Pickleball is on the rise to becoming an Austin staple.
By Hannah Nunez
What started as a rainy-day pastime has been transformed into the country’s fastest-growing sport. Created in 1965 by three Washington neighbors, pickleball is based upon combined elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton to create the ideal paddle sport. The community began to broaden during the pandemic as a way for individuals to stay active and has exploded in popularity.In 2023, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America for the third consecutive year, estimating an increase in popularity of 158.6% over the last three years.
“We knew all the organic and explosive growth of the sport was inevitable because it is just so fun and accessible,”says co-founder of the professional league, Mellie Price.
The sports’ accessibility to all ages and skill levels allows the game to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you’re looking to be a backyard champion or a major league player, the pickleball scene in Austin prioritizes involvement alongside building skills. The Texas Ranchers, aka “America’s Pickleball Team,” is the perfect example of a group striving for greatness while upholding the game’s original intention of community outreach. “The community that surrounds pickleball in Austin is like no other,” says Chief of Staff Alex Maxson. “We want our focus on community building and doing social good to be our differentiator—and strength—for our positioning in the league.”
The major league team is made up of renowned competitive players looking to bring the dynamic spirit of Austin to every game. “I was initially attracted to the sport by its vibrant community and the perfect blend of strategy and athleticism,”says Tina Pisnik. With an extensive background in tennis and a determined attitude, Pisnik is one of many players on the team setting a standard in the major league world. “Playing for The Ranchers and representing this vibrant city has been an incredible experience. It’s an honor to play for a city that values inclusivity and community as much as I do.” Representing Austin alongside Pisnik for this year’s draft are Christian Alshon, Etta Wright and Pablo Tellez.
In addition to their community leadership and consecutive wins, The Texas Ranchers are paving the way for a reimagined future in sports ownership. The Ranchers team is supported by an impressive list of over 50 owners including professional athletes, artists, pop culture figures, entrepreneurs and investors. Austinite icon Kendra Scott is one of many female owners looking to fully embrace pickleballs’ surge of popularity. “Pickleball, along with supporting our Texas Ranchers, has brought an exciting new twist to Austin’s sports scene,” says Scott. “This sport is an amazing opportunity for our community because it gets people active, brings everyone together and boosts local businesses with all the new clubs and organizations popping up around it.”
The future of pickleball in Austin only looks bright and exciting. As the season progresses, The Ranchers are sure to engage their fans through community events and watch parties. The team is also raising the bar for community involvement through its upcoming pickleball retreats hosted at Sage Hill Inn in September. The retreat event is described to be a “one-of-a-kind luxury experience in the Texas Hill Country featuring 10-plus hours of pickleball training with professional coaches, delicious food, gifted performance apparel, plus fun and relaxation,” says Maxson. Reserve your spot early at ranchers.com/sage-hill. With the rapid growth and interest in the sport, the event is sure to sell out and looks to be the Austin pickleball event of the season.
