Recently, the “Li Ning Cup” 2024 First National Pickleball Championship “closed” in Hebi City, Henan. In recent years, pickleball has emerged in China. With its simplicity, ease of use, and high fun, it has attracted many sports enthusiasts to participate. How is the development of this emerging movement in the Jinan market? Recently, reporters conducted a survey.
Suitable for all ages
Pickleball becomes a new sport choice
Pickleball is called a “three-ball-in-one” sport. It combines the characteristics of table tennis, badminton and tennis. It is a new type of ball game that is played against each other across the net. The size of the pickleball court is the same as that of the badminton court, but the height of the net is slightly lower than that of the tennis net, and the racket is slightly larger than the table tennis racket.
Recently, in the evening, the reporter came to a pickleball court located in Jinan Plaza 66, where many pickleball enthusiasts were practicing. “We practiced for more than ten minutes and then we could play back and forth.” Xiao Zhang and Xiao Li, who came to experience pickleball for the first time, said that they learned that pickleball is an emerging sport and took advantage of the opportunity to experience it after get off work. . “It feels quite interesting after playing, and it also has some exercise effects.”
Pickleball coach Nana (pseudonym) was a tennis and table tennis enthusiast before. After being exposed to pickleball at the beginning of this year, she fell in love with this simple and interesting sport.
“Pickleball, like tennis and table tennis, is a small ball sport. I used to practice other ball games, but now I can get started playing pickleball faster.” Nana said that one of the characteristics of pickleball is that it is highly social. “It is not a highly confrontational sport, and you can meet new friends during sparring and doubles.”
The pickleball club run by Mr. Fu opened in Jinan Plaza 66 in early July this year. “Pickleball has only become popular in recent years, especially around 2020. Since it requires a smaller venue than a tennis court, the rackets and balls used are made of plastic or carbon fiber, which are relatively light to hold; when playing sparring, the amount of exercise is also It’s relatively modest, so it became popular,” Mr. Fu said.
“It’s easy to get started with pickleball. Beginners can play it back and forth after just ten minutes of basic practice.” Mr. Fu said that pickleball is a sport suitable for all ages, and the entry barrier is relatively low.
“The peak practice times in the store are weekends, holidays and weekday evenings. Generally, people come to exercise on holidays or after get off work.” Mr. Fu told reporters that many customers in the store are loyal fans of pickleball and often refer to this sport. Recommend to friends and colleagues around you.
It is reported that the pickleball courts are billed by the hour. The price of Mr. Fu’s pickleball club is: 80 yuan per hour before 17:00 and 100 yuan per hour after 17:00. Equipment such as rackets and balls are provided, and the coach can provide simple guidance. A tennis club in the National Games Village can also provide a pickleball court. The price is 55 yuan per hour. If the lights are turned on at night, an additional 20 yuan per hour will be charged. It also provides equipment such as rackets and balls, but coaches need to pay additional fees.
bright future
Jinan market still needs to be developed
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, pickleball will become a performance event. This year, the Small Ball Sports Management Center of the State Sports General Administration has successively issued documents such as the “Pickleball Competition Rules 2024 Edition (Trial)” and “Pickleball Coach Training Management Measures (Trial)” to provide institutional guarantees for the development of pickleball. National-level football competitions are also being carried out one after another.
Although pickleball is attracting more and more attention, reporters searched for pickleball stores and venues in Jinan on platforms such as Amap and Meituan and found that only the two mentioned above are currently in business.
“Currently there are not many pickleball stores in Jinan, and there may still be many people who don’t know about this sport. In the past, some organizations in Jinan also provided venues for free for public welfare promotion.” Mr. Fu said that many provinces and cities in China have opened them now. Pickleball associations, especially in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, are developing very well.
According to the “China Pickleball Sports Investigation Report” released by the Small Ball Sports Management Center of the State Sports General Administration, more than 90 countries and regions around the world have established pickleball associations. The development of this project in the country shows a trend from south to north. In January 2018, the Shenzhen Pickleball Association was established. Since then, pickleball associations have been established in many provinces and cities across the country.
“For pickleball stores, the most important cost investment is venue rental. Several pickleball courts require hundreds of square meters of space, which requires relatively high space size and decoration requirements.” Mr. Fu hopes that there will be more Many people have learned about pickleball, allowing this sport to develop better in Jinan.
