The Tao of Pickleball

By Gena Gerbier

JJ WALKER COMMUNITY Pickleball courts. Photo credit: Gena Gerbier.

I first heard of pickleball about 15 years ago from my neighbor Mark, who was an avid player. He would make the trek from the West Village to Stuytown regularly to play on what were probably the only courts in town at the time. He described the game and invited me to join but I couldn’t get past the name “pickleball.” Back then I didn’t have a minute to myself, managing two small businesses along with playdates and activities for two children. I could not imagine anything recreational for anyone over 40. Today, the businesses are a part of my experience and my children are adults. I’m no longer in charge of playdates or spending hours in the playground. Today, I’m older, and wiser. Hi, my name is Gena and I am a pickleball addict.

Although pickleball was invented in 1965, most people didn’t “stay out of the kitchen” until the need for outdoor, socially-distanced, activities came to play during the COVID pandemic. Since then, it’s become the fastest growing sport in America and gaining popularity worldwide. What other sport or social activity can one enjoy just by showing up? I can travel easily with my paddle and join open play wherever I land. Meet and make new friends of all ages ─ I’ve played with players between the ages of 8 and 78 (maybe older but I don’t ask). As long as there’s a will to learn and a will to play, pickleball brings people together.

Today, there are over 100 public and private courts all over NYC. Here in the Village there are two courts in J.J. Walker Park, tucked behind the pool and the sacred Keith Haring mural at the Tony Dapolito Center. The area is designated specifically for pickleball. Players are welcome to use the courts anytime by bringing their own equipment or by joining the almost 900 members on WhatsApp who meet through community play and use the nets stored on-site. The courts have been well-loved and well-played for a few years but this use started to show with multiple cracks, patches, and chips, all of which interfered with safe and fair play. When the Parks Department refused to invest into the site due to the pending status of the Tony Dapolito Center, community members came together this spring and raised more than $8,000 for the repair with blessings from the Parks Department. Thanks to the grassroots effort and tactful proposals, the decaying courts have been transformed into courts where players can dink with confidence once again.

Why is there so much dedication to this sport? It can be divisive as the mere mention of “pickleball” can cause eye-rolling and arguments over its depiction as a “real sport.” I’ve heard it said that you can play tennis for decades and remain mediocre, but with pickleball you can start learning to play at 9 a.m. and feel like an expert by noon. Pickleball, like its name, is whimsical and fun. It gives players hope that they can improve and level up. Once a skill is mastered, strategy develops and players get excited to engage more and push each other to be better. It’s a great example for living life well. Pickleball serves up connections across all demographics and allows players, once adversaries, to walk away amicably with a paddle pat and acknowledgment of a “Good Game.”