“Pickleball. “Literally” condiment ball “or” cornichon ball “. Funny name for a discipline born in the heart of summer 1965 on the Bainbridge Island, in the United States, of a famous father, the American politician Joel Pritchard, while he was trying to entertain his children. He imagines a game with the equipment he has on vacation: ping-pong rackets, a thread stretched at the ground and a plastic ball. The legend says that the little dog of the family, who had fun bringing the ball back each time, was called Pickle. “It’s fun, easy and intergenerational, explains Florian Lecerf, head of pickleball at the French Tennis Federation (FFT) who has integrated practice in its statutes since January 2024. The average age of our licensees is 45 years but the growth potential on the youngest is considerable. »»
Practiced by nearly 15 million Americans, with renowned ambassadors such as End Agassi, John McEnroe or Michael Chang, the discipline has experienced a dazzling ascent over the past four years, all over the planet. With a few details, these are the same rules as in tennis … but on a badminton field. As at the Padel, the service with a large ping-pong racket in rectangular shape-called paddle-is from bottom to top, the exchanges are fast and a set is played in 11 points, with a full racket and a hard plastic ball perforated. In the pickleball, we score points only on your own service and it is forbidden to hit when you are in the area that runs along the net, called “Kitchen”.
Nearly 12,000 practitioners
In double or simple, like his cousin the padel, it is an exciting alternative for lovers of small yellow ball. “With particular sensations, very close to those of tennis, explains Théo Platel, 23, one of the best French players, ranked 15-1 and recent winner of the French Open in Aix-en-Provence in three different categories. The racket is lighter and the touch of ball thinner than the padel. Socially, it is also more open than in other racket sports. You progress very quickly and the exchanges are intense. »»
All that is missing is a ministerial recognition to this practice to change dimension. “Indispensable to be able to rub the best on the international circuit and obtain a status of high level athlete to be able to live from this passion”add Théo. Tomorrow, the French Tennis Federation and that of Badminton will file a separate file from the Ministry of Sports to obtain the Pickleball Delegation in January 2026. The institution led by Gilles Moretton leaves with a set in advance, even if nothing is played. “Since 2021, we have multiplied actions. We have created more than 400 sections dedicated to our clubs, specifies Florian Lecerf. With Padel, Beach Tennis and Tennis Armchair, it is in total coherence with our vision of an attractive and varied multi -ray experience for our practitioners. »»
The number of practitioners is estimated at around 12,000. With a license at 26 euros, a game kit at less than 100 euros and two new age categories for 14-18 year olds at the start of the school year, pickleball continues its seduction operation. The summer tube could soon become a classic.
