Cover Kim Raymond, Mark Choo, Datin Wira Sabrena Dani and Christian Lee
Kim Raymond, Mark Choo, Datin Wira Sabrena Dani and Christian Lee
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We head to Pickle Social Club with some familiar faces to discover pickleball, touted to be the fastest-growing sport in the country
It’s early Wednesday morning. The atmosphere is charged with the rhythmic exchange of volleys and the precise beat of paddles striking neon-yellow plastic balls. Two players, dressed in a combination of traditional tennis attire and casual athletic wear, stand on either side of a net wielding solid rackets made from composite or wood materials designed for both power and control.
Distinctive “pop” and “pock” sounds are followed by the higher-pitched “clink” of the ball hitting the court surface, resonating as players exhibit impressive agility and precision. Their swift movements involve shuffling sideways, lunging forward, and executing sharp pivots. This is the scene that unfolds as the Tatler team enters the courts at Pickle Social Club (PSC)—a go-to destination for pickleball facilities for residents around the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) neighbourhood.
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The origins of pickleball
Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, off the coast of Seattle on the west coast of the USA, by three men—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum—looking to create a family-friendly game. As the story goes, they had a badminton court but no equipment, so they improvised by using ping-pong paddles and a Wiffle ball. And voilà, a captivating new game was created.
As for its name, there are a couple of cute theories. The first is that it was named after the Pritchards’ family dog, Pickles, who used to chase after the ball. Another theory is that Joan, Pritchard’s wife and a former competitive rower, named it after “pickle boat”, a term used to describe a motley crew of rowers who were often considered the “leftovers” from the best oarsmen available. Regardless of the truth, the quirky name only adds to the game’s charm.
The sport gradually built up a presence in America, with tournaments being organised to propel its growth and advancement on a national level. By 1990, pickleball was being played in all 50 states, and today, it is the fastest- growing sport in America, with more than 36 million players.
Above Outfits by Maje, Sandro and Lululemon
Outfits by Maje, Sandro and Lululemon
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Pickleball has been making its presence felt around the world over the last decade and Southeast Asia is no exception. In the last five years, it has captured the hearts of Malaysians and is transforming them into enthusiastic paddle-wielders. In Malaysia, the sport’s popularity is evident in the increasing number of clubs and groups forming nationwide, the rising presence of improvised courts, and Malaysian participation in pickleball competitions in the region. At the Asia Pickleball Open 2024 held in February in Phuket, the Malaysian team of 46 players representing various states won a total of nine medals. After the first pickleball association was formed in Miri, Sarawak, in 2019, interest in the sport expanded to Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Penang and Pahang through local competitions and school initiatives. Today, there are three pickleball associations, with Negeri Sembilan and Penang as new additions in 2023, while over the past five years, an estimated 14 pickleball courts have cropped up throughout the nation.
Existing sports facilities need only a simple adjustment to be transformed into pickleball courts; this is how PSC was launched in the verdant surrounds of KLGCC Resort. Behind PSC is Mark Choo, a passionate fitness enthusiast and gym owner, and one of the co-founders of the club. He explains how the venture came to fruition: “There were initially two tennis courts that needed refurbishment at the location,” Choo says—they were initially planning to restore the tennis courts back to working order, “but after discovering and learning more about pickleball, we figured that this exciting sport would be good to promote locally. And we thought, if this is one of the fastest growing sports in America, surely Malaysians would want to play and discover it too.” The abandoned courts were transformed into a bustling arena of eight pickleball courts: four covered spaces and four open ones.
After PSC opened in January 2024, Choo and his co-founders started inviting friends to play, who then introduced others to the sport; within a very short time, Choo was told to raise their court-booking prices, simply because it was getting difficult to book a free slot to play. However, they maintained their pricing—between RM35 and RM70 per hour, depending on the type of court (indoor or outdoor) and timing (peak hours or not) to keep it accessible to as many people as possible. On the downside, of course, this does mean that the courts at PSC are consistently booked up.
