Are you sick of lackluster coffee dates and endless text conversations? It might be time to stop swiping and start swinging your pickleball paddle.
Approximately 30 percent of all American adults and half of never-married adults have used a dating site or app, according to a study from Pew Research Center.
Dating apps can be an effective way to find a partner. But if you’re looking for a meet-cute of epic proportions, pickleball might be the answer.
Here’s why your local pickleball court might be the best place to meet the love of your life.
You’ll automatically have something in common
One of the hardest things about using a dating app is starting a conversation. It’s hard to know how much you have in common with someone who is just a photo on a screen. When you meet on the pickleball court, you’ll be able to skip the awkward questions and jump into a conversation about your shared passion.
You can break the ice by complimenting them on a great shot or a well-played point. You can break down the strategy or ask them for recommendations on the best paddles for pickleball. It’s an easy way to get the ball rolling – and overcome some nerves if you’re feeling tongue-tied
If you hit it off, having a common interest could be an indicator of the potential for long-term success. In 2015, 64 percent of adults told the Pew Research Center that they considered shared interests to be an important part of a successful marriage.
Whether you’re looking for marriage or companionship, you’ll be able to bond over your love for the game – and keep the spark alive with a little healthy competition.
You’ll be able to see if you work well together
We’ve all been there: You convince your best friend to give pickleball a try…and are shocked when your sweet, quiet friend turns into an on-court menace. It’s fun to see a different side of a friend or combination in a competitive environment. It can also be a good way to weed out partners you aren’t compatible with long-term.
If you play in round robins or drop in at pickleball courts regularly, you likely play with a lot of different partners. Some partners you click with instantly. Some you don’t. The next time you’re paired with a cutie, consider how well you work together as a team. That great on-court chemistry could also ignite off the court and lead to the perfect partnership with a teammate you can count on.
You’ll be able to assess attraction
You’ve likely heard about – or experienced – this common online dating horror story. You connect with someone on an app that’s just your type. Sparks fly when you exchange messages. When you finally set up your first in-person meeting, you spend the hours leading up to it daydreaming about the future.
Then you get there…and it’s not what you imagined. Sometimes, the person doesn’t look at all like their photos. Other times, you realize they are rude or insensitive, a trait that wasn’t evident in their messages. It’s a bummer, but it’s par for the course when online dating.
When you meet someone in real life during an activity like pickleball, you get to assess how you feel about them physically, as well as observe how they treat others. The guy who might not have caught your eye on a dating app might have a sense of humor that keeps you and all of your friends laughing. The girl who might’ve seemed hesitant in her text messages might have a fiery personality that commands your attention in real life.
Playing pickleball, especially if you play with the same group regularly, allows attraction to grow over a period of time. By giving love time to blossom, you might end up with blooms more beautiful than you could ever imagine.
You’ll get to know each other in a low-pressure environment
Coupled people love to tell single people that love happens when they least expect it. And for many people – especially people who found love before internet dating – that cliche is absolutely true. Pickleball is the perfect low-pressure spot to find love when you might not expect it.
After all, you’re not playing pickleball to find a date. Love isn’t the goal, like it is on an app at a singles mixer or at a bar. You’re there to get some exercise, make some friends, and above all, have fun. This creates a low-pressure environment that allows you to really get to know the new people you are meeting.
You’ll have time to build a strong foundation
Pickleball players are passionate about the sport and love to play regularly. Regular play means you’ll start to see the same people over and over again, giving you plenty of time for a relationship to build slowly.
You’ll have time to build a friendship with the person you have an eye on and observe them in different situations. Do they show up when they say they are going to? Are they patient with new players? Do they enjoy heading out for a drink with the group, or do they keep to themselves?
By the time you get to the first date, you’ll know a lot about the type of person they are.
Ready to hit the courts?
There are 8.9 million pickleball players in the United States, according to the 2023 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) SIngle Sport Report on Pickleball. Your one-in-a-million match might be among them. Don your cutest pickleball outfit, lace up your sneakers, grab your paddle, and hit the court. Your perfect match might be just a dink away.
