does The Future Of Pickleball In Mumbai Look Like?
In short, bright. While pickleball is on an upward path in Mumbai, it's only gaining more popularity.
"Pickleball in India is in its early stages but growing rapidly, with increasing participation in schools, colleges, and clubs. According to recent estimates, India now has over 1,000 pickleball courts, with 10,000 professionals and 70,000 amateurs actively participating," concludes Aditya.
Pickleball's rise in Mumbai is a testament to the city's evolving sports culture. With increasing awareness and infrastructure support, pickleball is set to become a staple sport in Mumbai's urban landscape.
(Also Read: Like Sharvari's "Monday Motivation" Playing A Sport, 5 Bollywood Celebrities Who Are Pickleball Fans)
