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Tennis Pro: Pickleball Level Rising, But Gap Remains
23 Apr
Summary
- Pickleball's level has improved dramatically in a short time.
- Tennis has greater overall depth due to structured development.
- High-level athletes joining pickleball are rapidly raising its standard.
Deniz Khazan, a former top-ranked Israeli tennis player, has transitioned to professional pickleball. She observes that pickleball's competitive level has significantly increased recently, evidenced by advancements in athleticism, strategy, and point construction. Khazan believes this rapid growth has led to serious comparisons with tennis, a concept not widely considered just a few years ago.
Despite pickleball's impressive development, Khazan highlights that tennis still holds a considerable edge, particularly in overall depth. She attributes this to tennis's long-standing, structured player development systems, which ensure a high level of experience across all rounds of competition. In contrast, pickleball's structure is still evolving.
The increasing number of high-caliber athletes entering the pickleball circuit is a key factor in its swift improvement. Khazan acknowledges this trend is rapidly raising the sport's standard. Nevertheless, she concludes that tennis continues to be the definitive benchmark for both overall playing level and competitive depth in racquet sports.
