It’s not just cell phone models and social networks that go out of style. Changing trends also affects sports. The heyday of the moment belongs to Beach Tennis. The sport emerged in Italy in the 70s when holiday tennis players decided to use their rackets to play on volleyball courts.
From there the rules were formatted and the sport became official. In Brazil it has grown dramatically in the last 7 years, even in a controversial way. Several clubs around the country have disputes around Beach Tennis, which insists on taking space from more “traditional” sports such as tennis. These disputes are interesting to follow. They playfully illustrate the dilemma between conservatives and progressives.
I myself suffered with the advance of Beach Tennis. As a countryman from Minas Gerais, I saw up close the rise and fall of another sport: the shuttlecock. Until a few years ago this sport was central to Minas Gerais clubs and went into decline due to the growth of Beach Tennis. In Minas, before starting to advance on the tennis courts, Beach Tennis first advanced on the less traditional, more defenseless shuttlecock.
But now, as required by the impermanence of the world, Beach Tennis itself begins to see competitors turning into a threat on the horizon. The main one is Pickleball. Still little known in Brazil, Pickleball is nothing less than the fastest growing sport in the United States.
You can even say that it has become “the TikTok of sports”. In the last 3 years Pickleball has reached 5 million players in the US and its viral curve continues to rise. The number of practitioners has doubled in the last two years. Championships are starting to be broadcast on TV and there is an influx of sponsors. As what grows in the USA usually arrives here, it is to be expected reflexes in Brazil.
The game is a mixture of ping-pong, tennis and badminton. It was invented in 1965 by three middle-aged parents who lived near Seattle. The court is similar to Beach Tennis, but with a low net (6 centimeters below the tennis court). Play individually or in pairs. In addition to being a lot of fun, it’s easy to start and cheap to install (the courts don’t need sand). Pickleball has spread a lot because of this facility. It can be practiced by people with different physical conditions, even though it is very competitive. In that sense it is democratic.
Interestingly, today it is Pickleball that is taking the place of tennis and other traditional sports in the United States. Several tennis club owners initially tried to resist the trend. Soon after, they saw that the new sport was an opportunity and began converting the courts to Pickleball. And with that make money with the new trend.
It’s in Brazil? We already have our Brazilian Pickleball Association, founded in Governador Valadares. It’s Minas acting as the protagonist, iau. In São Paulo there are also courts, as in the Ibirapuera Arena. What if Pickleball starts to advance and take over Beach Tennis courts and clubs? If that happens, let’s repeat together: – It’s impermanence! It’s impermanence!
It’s over – the heyday of the court shuttlecock
Already – the heyday of Beach Tennis
It’s coming – the heyday of Pickleball?
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
