[Average Guy]

Since moving to The Villages I have heard a number of people say that they used to play tennis, but now that they have learned to play pickleball, they no longer play tennis and play pickleball instead.

I am curious to hear why people quit tennis and now only play pickleball. Also, what would it take to get them to start playing tennis again.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[OBXNana]

We have never played pickleball and my information is what we've been told. Pickleball is served under hand and is a little better if you have shoulder issues. Pickleball is also a smaller court (but supposedly still get a good workout) and as we age, is a tad bit easier.

We're excited to get pickleball paddles the next times we visit The Villages, possibly take a class, and come back to PA to practice in the garage where nobody will see us until we figure the pickleball thing out!

[CFrance]

I used to play tennis on a traveling team. Drills, match, league. Did that for fifteen years. Finally I got arthritis in my neck & shoulder from the overhead serve, and suffered three knee injuries. Then my sciatic nerve went out of whack, and since I was working full time, I didn't have time to mess with it, so I just quit playing tennis.

Pickleball gave me back a court game. The serve is underhand, so it's not hard on my shoulder, and the court is half the size, so less running, which is easier on my knees. The sciatica came back after three years of this, but at least I have the time to doctor it now.

You can use your court skills in pickleball, although real pickleball at the higher level involves a much different strategy than tennis. But it can still be played like tennis, if you want (smashball), and the court sense and net skills you learned in tennis serve you well in pickleball.

I would play both if it weren't for the arthritis. Both are great court games.

[Bay Kid]

I have played tennis for 46 years and still do. Both are fun!

[Topspinmo]

I for one like pickleball and IMO great racket sport especially here in the villages due to amount of people that play it all levels. Heck I even like watching. Looking forward to learning the game and eventually playing it at high level hopefully.

I am tennis nut and been playing on and off for 40 some years. IMO nothing can compare to the feeling of topspin backhand down the line or crosscourt passing shot. Anybody up for game of singles give me shout, Tennis or pickleball.

added after afternoon hit: I feel pickleball is something my wife and I can play togather. Also had my first singles hit/drill in the heat of the day. OM, I feel Blistered and burnt to say the least. Probably stick to early morning later in the day schedule for that! Got aches and pains I haven't felt for awhile playing indoor and midwest spring weather thats for sure.

[jojo]

I still prefer tennis. I like the feel of the open court. It was not an easy adjustment for me trying pickleball - could never get a ball underhanded. Obviously many folks here love pickleball and have a great time playing it. right now I have a broken index finger - sigh.... - and am not playing at all for at least 6 weeks. Hoping I don't have to have surgery.

[Tennisnut]

As a long time tennis player who has tried some pickle ball, there is no comparison. Since it is a smaller court, it does lend itself to those who have diminished physical abilities which become all too apparent as we grow older (including myself!). However as noted by a previous poster, nothing beats the feeling of of a tennis ball being hit by a set of polyester strings and ripping the ball down the line. Compared to pickle ball, tennis is a Z06 Corvette versus a Volkswagen bug for pickle ball!

[SilverFox]

Played competitive tennis for 55 years since a young boy and won many tournaments to include two national team championships and now I am addicted to pickleball in The Villages. It was an easy transition and I found it was daily organized play, lots of laughs, good exercise, and get to play 8 to 10 games in a two hour span against different teams, and don't care when I lose a game. Tennis is a great sport, but kidding somewhat, I remember those matches when I would lose in the third set tie breaker after busting my tail for over three hours on a hot day. I found pickleball to be physically demanding because of the smaller court where you are just about involved in every point whether positioning or hitting. Like tennis, I found pickleball to be very social and meet lots of great people.

[GolfGirl122]

Here is a nice clip of Pickleball - includes reference to The Villages also. Please excuse if already posted earlier.

Pickleball: The Fastest-Growing Sport in America - NBC News

[Living a Fantasy]

Been playing tennis for over 50 years and still play 4 times per week. To play tennis requires scheduling four people in my case; since I always play doubles. The groups I play with schedule weeks and three months in advance.

At my age and stage in life, I experience unpredictable aches and pains; but still get out there and play tennis because I made a commitment.

On the other hand, pickleball can be played (like going to the playground) by merely showing up between 7:00am and 10:00AM any day of the week. I can show up based on how I felt getting out of bed. It frees me from any commitments and I find it equally as enjoyable as tennis.