John McEnroe’s Take on Pickleball

Pickleball is gaining popularity across the globe, but tennis legend John McEnroe remains skeptical. During an alternate broadcast of the French Open, known as “The MacZone,” McEnroe and his brother Patrick welcomed Genie Bouchard, a former tennis star who has embraced pickleball.

Never one to mince words, McEnroe couldn’t resist sharing his candid thoughts on the sport. “She leaves the sport to play that damn stupid pickleball,” he remarked, indicating his disdain. However, Bouchard quickly reminded him that he, too, has participated in pickleball matches.

McEnroe countered her comment by saying, “I played two weekends, and they paid me more money for that than I got paid for tennis. I was playing tennis players, so that’s a little different than playing some pickleball people.” His statement suggests that, for him, participating in pickleball was more about financial opportunity than actual interest in the sport.

Though McEnroe’s concerns about compensation seem allayed, he criticized the sound of the plastic pickleball. He noted, “You know how when you hit a tennis ball, it sounds awesome? But when you hit a pickleball, personally, I think the sound is a big negative.” This sound, according to McEnroe, deters from the enjoyment of the game.

The unique sound of pickleball—a wiffle ball-like plinking and plonking—lacks the satisfying resonance found in other sports. McEnroe also shared another critique: the game’s name. He finds it too comical, recalling his early encounters with the sport during high school gym class. Back then, he thought it was invented by his gym teacher as a way to avoid class.

Despite initial skepticism, pickleball has proven to be more than a passing fad. It continues to draw attention, with even notable figures like Andre Agassi praising the sport after his professional debut.