Pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, has been making headlines for its exponential growth in recent years. According to recent statistics, pickleball in the United States has seen a staggering 223.5% increase since 2020, with a 51.8% surge in players from 2022 to 2023.
In 2019, Pablo Tellez, a former collegiate tennis player, found himself drawn to pickleball after a visit to a tennis shop in Naples, Florida. Tellez, who had always been passionate about tennis and even won a Division II national title during his college years at the University of West Florida, was intrigued by the idea of exploring a new sport.
“Then, it’s very easy to pick up as a sport. When you play tennis or you play soccer, it’s going to take you awhile to be good and to actually enjoy the sport and to understand it. When you play pickleball for your first time, you’re going to be rallying back and forth. You may not be great yet, but you’re going to be having fun in that sense,” Tellez shared in an interview with News Digital.
For Tellez, the transition from tennis to pickleball was sparked by a pickleball tournament ad promising a $100,000 prize. With his competitive spirit and belief in his athletic abilities, Tellez dove headfirst into the world of pickleball. Despite facing initial challenges and setbacks, he persisted and eventually turned pro two years ago.
“I don’t like losing, and I thought I was better than I actually was,” Tellez reflected on his journey. “But it helped me because it pushed me to try to take the sport more serious and to play regularly. I think that was the key for me – I just wanted to get better.”
As pickleball continues to captivate the hearts of millions of Americans, Tellez’s story serves as a testament to the sport’s accessibility, competitiveness, and undeniable appeal. With its exciting gameplay and inclusive nature, pickleball shows no signs of slowing down in its quest to become a beloved pastime for people of all ages and backgrounds.