Why is Pickleball America’s Fastest Growing Sport? These Georgia Seniors Explain It – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATHENS, Georgia – What do you get when you combine badminton, tennis and table tennis?

You get Pickleball, America’s fastest growing sport! While many people are just learning about it, seniors have been playing the game for years.

Channel 2’s Lori Wilson traveled to Athens to speak to some veteran players about the sport that’s sweeping the courts everywhere…

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Jerry Breniger is an 80-year-old National Senior Games athlete who took up pickleball at age 68.

“One game and you’re hooked, I promise you,” Brinegar said. “I played with 16-year-olds. I’ve played with 30-year-olds and I’ve played with 90-year-olds.”

Brinegar said that was part of the appeal.

People of all ages and skill levels can learn the rules quickly while having fun. That’s why pickleball tournaments and courts are popping up everywhere…

Bonnie Murphy is 73 and relatively new to the game.

“They’re full all day and every seat is full all night,” Murphy said.

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“They improve hand-eye coordination … so maybe I’ll get a little better at some point,” Murphy said.

While it may look like tennis, Pickleball has smaller fields, different rules, a wiffle-like ball, and a ping-pong-style racket.

Roger Moore is 81 and will compete in the National Senior Olympics this month, as will Jerry. They say pickleball is a game where seniors can get better at, despite getting older.

“Tennis is a much more powerful game and pickleball is a much more strategic game,” Moore said.

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So how can these experienced players avoid getting injured?

“We give them safety tips on how not to fall and how not to dive for the ball. It’s just a game!

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