Pickleball’s popularity, particularly in the United States, is undeniable. According to a 2024 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, there are at least 13.6 million players, showcasing a remarkable 50% increase from 2022.This surge, fueled in part by the pandemic’s impact, saw participation rates soar by a staggering 223.5% since 2020.The rise of multiple, well-funded professional leagues further solidifies pickleball’s position as a major force in the sports world. This has particularly favored women athletes. 

On average, female players in professional pickleball earn $260,000 annually, making it the highest-paying sport for female athletes. Leading the pack is Anna Leigh Waters, who is ranked No. 1 in the world across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. At just 17, she’s the face of pickleball, and her agent predicts she’ll be the highest-paid player, regardless of gender, this year, according to Forbes. Combining salaries and endorsements, she is projected to earn a figure which is over $3 million. By comparison, Ben Johns, the No. 1-ranked man on the PPA Tour, told that he will make over $2.5 million this year from salary and endorsements.

Professional pickleball players have earned a combined $30 million this year, with prize money distributed to both men and women. “There is no other sport where men and women can compete on the court together and have an equal opportunity to impact the game. And arguably, what we’ve seen from early statistics and analysis of the sort of value of a player, the female outweighs what the male can do, in terms of just winning,” United Pickleball Association’s Chief Strategy Officer Samin Odhwan has said.

The rise in popularity of pickleball in the United States has fueled the rapid expansion of professional leagues such as the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). Both leagues operate under the UPA, which was established just last year. With around 60 women participating in professional tournaments, many female athletes now earn salaries significantly higher than those in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) or the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

The meteoric rise of pickleball has sparked concern within the tennis community. Some worry that pickleball’s explosive growth could threaten tennis’s traditional dominance. “On a club level, tennis is endangered,” Novak Djokovic said recently. “If we don’t do something about it, globally or collectively, paddle, pickleball in the States, they’re gonna convert all the tennis clubs into paddle and pickleball. Because it’s more economical.”

As the sport continues to grow, it offers unprecedented opportunities for women athletes to achieve financial success and recognition.

Pickleball’s Olympic aspirations gain commendable momentum

The growing popularity of pickleball has sparked calls for its inclusion in the Olympics. Tennis legend Andre Agassi believes that this dream could become a reality sooner than expected. Speaking at the launch of the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) DUPR India League, Agassi shared his optimism about the sport’s future. “Pickleball is going to add a great deal to sport. Olympics, I absolutely can see it. I think it’s going to maybe even happen sooner than you’re hoping,” Agassi said.

Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam winner, has become deeply involved in pickleball and is one of its strongest advocates. He highlighted the affordability of the game as a key reason for its rapid growth. “It does not make you broke like tennis since it’s affordable. You can experience success, which is good for social development,” he explained. The ease of access makes pickleball appealing to players of all ages and backgrounds. Agassi encouraged everyone to give it a try, adding, “All you need to do is try a few times, and it will be part of your life.”

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna also praised the sport’s growing popularity during the event. Bopanna did not rule out the possibility of transitioning to pickleball after retiring from tennis. With legends like Agassi and Bopanna supporting the game, the push to include pickleball in the Olympics continues to gain momentum, marking another exciting chapter in the sport’s journey.