What’s the state of pickleball in early 2025? If the following 2024 stats are any sign, things are looking up for the game:

• 223.5% - total participation growth over the last three years

• 111% - growth from 2023-2024

• 28% - more outdoor courts were built in 2024

(source: SFIA 2024 pickleball participation report)

But all of that is just in the United States. The really impressive numbers are developing elsewhere…

Pickleball heat map

Current estimates suggest there are over 5 million pickleball players across 84 countries outside the US.

Here’s where pickleball is growing with the most intensity around the globe:

🪷 → India: The number of players jumped by 159% between 2019 and 2022; new estimates forthcoming suggest that growth is much higher now.

🐉 → China: A report from 2024 projected that over the next five years, China will build 10,000 courts and will be home to 100 million players.

🏰 → England: While the Brits only claim about 35K players currently, Pickleball England says they saw a 65% surge in memberships in 2024.

A universal pickleball truth

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: No matter where in the world you play, there’s one thing that unites us all: Lobs. Are. Annoying.

Just when you think you’ve established your position, an opponent throws a high one up next to the sun. Then you and your partner inevitably run into each other trying to retrieve it.

Who else but the queen of lobs herself – Allyce Jones – can we look to for guidance?

Allyce says you should communicate with any partner about this before you play with them, even in casual games.

After all, every player is different:

• You either have the footwork & mobility to retrieve them or you don’t

• You’re either a “leaner” at the kitchen (trying to take balls out of the air), or you’re stiff

No judgement no matter where you fall on either of those spectrums. But each type has an important role to play in who retrieves lobs.

• Obviously, the quicker player with great footwork should grab long balls most of the time

• But if that quick player is aggressive at the net & is good at taking balls out of the air, maybe the other player should grab ‘em

👉️ More lob defense tips from Allyce

If you want to be the fastest player on the court…

Did you read the above section and think, “I wish I was fast enough to be the first type of player”? If so, you may want to get an iPhone.

The Apple Fitness+ app, formerly known as “Activity,” now offers a personal training program for pickleball, among other sports.

Each training program offers 12 workout types, from high-intensity interval training to yoga and meditation. New sessions added every week last anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes.

This is one of the most unique training options for pickleballers we’ve seen, especially since Apple hired pickleball pro Catherine Parenteau to lead the program.

If we can’t type next week’s newsletter, it’s because our arms are sore.

Play…away

Don’t get me wrong: I could definitely spend a week kicking it in the Mediterranean. But schedule some pickleball into the arrangements, and I’m ready to book.

Pickle Away combines pickleball with luxury travel, cultural exploration, and community-building in breathtaking destinations.

🏖 French Riviera: Daily games, Riviera charm, and gourmet cuisine
🍷 Tuscany: Vineyard tours, historic towns, and golden sunsets

Every trip is expertly curated for all skill levels, blending sport and adventure into an amazing itinerary.

🌍 Your next pickleball adventure awaits! Learn more.

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