Pickleball has gained immense popularity, but tennis legend John McEnroe is not impressed. During “The MacZone” broadcast of the French Open, McEnroe and his brother Patrick had a conversation with former tennis star Genie Bouchard, who has shifted to pickleball.
McEnroe, known for his candid remarks, expressed his disdain for the sport. “She leaves the sport to play that damn stupid pickleball,” he commented. Bouchard pointed out that McEnroe had also played pickleball. He admitted to participating in two weekends of pickleball and mentioned the financial incentive. “They paid me more for that than I got paid for tennis,” McEnroe said, highlighting that he competed against tennis players rather than pickleball enthusiasts.
McEnroe’s main criticism of pickleball lies not in compensation, which he acknowledges as generous, but in the sport’s auditory experience. “The sound of the plastic ball; you know how when you hit a tennis ball it sounds awesome? But when you hit a pickleball, personally, I think [the sound] is a big negative,” McEnroe remarked, questioning Bouchard on her view of the noise.
The discussion of pickleball’s sound evokes comparisons to iconic sports sounds, like the crack of a baseball bat or a roaring engine. McEnroe believes the sound is a detractor. Furthermore, he finds the name “pickleball” itself somewhat silly.
Reflecting on personal experiences, some recall early encounters with pickleball in school, long before realizing it was a legitimate sport. What once seemed an invention of gym teachers is indeed a reality, growing in popularity and engaging new players.
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