[앵커]
Recently, there is a unique sport whose base is expanding to the extent that there is talk of it threatening tennis in the United States.
It’s pickleball.
Reporter Kim Ki-beom introduces.
[리포트]
Pickleball is a sport that American tennis legends Andre Agassi and John McEnroe are obsessed with.
It’s similar to tennis, but much easier to play, and has gained 13 million players in the U.S. alone.
It has arrived in Korea and is slowly gaining popularity to the point that clubs for hobbyists are opening up in every neighborhood.
Most hobbyists who came from tennis or table tennis point out that it is easy to learn as an advantage.
[문의주/피클볼 동호인 : “테니스 때보다는 제 연령층에서 또 중년층에서 안전하고 무리없이 할 수 있어 큰 장점인 것 같습니다.”]
It uses a large plastic ball with holes in it, so it bounces less than a tennis ball and is easier to hit.
Because it is the size of a badminton court, there is no difficulty in movement, but the amount of exercise is considerable as the players always move nimbly in a low posture.
Pickleball’s unique rules are also attractive.
[윤윤선/피클볼 지도자 : “‘논발리존’이라고 해서 밟아도 안되고 발리를 한 후 몸이 안으로 들어가도 안 돼요.”]
Anyone can easily learn, regardless of gender or age, and it is considered a sport suitable for people with disabilities.
[청각장애인/수화동반 : “치는 느낌 탁탁 때리는 느낌이 몸으로 전달돼서 칠 때의 맛도 좋아요. 여기 지나다니는 어르신들도 이게 뭐냐 물어보셔요. 그럼 당연히 하실 수 있다고 하죠… 강추합니다.”]
In a badminton court, pickleball is played like tennis with a ping pong stick-like racket. It is in the spotlight as a new leisure sport.
[“피클볼 사랑해요!!!”]
This is KBS News Kim Ki-beom.
Camera reporter: Han Sang-yoon/Video editor: Kwon Hyeok-rak
■ Report
▷ Phone: 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ Email: [email protected]
▷ Kakao Talk: Search for ‘KBS Report’, add channel
▷ Please subscribe to Kakao ‘My View’ and KBS News on YouTube!
Reporter Kim Ki-beom ([email protected])
