News & Stories
Mar 2, 2025
Move over tennis - there's a new racquet sport taking Asia by storm, and it's not what you'd expect! Pickleball, the dynamic fusion of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is exploding in popularity among young players across the continent, shattering its reputation as just another game for retirees.
Take Jeremy Soh and Jeovanne Poernomo, a dynamic Singaporean couple whose pickleball journey perfectly captures the sport's infectious appeal. What started as a thoughtful quest to find the perfect activity for their parents blossomed into an unexpected passion that's transformed their lives.
“We saw the sport is growing in the rest of Asia and we see the merit of a sport like pickleball that’s just as challenging in hand-eye coordination but not as physically taxing or difficult to learn like tennis. We see that as the driver of its growth in Asia.”
The couple's passion runs so deep that they've launched Performance Pickleball, a vibrant facility in Singapore's Punggol district that's becoming a hub for players of all ages. And here's what's really exciting - businesses are catching on too!
"People are shifting from golf courses for doing business to pickleball courts because it’s a lot more social. The games are shorter and time efficient that way so I can see a lot of corporates getting into pickleball," Soh reveals.
“Unlike other sports, where you might need years of training, with pickleball, you just need to be on the court for maybe an hour or two to get the basics of it, and you can start playing. But mastering the sport is something else altogether”
(Photo Source: https://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/time-out-tries-pickleball)
But what exactly makes pickleball so addictive? Picture this: a lively game played with a plastic ball over a net that's just three feet high. Whether you're playing doubles (the fan favorite) or singles, matches are fast-paced and engaging, typically wrapping up in about an hour. The best part? You can jump in and start playing after just a couple of hours of practice - though mastering those killer shots? That's where the fun really begins!
The numbers tell an incredible story: Singapore alone boasts over 2,000 players and counting. In Vietnam, the sport's momentum is unstoppable, with player numbers soaring in just the last six months. India's getting in on the action too, with plans for a professional league backed by a whopping $10 million investment. Even China's social media scene is buzzing, with pickleball content racking up 2.5 million views on XiaoHongShu in April alone!
(Photo Source: https://gameonsingapore.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/faces-of-the-pickleball-sg-community-in-singapore/)
The sport's cool factor got an extra boost when none other than Taylor Swift was spotted with a paddle, rocking a lavender pirouette skirt that sold out in minutes. But don't let the celebrity endorsements fool you - this sport has substance. Just ask Richie Ong, co-founder of That Pickleball Shop, who learned this lesson firsthand: "Initially, I thought it was going to be quite easy to be good at it but after getting beaten by 60-year-old uncles, it really changed my mind."
What makes pickleball truly special? As Singapore Pickleball's spokesman Darren Ho puts it perfectly: "The sport is really easy to pick up. It’s a multigenerational sport, you can have a grandma, a parent and the kids playing all within one court and everyone can enjoy it. You can’t get that with any other racquet sport." This isn't just another fitness trend - it's a movement that's bringing people together, one serve at a time.
(Photo Source: https://x.com/dillondavis3/status/1781745150353379421?mx=2)
The transformation has been remarkable. Ho notes that just two years ago, most players were in their late forties or early fifties. Now? The courts are buzzing with twenty-somethings making the switch from other sports, bringing fresh energy and excitement to the game. Tournaments have doubled in size, and the enthusiasm shows no signs of slowing down.
Ready to join the pickleball revolution? With its perfect blend of accessibility, social connection, and pure fun, this sport isn't just changing the game - it's changing how we think about staying active and building community. Whether you're a former tennis pro or have never picked up a racquet in your life, there's a place for you on the pickleball court. Game on!
