Naomi Osaka was spotted playing Pickleball.
Naomi Osaka, the former world No.1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, was recently spotted trying her hand at Pickleball. The 27-year-old tennis star was present at the Play Academy, where she tried to showcase her case on the pickleball court.
However, Osaka was a wee bit embarrassed when her first attempt misfired, and her shot landed directly in the net. However, that did not deter her, and she nailed an overhead shot.
Despite having fun on the court, Osaka did not shy away from admitting that pickleball had its own challenges.
"It's definitely a different game," she said. "You have to be more nimble and have good hand-eye coordination."
Osaka is not the first tennis player to try pickleball. Several other professional tennis players have also shown a keen interest in the sport, and some have even made the switch from tennis to pickleball entirely. It is particularly popular in the USA.
More than 125 universities and colleges in the USA have pickleball programs. The sport's increasing popularity at the grassroots level could be a game-changer in the next few years.
Pickleball's popularity is on the rise in India too. Leading the way is the PWR DUPR India Masters, a PWR700 event on the PWR World Tour, in the capital city of New Delhi, starting Thursday. Pickleball, the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world, is poised to establish a strong foothold in India with the launch of this prestigious event.
The tournament will take place from 24 to 27 October 2024 at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium, marking the first fully owned and operated event by PWR following the successful launch of the PWR World Tour in July 2024 in Dubai, UAE. The Dubai launch, attended by PWR's anchor investor The Times Group, international pickleball officials, and some of the world's top players, set the stage for PWR's expansion across the globe.
All eyes now turn to New Delhi, where an impressive roster of 750 players-both professionals and amateurs- will compete, further solidifying pickleball's position as a major sport in India. This event is a key milestone for pickleball, boosting its presence on both the Indian and global sports landscapes.
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