National Pickleball Day: The sport is quickly growing in popularity but why do some many people hate it?
Backed by celebrities and booming nationwide, pickleball faces growing backlash from protesters who say the sport is driving them mad.
In recent years, pickleball has exploded in popularity, cementing its place as one of the fastest growing sports in the United States—and even beyond. It’s now so entrenched that August 8 has been officially dubbed National Pickleball Day.
The paddle sport is booming in retirement communities, suburban parks, and even Hollywood. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and the Kardashians have been spotted playing. There’s even a pro league backed by LeBron James and Tom Brady.
But not everyone’s a fan.
The number one reason people “hate” pickleball
A growing number of people say they can’t stand the sport—especially its distinctive sound.
Many frustrated non-converts in the U.S. share the same complaint, as highlighted in a report by The New York Times.
“I thought maybe I could live with it, maybe it would fade into the background,” said Arlington, Virginia resident Mary McKee, describing the back-and-forth popping of the perforated, hollow plastic ball from one side of the net to the other at a community center across the street from her home.
For Clint Ellis of York, Maine, the sentiment is even stronger. “It’s a torture technique.”
John Mancini from Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Scottsdale, Arizona resident Debbie Neagle believe they have it worse. Pickleball courts have been installed directly inside their gated communities.
“It’s like having a pistol range in your backyard,” said 82-year-old Mancini.
Neagle is even more direct: “Living here is hell.”
And in one case, the complaint turned heartbreaking.
“One of our neighbors who lived directly across from the courts and was dying from cancer said the pickleball noise was worse than his cancer,” said West Linn, Oregon resident Dan Lavery. “Sadly, he recently passed.”
Why does pickleball noise drive people crazy?
Bob Unetich, a passionate pickleball player and founder of Pickleball Sound Mitigation, says several factors make the sound especially annoying. His consulting firm works to reduce noise through smarter design.
Their research found that a strong pickleball hit can reach 70 decibels from 100 feet away—well above the typical background noise level of 55 dBA, which is already considered “somewhat annoying.”
But it’s not just about volume.
It’s also about the high pitch of the sound of the ball hitting the paddle, and the rhythm of the shots. “It creates vibrations in a range that can be extremely annoying to humans,” Unetich explained.
“A fat man’s sport”
For some, the noise isn’t the main issue. On the “SmartLess” podcast, “Arrested Development” star Will Arnett joked about pickleball with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and David Leitch.
“Pickleball is a fat man’s sport,” Arnett quipped. “It’s replaced racquetball. You stand in the middle of the thing, the ball’s going to come to you eventually.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.