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On Mark Choo: Cartier Santos watch, Juste un Clou ring; Dior jacket, shorts, sneakers; Lululemon tank top. On Datin Wira Sabrena Dani: Cartier Trinity necklace and earrings, Love bracelet, Juste un Clou bracelets and ring; Sandro top, skirt
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So what is pickleball? At first glance, it seems like a fusion of tennis, table tennis and badminton both in terms of the play and the equipment. The courts are roughly the same size as a doubles badminton court, the nets are lower than tennis nets; the lightweight, perforated plastic balls resemble Wiffle balls; and the paddles are like larger, weightier table tennis rackets.
Like other racket sports, pickleball can be played either as a singles match (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). The match begins with an underhand serve that must be made diagonally across the court and land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court. Similar to badminton, points are scored only by the serving side, which occurs when the opponent commits a fault, such as hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net. The first side to reach 11 points and lead by at least two points wins the game—although we learn that tournaments often play out to 15 or 21 points. A unique aspect to the game is that pickleball encourages more strategic play through the existence of the non-volley zone referred to as the “kitchen.” This is a roughly 2-metre area on both sides of the net where volleys (hitting the ball in the air before it bounces) are disallowed, hence preventing powerful smash shots near the net.
One reason pickleball has sky-rocketed in popularity is its accessibility. The differences in court size and equipment make it a slower-paced game that prioritises precision and strategy over power and speed. The small court size means players run around less than is necessary in tennis. It’s also easy to pick up by a wider range of individuals.
“The game is easy to learn, making it ideal for beginners, yet offers enough complexity to challenge seasoned players,” says Christian Lee, a tennis coach and pickleball instructor at PSC. Another plus point is that the smaller court size and slower ball speed mean that players need less stamina than required for sports like tennis, making it more appealing to older adults and those new to sports.
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“Anyone can play pickleball. We have children as young as five or six right up to people in their seventies joining us,” continues Lee, who first came across the sport some years ago through a friend who went on to be a pro pickleball player. “Those who have experience with racket sports can easily adapt to pickleball, but even if you don’t, it’s really easy to pick up—it honestly just takes about two sessions or so to get the hang of it.”
PSC is making it particularly easy for those in KL to give the sport a go. Choo says, “We offer court and equipment rental, as well as merchandise where players can purchase their own paddles and balls. We also provide coaching, available in both group and private sessions, and cater to various partnerships and corporate events as well.”
The social aspect of pickleball is also a significant draw, and its inclusive nature fosters a sense of community and camaraderie. Tatler community members Datin Wira Sabrena Dani and Kim Raymond are recent pickleball converts. “I came to check out the sport about a week after PSC opened ... I’ve always been curious and enjoy trying new things, plus I wanted to see how it compares to padel and tennis,” says Sabrena. Raymond, meanwhile, says, “I only just got into pickleball; I used to play padel.
I would say it’s not as difficult as padel because the bat is lighter and I feel it’s more easy-going.” Pickleball’s popularity is welcome news in the bigger battle against the increasingly sedentary lifestyles of modern life, and can help people meet physical activity quotas. Furthermore, research suggests that racket sports improve balance and coordination, making pickleball an especially useful activity for older adults. Additionally, Choo says, “Playing pickleball also aids with mental health. People might not realise it, but being able to communicate with others while playing and just getting your mind off the regular everyday stresses helps a lot.”
Sabrena says, “What I love most about pickleball is how intense the game can get. I’m slightly competitive, but in the end, it always ends with laughter and banter.” Adds Raymond, “And of course, after we’re done with our game, we don’t just rush back home, as we usually catch up over some food or drinks at Noa [café at The Courts at KLGCC Resort], and update our friends about what’s been going on in our lives.” PSC and pickleball’s ability to bring people together, regardless of age or fitness level, is perhaps its greatest strength.
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Credits
Photography: Chuan Looi
Styling: Surya Ammari/MCD Creative
Hair: Cody Chua
Make-Up: Cat Yong
Jewellery: Cartier Trinity, Love, Juste un Clou, Panthère de Cartier, Santos collections
Location: The Courts at KLGCC Resort
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If tall, dark and handsome is what you're looking for, Aaron Pereira ticks two out of three. This fine chocolate man (that is, a connoisseur of fine chocolate), enjoys the theatre, futsal, real-life conversations and of course, the English language. He believes that language should first be used to express, but the business of a sub-editor is to impress.
Check out his Instagram @aaronlpereira.
