Pickleball, as a sport, is getting massive popularity and it’s expected to go even higher. With the sport accessible to all and easy to play, more and more people are getting inclined towards it. However, with all the merits come a few demerits, and pickleball certainly has those. Billie Jean King, a tennis legend and an advocate for women’s rights recently opened up on the impact of the sport and how it can harm the players.

Pickleball has grown rapidly, becoming one of America’s favorite sports. According to an Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) report, nearly 19% of adult Americans, or 48.3 million people, played pickleball at least once in the past year. The sport continues to attract younger players, with the average age now being 35. As of April 2023, there are over 10,320 pickleball courts in the U.S., with California and Florida leading the count.

Despite its popularity, the sport faces concerns over injuries. Tennis legend Billie Jean King recently addressed the issue, sharing her experiences and insights. In a recent podcast with Rennae Stubbs, she said, “Pickleball actually, they’ve actually orthopedic Am I going to have to bleep you or no, you will not. Orthopedic Surgeons come to us all the time. So you cannot believe how many more injuries are in pickleball.” This clearly indicates the risks that older people are susceptible to while playing the sport.

However, this is not the first time she has opened up about it. Almost a year ago, she said that she tried the sport a few times in the past but it didn’t suit her. “I have trouble with the noise,” she said. King highlighted a troubling trend through her connections with medical professionals. “Orthopedic surgeons keep telling me they’re seeing back and knee injuries from pickleball,” she added. She also joked about how often surgeons talk to her about it.

The rapid rise in pickleball’s popularity has brought both excitement and challenges. King’s observations serve as a reminder to prioritize safety while enjoying this fast-growing sport. While talking about the potential injury concerns that the sport brings, she also tried to convince people to try tennis.

Billie Jean King asks people to try tennis as it could be a potential solution

As pickleball grows in popularity, tennis legend Billie Jean King has shared her thoughts on the sport and its impact. While acknowledging the enthusiasm around pickleball, King suggested that tennis might be a better and safer option for many players. Further in the podcast, she talked about the importance of proper training to avoid injuries. “So anyway, people that love your pickleball, just make sure you train enough,” she said.

King encouraged players to consider tennis as an alternative. “Why don’t you just play tennis as well? Because just hit in the little service box. That’s what Lana and I do now. Just hit, we warm up in the little.” She even joked about how her partner Lana could outperform her in this smaller, controlled practice space. “She could kill me just playing the service box,” King added. Thus, instead of playing on full courts, players can just make use of small boxes to practice the sport.

King pointed out that practicing tennis in smaller spaces can benefit players of all levels. “I don’t understand why people don’t do that,” she said. “We should break it up. Even the pros practice half-court.” King’s perspective highlights how when approached thoughtfully, tennis can be both enjoyable and less risky compared to the rising trend of pickleball.

Thus, with pickleball’s growing popularity, Billie Jean King highlighted the potential risks that the sport can offer. However, she also suggested that playing tennis instead could solve the problem for them. What are your thoughts on the same? Do let us know in the comments below!