Pickleball sees growing popularity across Europe

Pickleball, a sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is seeing growing popularity across Europe. Originally invented in the United States in 1965, the discipline is gaining traction in various communities.

In Italy, the sport is expanding in Trieste through the ASD Pickleball Friuli Venezia Giulia. National champion and instructor Lorenzo Lanza notes that the city is keeping pace with major hubs like Rome and Milan. The organization operates out of Opicina, utilizing five dedicated pickleball courts to promote the sport as a standalone activity rather than just a precursor to tennis.

Similarly, in Germany, the sport is becoming increasingly recognized. In Kempen, the Kempener Turnverein (KTV) has established a group focused on the social and recreational aspects of the game. Led by Diana Husberg, the group emphasizes a ‘just-for-fun’ approach, attracting participants across various age groups, including players as old as 86.