By Luanne and Gary Erdos

It started in early 2024 when my husband asked me if I would be interested in playing pickleball at a new indoor facility that had opened in my hometown.

I was game; however, I am a tennis player (my husband is not). I didn’t want to abandon my tennis game and appear to be a traitor. And yes, there was a concern of whether it would hinder/help my tennis game. But, having together time with my husband and engaging with a paddle, ball, and net was right up my alley.

So, the journey began. We took the introductory course and quickly entered a new world of terminology (dink, kitchen, tagging) and scoring. (Sidenote: Could tennis and pickleball scoring be any more difficult for novice players?)

And now, we have fallen for pickleball!

We play every week and discuss our new-found love with others who have not yet been smitten by this sport (which professes to be the fastest growing American sport).

The court movement and hittting the pickleball have been a natural experience for me, but the new challenges and tennis similarities are invigorating to me. Some things I have discovered along my journey include the following:

1. Communication with your doubles partner is helpful! (both on and off the court!)

2. Practice your serve as you are in control of this shot!

3. Lobbing is a thing—but more challenging in pickleball.

4. The pickleball does not bounce like a tennis ball. 

5. Footwork is key as well as supportive shoes.

6. Pickleball has actually helped my tennis game with footwork (smaller steps) in addition to reaction time with volleying and seeing the court.

7. It has been a blast to meet new people and learn about their journeys with the sport.

For my husband, this sport opened a whole new world of research (as he does with passion!) from the rules and etiquette of the sport, to paddles, shoes, tournaments, and using a ball machine.

We discovered that regardless of your experience or athletic ability, there’s a place for you on the pickleball court (sort of like church!).

From novices just trying to get out and move around a bit to fierce competitors smashing that yellow ball back at you, you’re sure to find someone fun to play with (again, hopefully like your church!).

Luanne and Gary reside in Fort Wayne, Ind. Luanne is a teacher at Concordia Lutheran High School and Gary is the senior pastor at Trinity English Lutheran Church.