Tennis or Pickle? Why not both?!

I'm a tennis guy. Not gonna lie. Grew up playing it, worked hard for so many years to get a somewhat decent backhand that can show flashes of brilliance with my Tuesday night clinic. And, as an avid racquet sport player - Tennis, Platform Tennis, Padel, Badminton, Pong, Squash and now Pickle - it always amazes me how many Tennis enthusiasts lambast Pickle. And vice versa.

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Why not both?! And Why not all of them?

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Pickleball's growth - as well noted in so many blogs/podcasts - can be attributed to it's easier entry point. Ask any tennis player - and you'll know pretty quickly that they've worked a lifetime trying to get a decent topspin serve out wide. Not an easy feat. Pickleball has its perks. You can start one day, play a few times and by then be somewhat able to hit a ball over the net and keep it in play. Try going out on the tennis court and hitting a backhand slice crosscourt your first time out. Yeah, you get it.

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But here is where this convo should end. They are different sports! And, that's all good. In fact, I have embraced all of the paddle/racquet sports and given it the time and respect they deserve. Each of them have their genius and flow and Pickle is no different.

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So when Pickleball players compare their sport to Tennis or you hear Tennis players roast Pickleball for being a 'rec' sport, I'm always dumbfounded. Each have their metric and parameters. And each need time to learn and adjust to. Now, the real conversation should be how to incorporate the skills you have in one to bring to the other. Tennis strokes are fantastic to have in pickleball. In fact, they should be taught to all entry level players from the outset. A little continental grip on the forehand drive, quick move to kitchen line for a slight western grip for a swinging volley smash. Ah, don't know what I'm talking about....well, there you go. Some tennis coming to mind. Even the backhand flick volley - ask me why Pong players are so good at that.

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What has to happen now is simple - learn to play pickleball at a higher level. What tennis players already have is some footwork and balance technique. Much more positional strategy that you can see in Singles play. It's important to show some good stroke, volley, overhead techniques to Pickleball players especially at the Youth level. This is why so many Tennis players can make a quicker transition to Pickleball. You ever notice why good tennis players hit better overheads than Pickleball players who never played tennis? Hey, ask the Ortho doctors why so many folks come in with shoulder problems! All you need to do is teach folks trophy position. We've all learned it.

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So, no more comparing. No more this or that mentality. It's all about learning and mastering a 'Newer' racquet sport and enjoying them all if you have the time. We just have to teach them all better. I'm still gonna play my pickle tournaments and I'm still gonna hit some crappy one handed tennis backhands on Tuesday nights.

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Vamos! 

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