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26 Aug, 2025
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Pickleball 2.0: AI Can Turn Passive Fans Into Active Players of the Future
@Source: timesnownews.com
Pickleball is no longer a backyard pastime; its exponential global growth over the past couple of years has made it stand out as one of the world's fastest-growing sports. With players of all age groups picking up the paddle, courts mushrooming across cities, and professional leagues expanding, we are looking at a game fast evolving at the rate of knots. But the next frontier of pickleball’s growth may not be on the court itself—it will be driven by artificial intelligence (AI). From coaching to fan engagement, AI is poised to revolutionise every aspect of the sport in the next five years. Smarter Coaching and Injury PreventionWith pickleball evolving at a breathtaking pace, coaching might just be one of the sectors AI will play a massive role in reshaping the future of the sport. Like any other sport, pickleball in many parts of the world has already made a move on developing video analysis software and sensor-based tools to break down serves, shot selection, and footwork. The next most logical advancement would come in boosting these systems in place over the next five years. The sport is staring at a future where a player might have access to instant insights while playing a match: where you’re losing ground at the kitchen line, how often you’re opting for defensive dinks instead of attacking shots, and whether your court coverage matches your opponent’s tendencies - all of that and possibly more. It will just not be limited to tactics alone. AI might just be the next big thing in preventing career-threatening injuries by using pose-estimation technology. AI can track joint angles, posture, and footwork in real time through simple smartphone or courtside cameras. There is enough data out there to suggest that pickleball injuries are rising, and the workload of players has skyrocketed due to an increased level of participation. The most recent data suggests that emergency room visits linked to the sport reportedly surged 88% since 2022, and calls for immediate innovation. A system that alerts players about potentially harmful movements, like awkward lunges or poor spinal alignment, could reduce downtime and prolong careers. Personalised Gear and VR TrainingWe might soon be living in a world where AI will not only tell players how to play but also what to play with. The ever-evolving landscape of paddles produces a great opportunity for personalised equipment recommendations by analysing biomechanics, grip strength, and playing style of an individual. Therefore, to maximise performance and minimise the risk of injury, AI can serve up ideal paddle specifications—weight, balance, and grip size. In addition to that, virtual reality training, enhanced by AI, is also on the horizon. It is just a matter of time before 'AI-responsive opponents' can adapt to a player's level and help in solo practice sessions in VR environments. Whether it’s simulating fast-paced doubles rallies or rehearsing defensive strategies against lob-heavy players, AI-powered VR could provide a dynamic, low-cost way to train outside the court. Smarter Courts and Fair PlayAI may soon end disputes over line calls - part of almost every pickleball match. Pickleball is next in line to experiment with AI-powered line-calling and replay systems - already being trialed across racquet sports, thus creating a space to eliminate human error and bring a new level of fairness to the game. High-speed cameras combined with AI algorithms can instantly determine in-or-out calls, expanding “SmartCourt” infrastructure and taking it to the next level by offering multi-angle video, instant replays, and advanced analytics. Pickleball can take a leaf out of tennis, giving players access to pro-level match insights at local clubs and leagues. Better Event Management and Fan EngagementAI-driven scheduling systems will help tournament organisers to understand player availability better, weather conditions, and court occupancy to minimise delays. For any sport, fans are the biggest stakeholders, and AI will only go on to enrich their experience and make it more interactive by broadcasting real-time stats, clubbed with predictive win probabilities, AI-generated highlights, and virtual overlays, thus transforming it from a niche sport into a fully immersive viewing spectacle. And it might also pave the way for using interactive chatbots, allowing fans to ask questions during live streams—"What’s Armaan Bhatia’s unforced error rate in this match?" and boom - the answer is right there, meticulously powered by AI data crunching. Talent Scouting and Grassroots DevelopmentTalent identification, perhaps, will be the most enhanced sector with AI intervention. There is not much data available at the grassroots level, and largely remains unorganised. AI platforms could aggregate performance data across thousands of local clubs and leagues, spotting promising players long before they reach the national stage. This will help the sport standardise several key elements like reaction speed, shot accuracy, and stamina, giving scouts and federations a scalable way to identify the next big stars. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already taken that approach and created an AI master plan ahead of the Paris Olympics last year. Pickleball, with its booming popularity, is perfectly positioned to benefit from the same innovations. A Smarter, Safer, More Global PickleballThe faster rallies or bigger tournaments are not what the future holds for pickleball. In fact, if anything, it calls for smarter play, safer athletes, and deeper fan engagement - things that will go on to define the sport in the next decade. From New York boardrooms to Delhi courts, distance is no longer a barrier for any pickleball athlete willing to take part in this global revolution. However, making it more inclusive, more competitive, and more connected than ever before is a challenge AI can not only solve but also accelerate the momentum in the next five years. The future is here, right in front of us, and it won't just hit harder, but also think smarter.
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