Pickleball, a sport that originated in the United States, is experiencing rapid growth in Vietnam, capturing the interest of tens of thousands of people who are engaging in both practice and competition.

A sport that's both familiar and new

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Pickleball originated in the United States.

Invented in 1965 in Washington, USA, by the late Congressman Joel Pritchard and his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, Pickleball has become a significant trend in the United States, with over 13 million players in 2023.

The sport has even drawn in famous personalities such as billionaire Bill Gates and basketball star LeBron James.

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis but has its own unique charm. It is particularly accessible, easy to learn, and suitable for people of all ages.

Since its introduction to Vietnam just a few years ago, it has quickly attracted approximately 10,000 players, primarily in major cities. In 2024, Pickleball is making waves among the youth, becoming a new favorite.

The game is played on a hard court, measuring 13 meters in length and 6.1 meters in width, with a net standing 0.86 meters high in the middle. The paddles are made from lightweight materials such as composite or graphite, and the ball, which has holes, is typically made of polymer.

Pickleball can be played in two formats: singles (two players) and doubles (four players). Players use paddles to serve and hit the Pickleball over the net, with rules similar to tennis.

Points are scored when the opponent fails to return the ball or commits a fault, but only the serving side can score points.

Matches consist of three sets, with the first to 11 points in singles or 15 points in doubles winning the set. If the score is tied, play continues until one side leads by two points.

Gradual adoption and management

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Pickleball has simple rules of play.

Unlike traditional sports such as tennis, table tennis, and badminton, which require significant skill, physical fitness, financial resources, and time, Pickleball is much simpler.

Beginners can usually grasp the basics after just 2-3 sessions, and the sport’s low-impact nature, small court size, and lightweight equipment reduce the risk of injury.

Starting out in Pickleball requires only a modest investment, ranging from a few hundred thousand to a million VND, which covers shoes, paddles, balls, and court rental.

Its ease of play and affordability have made Pickleball popular across various age groups, contributing to its rapid rise in Vietnam.

Ngo Ich Quan, Head of the High-Performance Sports Department 2 at the General Department of Sports and Physical Training (GDS), told VietNamNet: "The GDS has only recently begun overseeing this sport, so we are first incorporating it into a regulated system under state management for further development. Since it is a new sport, we are managing it as we go."

Assessing the sport's technical aspects, Quan noted that Pickleball is easy to play and promotes physical health. Compared to sports like tennis, badminton, or table tennis, Pickleball requires players to burn a considerable amount of calories. To play well, athletes need to regularly practice both technical skills and physical fitness.

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The paddle and ball used in the sport of Pickleball.

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Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in Vietnam.

Despite its surge in popularity, not all aspects of Pickleball are positive. The sport’s spontaneous growth in Vietnam has led to some concerns, particularly regarding players' attire - especially among younger participants.

Some "hot girls" have taken to the court primarily for photo opportunities, focusing more on showing off their bodies than on playing the sport itself.

This downside is not unique to Pickleball, but with state management now in place, particularly under the GDS, Pickleball will likely see more concrete regulations regarding rules, player conduct, and the culture of competition.

In 2018, the World Pickleball Federation was established, now boasting 60 member federations. The sport is also governed by the International Pickleball Federation (IPF), founded in 2010, the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), and the Pickleball International Committee (PIC), both established in 2023.

However, none of these federations have been recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), meaning that there is currently no global competitive system for Pickleball.

Dai Nam