China's pickleball takeover sparked by an American "pickleball missionary"

Welcome back, picklers

Read time: ~5 min

The force of the Yellow River in China is so powerful, I can only wonder if this is symbolic of its potential pickleball takeover.🤔

Let’s get into it, shall we?

How to read The Pickle Talk:

1. First, don’t click any links just yet. Read it all the way through, and then send it to a friend you think might benefit too.

2. Next, come back and dive into the links that caught your eye.

3. Last, go play some pickleball and stir up conversations with your newfound knowledge.

Enjoy :)

TODAY’S BANGERS:

• Pickle Talk: China’s pickleball takeover is looming over the sport

• Bite-Size Pickle: Pickleball to debut at tennis's Miami Open Master 1000, ALW gets her own official bobblehead, DUPR algorithm changes

• Golden Pickle: An Analysis→The pickleball business model that works: Abandoned Mall takeovers

Let’s get into some... PICKLE TALK 🎙️

China’s pickleball takeover is looming over the sport

I want to highlight a topic that many aren’t talking about yet but could hit the sport like a ton of bricks in just a few short years.

I’m talking about the merger of China and pickleball, a US sport that is already growing exponentially in a country where paddle sports like badminton and table tennis thrive and are dominated by its people.

And with a population of almost 1.4 billion, I might even be confident enough to say that its dominance is almost guaranteed.

(…compared to the United States’ measly 341 million.)

In a recent interview with Seymour Rifkind, founder of the World Pickleball Federation and a popular figure in the pickleball community who’s been traveling to the east to spread the word, Front Office Sports caught up with him to soak up the details.

I tried my best to consolidate the information into 6 key points:.

Deets:

1. [Pickleball's Global Expansion]: China aims to have 10,000 courts and 100 million players within five years, a testament to the sport's burgeoning popularity worldwide.

2. [Comparison with the U.S.]: In 2023, an estimated 36 million Americans played pickleball, but China's potential player base could surpass the rest of the world combined.

3. [Pickleball's Growth in China]: The sport is gaining traction in China, evident from instances like South China Agricultural University, where 25,000 out of 50,000 students play pickleball.

4. [Pickleball's Commercial Potential]: China's interest in pickleball could have significant commercial implications, considering that the majority of pickleball paddle brands source materials from China.

5. [Olympic Prospects]: Pickleball's potential inclusion in the Olympics, possibly in the 2032 Brisbane Games, could elevate its status globally, especially considering China's dominance in similar sports like badminton and table tennis.

6. [Impact on International Governance]: China's increasing influence in pickleball could reshape the sport's international governance, potentially affecting its relationship with organizations like the International Olympic Committee.

I also want to highlight that since badminton was added to the Olympic roster, China has won 20 of the 39 gold medals.

And since the addition of table tennis in 1988, China’s won 32 out of 37 gold medals.

Although the sport of pickleball is still the most popular and thriving in the United States, with “pickleball missionaries” like Rifkind making it their mission to expand the sport globally, China could shift the narrative 180* in their favor.

There is proof, and the vehicle for dominance is already in place. China’s population, manufacturing abilities, and attitude toward paddle sports are more than enough.

***

TL;DR: China is embracing pickleball big time, aiming for massive player numbers and courts. Seymour Rifkind leads the charge globally. This could change pickleball's commercial and Olympic future.

*BITE-SIZE* PICKLES

1/ ➜ Happenings: For the first time in history, the beloved sport of tennis and our beloved Major League Pickleball will come together at the Miami Open Master 1000 event on March 27–29.

In addition, wheelchair tennis, while featured at previous Grand Slams, will make its debut at the Miami Open Master 1000 event.

And UP we go!

2/ ➜ Happenings: Anna Leigh Waters, the #1 ranking female who just turned 17 y/o, has MADE IT….to bobblehead-level fame

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum recently unveiled a limited-edition bobblehead that’s now available for purchase for $30.

Next up Anna… Madam Tussaud.

3/ ➜ Happenings: The DUPR algorithm has received an upgrade and went into effect on January 30th. According to DUPR’s recent announcement,,,

Here are the new factors that matter:

1. Points Matter. Was this a tight match or a blowout? DUPR now evaluates the closeness of the match, so a score of 11-0 will have a bigger impact on your rating than a close match of 11-9 against that same opponent

2. Recency Matters. A match you played today will impact your rating more than a match you played six months ago.

3. Total Match Count Matters. If you've played in a lot of matches, your rating will fluctuate less compared to a player with a lower match count.

4. Every Match Matters (even against unrated players). Every match counts towards your rating, even if you are playing against someone who is unrated or new to DUPR.

If you play in tournaments and haven’t created an account yet, you can do so here.

SIDE NOTE: According to DUPR-Scott on Reddit, who’s involved directly with the organization, the update will not decrease ratings at all.

GOLDEN PICKLES

🎫 The love for Ben Johns and ALW is dying. This is who’s next on top.

🎫 An Analysis: The pickleball business model that works: Abandoned Mall takeovers

🎫 $9.5 million dollar home with pickleball courts SOLD in Arizona.

🎫 Ellen Degeneres celebrates her 66th birthday with viral pickleball burn away cake

🎫 Jet’s Quarter Back Zach Wilson killing it in pro pickleball

ICYM…

Snap Shots 📸 of the Week

No pickle left unturned 🥳

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Until next time, picklers.

Jonathan W.