"Forget padel, pickleball is the new hype: 'It's super accessible, you're immediately hooked.'"

Optisport Den Donk in Oisterwijk, Brabant, opens its doors for a first introduction to the sport. From the hall echoes the sound of a plastic ball hitting a polymer paddle — a familiar sound, yet subtly different and quieter than padel, and distinct from other racket sports like tennis and badminton. The pickleball court is also significantly smaller than a tennis court.

For someone unfamiliar with racket sports like tennis or padel, it takes a few moments to get into the game. Yet after just five minutes of playing, it becomes clear that even a total beginner can win a rally — especially in this case, where doubles are being played.

A Lightweight Ball

The lightweight ball slows down noticeably during play, making it easy to cover the court and allowing everyone to engage in a rally relatively quickly. The rules don’t differ much from other racket sports, except for the so-called “Kitchen” — a 2-meter zone near the net where volleying is not allowed. This rule prevents players from smashing every shot and adds an element of finesse and technique to the game.

Spending just a week observing pickleball reveals an impressive age range among players — from as young as 9 to as old as 75 — showing just how accessible the sport really is. In the Netherlands, pickleball is still mostly played recreationally, but the competitive side has been growing steadily since its introduction in 2013. The sport made its way across the Atlantic from the United States, where millions now play. One of them was 28-year-old Noah Washington from Den Bosch, who discovered the game while visiting family abroad. Today, just a few years later, he’s already the Dutch national champion.

“Pickleball is a mix of tennis, table tennis, and badminton. And it’s super accessible — you can pick it up quickly.”
– Noah Washington

“I was visiting my dad in the U.S.,” the Dutch-American athlete explains. “As a kid, I played a bit of tennis and sometimes ping pong at campsites. I hadn’t touched a racket in fifteen years, until I noticed some pickleball courts in a neighbor’s yard. I just joined in — and loved it immediately. It’s fun, easy to learn, and super engaging. I was hooked right away.”

Back in the Netherlands, he started looking for opportunities. “I wanted to know: where is this already a thing? I came back to help grow the sport here. I wasn’t the first, but I definitely see myself as an ambassador. I’ve been pushing it for three years now. And now I’m Dutch champion — which is just really cool.”
At present, the Netherlands has around a thousand pickleball players, with more courts and local organizations emerging by the month.

Under the Wing of the KNLTB

The Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB) has also recognized the growth of pickleball, which is now officially supported by the traditional tennis federation. That’s seen as a positive development in places like Mierlo, where the local tennis club (MTV) converted one of its courts into four pickleball courts a year and a half ago. These multi-use courts can also be adjusted for badminton, volleyball, or footvolley thanks to a height-adjustable net. The club gradually introduced members — especially young players — to the sport and is now ready to expand.

To avoid disturbing the neighborhood, the introduction was done quietly. A large wall was built to block noise, which has since been decorated with urban-style murals.
“We’ve been good neighbors for 25 years, and we want to keep it that way,” said board member Pierre Heesackers.

It’s become clear that pickleball produces far less noise than padel, which can sometimes cause complaints. That’s why the Mierlo club now feels confident about promoting the sport more openly — starting with this year’s club championships, where a pickleball tournament was held for the first time during the final weekend.

Hype or Not, It's Spreading

Is pickleball on track to become as much of a hype as padel? That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the sport is spreading like wildfire through Brabant. More and more children, seniors, and corporate teams are finding their way onto the pickleball court.