The war over tennis courts is intensifying and it’s not looking good for tennis

I would like to address the issue sometimes referred to as the "Great Pickleball War" in the United States. It is worth noting that I recognize and appreciate the fact that pickleball has encouraged millions of individuals to participate in a racquet sport, despite the negative impact it has had on the number of tennis players. I also support the idea of tennis teaching professionals and clubs generating additional revenue by offering opportunities for pickleball play, clinics, and events. This does not pose any concerns to me.

However, I find it challenging to accept the way public parks and recreational departments are influenced by pickleball ambassadors to convert tennis courts into pickleball courts on a large scale, with the USTA appearing to remain passive in the matter. It seems that their stance is to embrace the trend (if you can’t beat them, join them), perhaps based on the understanding that tennis is not experiencing significant growth, and the USTA needs to demonstrate growth in some capacity.

Wake-up call from a Facebook post

Here’s what a Facebook friend posted recently: “I coach in Arizona. Not the biggest tennis state but I've given as much of my time to high schools as I can to expand the sport. Mesa School District, one of the largest in Phoenix, has 6+ Junior Highs that I've tried several times to get programs started at.  I've tried requesting resurfacing, and light fixing, we've paid to replace nets, given them equipment, etc.

Over the past 6 months, they've all been converted to pickleball courts.  Picklers, mostly seniors, lobbied the city to convert them over so they can have public, FREE, pickleball courts.  Doesn't matter what the kids want, they've been converted at the adult community's request.

Let me simplify this...Mesa School District wouldn't fix lights or resurface tennis courts so an outsider could start an after-school league, but they will pony up the money to resurface, fix lights, and change them over to pickleball.  At schools.  They are supposed to be focused on kids.  But they converted them because several SENIOR pickleball associations pressured them.

Might as well convert the football fields to croquet and the basketball courts to tetherball.  I mean, why make kids play sports they have to run and have coordination in if we can show them how to play a game that a 90-year-old can play?”

Me, advocating for tennis?

It is common knowledge that tennis players are the worst advocates for their sport. Many are content with their local club and regular circle of players, showing little concern for developments beyond their immediate surroundings. This mindset is reflected even within USTA sections, where a noticeable lack of activity can be observed in some cases. For instance, one can simply observe the actions of the Southern California USTA section, which recently supported the removal of 16 perfectly good, well-lit tennis courts—an action that truly baffles the mind. It is worth noting that certain sections have begun to explore alternative avenues, such as organizing Pickleball Leagues, potentially signaling a shift towards diversification. Perhaps in an effort to adapt and expand, the USTA is preparing for the decline of its 44-year-old Adult Leagues program, which currently shows little signs of growth and may fade away completely in a few years.

To be continued…