Opinion: The Narrower Singles Courts Might Actually Save Pickleball

Pickleball's singles game has been under fire from traditionalists for years. Critics argue it's become too much like mini tennis, with players camping at the baseline and trading power shots instead of showcasing the sport's unique tactical depth and entertaining "cat-and-mouse" style of play.

But what if a simple rule change could flip the script entirely? According to Zane Navratil, the new singles lines being tested at the PPA Challenger level might be exactly what the sport needs to save singles from becoming a baseline slugfest.

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What Are These New Singles Lines?

The proposed change moves each sideline 18 inches inward for singles play. Instead of using the full court width, players would work with a narrower playing area, fundamentally changing how the game unfolds.

This isn't just a cosmetic tweak. Narrowing the court makes it significantly harder to pass opponents with wide shots, which forces a strategic shift away from baseline power trading.

Why This Actually Makes Sense

When passing shots become harder to execute, players lose their go-to offensive weapon from the baseline. That leaves them with one real option: drop to the net, engage in the cat-and-mouse game at the kitchen line, and win points through positioning and touch rather than raw power.

For Zane, this is where pickleball's true identity lives. The sport thrives on soft hands, court sense, and tactical positioning, not on who can bash the hardest from 35 feet back.

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Just a Test – Will it Stick?

Watch highlight reels from traditional singles play, and you'll see a lot of baseline exchanges. Now watch points played under the new singles lines rule. The difference is striking.

But probably fleeting.

The PPA is testing these narrower courts at a handful of PPA Challenger events. It's unlikely they'll be adopted up in the pro ranks for a host of reasons:

There's resistance to a different court for singles and doubles
It might not have the desired result of extending the length of points and rallies
It further complicates a sport with confusing enough rules already