Nearly 50 million Americans are already won over, pickleball is now conquering Europe and France. An easy-to-access racket sport that highlights team spirit and is most often played in doubles. “In some clubs, it is practiced with music. It’s really fun. There is less sportsmanship and competition than in tennis. We come to have fun, to exchange. As we are close on the ground, it facilitates communication,” assures Jean-Luc Pinchon, president of US Yèvres tennis. His club is organizing a discovery day on November 30 before opening a first section in Eure-et-Loir.
“What changes from tennis is the shot which is drier, whereas we have the impression that it is more cushioned in tennis. We can still put spin on the ball and, at the end of the match, I admit that I am not tired, unlike tennis,” promises this new follower of the discipline. A simple and fun sport, pickleball also offers a lot of modularity with competitive, mixed, intergenerational or family practice.
“At the end of the match, I’m not tired! »
“We have a miniature tennis court, it’s a bit like playing on a ping-pong table. It’s ideal for playing with children, parents, grandparents or friends! In the summer we play a game on the beach which is very similar, even if there are no rebounds or no-volley zone, but the spirit remains,” assures the manager. It is the first to eleven points or to fifteen points, with a difference of two points, who wins the game. Pickleball is played on a court measuring 6.10 m by 13.41 m, with a small, full, square racket and a rather light pierced ball.
The practice does not require too rigorous a physical condition. “That makes for much shorter matches which require less physical condition. That’s what’s motivating, because it’s within everyone’s reach,” explains the retiree. Inside a tennis court, four pickleball courts can be installed. Also practical for clubs, as is its low cost. The game requires only a very limited investment for both clubs and players.
“The equipment is not expensive, around 100 euros for a court, 25 euros for a pair of rackets and two balls. It’s really an accessible sport. For less than a tennis racket, you can have a complete kit,” calculates Jean-Luc Pinchon. After demonstrations at Roland-Garros, pickleball had its first French Open in June in Aix-en-Provence with nearly 700 matches.
The very first pickleball rankings were published on Tuesday, November 5, proof that the sport continues its rise at the heart of tennis clubs. “We are a very small club, and our vocation is leisure. It’s also sport after the Paris 2024 Olympics. It’s not necessarily competition, it’s about having fun. Some go jogging, four of us do it with a racket, it’s more fun! », laughs the president.
In Yèvres, the discovery day on November 30 will be open to practitioners aged 6 to 90. All information is on [email protected]. Initiations will be offered in the sports hall from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
