People were lonely and divided, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these concerns. During this time, many people forgot how to talk to each other, care about the health and well-being of their larger communities, and even leave their own homes without high levels of anxiety and fear. Then came a bright yellow wiffle ball and a sport with a peculiar name: Pickleball.

The rapid rise in pickleball participation is due at least in part to the COVID-19 pandemic (Gupta, 2024). When most communities faced closures of schools and universities, bars and restaurants, and community and fitness centers, the pickleball courts remained open (and rapidly expanded). The sport of pickleball allowed us to bring all of our identities, insecurities, and social awkwardness onto the courts and relearn how to truly be with each other. Instead of grabbing the drink that we always talked about but never seemed to get, people........

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