Pickleball is no longer just a game for retirees in sunny Floridian cul-de-sacs.
With a player base that’s exploded to over 36 million Americans in recent years, it’s safe to say: pickleball is having a moment.
But with popularity comes controversy - and, frankly, some hot takes that deserve to be aired out like sweaty court shoes.
Whether you’re a seasoned 4.0 player or just bought your first paddle at Costco, buckle up. These spicy opinions might ruffle some feathers... or paddles.
Let’s get this one out of the way first.
Yes, pickleball is easier on the joints. Yes, the court is smaller than a tennis court. But calling it “tennis for old people” is like calling chess “checkers with a superiority complex.” It’s inaccurate and reductive.
Pickleball is a different sport with its own strategies, skills, and rhythms. The dinks, control in and around the non-volley zone, and lightning-quick reflex volleys are unique to pickleball.
Dismiss it at your own peril. Many tennis players try it once and leave their racquets to collect dust forever. That’s not an accident.
Hot Take: Pickleball is harder to master than tennis at higher levels. Sit on that one.
Let’s be honest: singles pickleball is the kale salad of the sport. It’s fine. It exists. It’s even healthy. But it lacks the spark, the banter, and the chaos that makes doubles pickleball shine.
In singles, you cover every inch of the court, which turns every point into a cardio test. Some people love that. Most people… don’t.
Add in the fact that the social aspect is one of the biggest reasons people love pickleball, and singles just feels a little lonely.
Hot Take: Singles pickleball should be renamed “Tennis Jr.” and played only by people who genuinely enjoy pain.
We love the game. The pop of the paddle is the sweet soundtrack of our afternoons. But if you’ve ever lived within earshot of a public pickleball court, you know: it’s loud.
The “pop-pop-pop” echo of plastic balls hitting paddles is unrelenting, especially during early mornings or late evenings.
Homeowners near pickleball courts aren’t just cranky - they’re involuntary participants in an infinite game they didn’t sign up for.
Hot Take: Cities need to strategically place new courts or build soundproof pickleball courts. Yes, it’s possible. Yes, it’s expensive. But so are lawsuits.
Once upon a time, all you needed was a paddle, a ball, and a smile. Fast forward to now, and players are debating between thermoformed paddles, carbon fiber faces, polymer cores, and $350 price tags. Ouch.
And let’s not forget the “pro” paddles that promise “spin like never before.” If your 3.0 backhand still floats like a helium balloon, maybe the problem isn’t your paddle.
Hot Take: If your paddle costs more than your monthly gym membership, and you’re still blaming it for your losses, you might be the problem.
Pickleball has a rating system ranging from 1.0 to 5.0+. But somewhere between 3.0 and 3.5, a strange thing happens: people start to think they’re the next Ben Johns.
You’ve seen them. The player who insists on stacking in recreational play. Or the know-it-all who coaches their partner after every point. There is also the classic: the couple who refuses to play with “lower-rated” players at open play.
Hot Take: Until you’re getting paid to play, maybe dial it back a notch. Respect the rec game for what it is. A good time.
We’ve all seen it (or it’s been done to us): serve, play and smash to the weaker player, avoid the stronger one like they’re contagious, and grind out a win with surgical precision.
Sure, it’s a tournament strategy. But it’s a lame rec play strategy and one that prohibits a person from actually becoming a stronger player.
If your only goal is to win by never hitting to the better player, you’re not improving - you're just stat-padding. Great players want to be tested. You don’t get better by avoiding pressure - you get better by facing it.
Hot Take: If you’re scared to hit to the strong player, maybe you don’t deserve the win.
Missed a shot? It’s the sun. Lost a rally? Your paddle grip was off. Hit the net? You were distracted by a leaf fluttering 20 feet away.
We all have off moments, but some players turn every point into a postmortem. You’d think they were giving a TED Talk between serves.
A few words? Fine. Constant commentary? It kills the flow - and the fun.
Hot Take: If you explain every mistake you make, you’re not learning - you’re auditioning for a drama degree.
Organized leagues bring structure and competition to casual players. Great! But they also introduce scheduling nightmares, passive-aggressive group texts, and debates over whether Bob’s foot was in the kitchen.
What starts as a friendly Wednesday night turns into a political thriller. Substitutes are scrutinized. Scores are contested. Someone always threatens to “take this to the league coordinator.”
Hot Take: If your pickleball league has more drama than a reality TV show, it might be time to log off.
Some players take “aggressive” to a whole new level - blasting overheads like they’re in the U.S. Open, swinging for winners on every dink, and chasing down balls like it's life or death.
And what happens? They slam the ball into their own foot. Or peg themselves with a wild follow-through. Or launch the ball into the next court, nearly taking out someone’s latte.
Pickleball is fast, sure - but it’s not a cage fight. Controlled aggression wins games. Mindless smashing just ends in bruises and apologies.
Hot Take: If you're hurting yourself more than your opponents, it might be time to turn the dial down from “rage” to “rally.”
Let’s end with a bit of truth.
For all the drama, the noise, the egos, and the TikTokers, pickleball is still a radically inclusive, low-barrier, endlessly fun game. You don’t need to be tall, fast, rich, or even in great shape. You just need a paddle, a ball, and someone willing to rally.
Pickleball creates a community where there wasn’t one. It gets people off their couches. It bridges generations. And it makes exercise fun - something most sports can’t claim after high school.
Hot Take: Pickleball isn’t a fad. It’s a cultural shift. Get on board, or get out of the kitchen.
Whether you’re grinding tournaments or just out for a beer-and-dink social, one thing is clear: pickleball is here to stay. And with it comes opinions - loud, bouncy, sometimes controversial opinions.
So next time you step on the court, remember: every serve is an opportunity to prove a hot take wrong. Or right.
Just don’t test a new paddle mid-match. Seriously.
This article was taken from our 'Control the Kitchen' Newsletter, if you're interested in receiving more content like this, please feel free to sign up using the subscribe section located at the bottom left of this page (or underneath the article if you're on mobile), thanks!