Pickleball at the French Open: France Expecting Rapid Growth

There are two types of people in this world: some who see tennis and pickleball as enemies, and others who see an opportunity for both sports to grow. It sounds like the French Tennis Federation and Amélie Mauresmo, the two-time major champion and former No. 1-ranked tennis player, might be in the latter group.

Pickleball at the French Open Takes Center Stage

Just last week, the red clay court was used for the Grand Slam event at the French Open. Then, it was converted into three temporary pickleball courts as part of a pickleball demonstration provided by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and Mauresmo.

While some may worry about tennis losing athletes and audiences to pickleball or padel, the FFT has a different perspective. They are embracing these other racket-adjacent sports with open arms. The FFT has officially brought pickleball under its umbrella and is seeking government approval to hold a sanctioned national championship.

All Racket Sports Can Grow Together

"I'm not sure it's the same crowd that are doing these different sports," Mauresmo said. "And if you put it in a tennis club, that means people might come to play pickleball, but then they see tennis and it can maybe attract new people."

Before the French Open women's semifinals between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, Mauresmo and FFT president Gilles Moretton participated in a casual pickleball session on Court 5. This 263-capacity arena was one of the smallest at Roland Garros, with tall pines and buildings visible behind one end and the main stadium, Court Philippe Chatrier, behind the other.

"I didn't really know what to expect. I haven't watched pickleball on TV," Mauresmo admitted. "You can have fun quite quickly in this sport. The rules are just a little bit different, so you have to adjust, but it doesn't take very long to do that."

Fans were encouraged to give pickleball a try as part of a promotional effort, similar to what the FFT did two years ago with padel. Padel joined the federation a decade ago and has been growing in popularity ever since. As CBS Sports has reported on the growth of pickleball CBS Sports, accessibility is the central reason the sport resonates so widely.

"We want people to come and enjoy and do exercise for health. Tennis is a difficult sport, and sometimes you need to enjoy and learn something quickly, and padel or pickleball is much easier for most people," Moretton said.

"I think pickleball is going to be big in France."

Moretton and Mauresmo on Pickleball's Future

Unlike Mauresmo, Moretton had played pickleball before. "You have to get used to the rules. I didn't know all the rules at the beginning, but then it's much easier than tennis," he said.

"So I think pickleball is going to be big in France."

Currently, there are about 300 pickleball courts in France, compared to 34,000 tennis courts. However, Moretton expects this number to grow quickly, similar to how tennis and basketball courts in the United States are being converted into pickleball courts.

Some Tennis Players "Will Stay Tennis Players"

"Unfortunately, I see that we're losing some tennis courts to pickleball. They're putting the pickleball lines on courts instead of putting tennis lines on it. I'm going to stick to tennis and give back to the sport I love and always promote tennis," said 16-time Grand Slam doubles champion Bob Bryan, who is now the U.S. Davis Cup captain and will coach the country's tennis players at the Paris Olympics this summer.

"Pickleball is a very social game and it's easy to play and I think that's why people are loving it," Bryan added. "It's an equalizer. A grandma can play it with her young grandson and it can be competitive."

Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, hasn't tried pickleball yet. "It's exciting that there's a changeup in the game. There's a lot of girls who used to play tennis and switched to pickleball," Kenin said. "But I'm good at tennis, so I'll stick to that."

A spokesperson for the U.S. Tennis Association mentioned that the group running the U.S. Open has no plans to partner with pickleball or padel. This stands in sharp contrast to how the FFT has chosen to lead its sport into a more inclusive future.

Pickleball at the French Open and What It Signals

"A few years ago, people didn't know what padel was. They thought it was like this," Moretton said, pantomiming holding an oar and paddling. "Now everybody in France knows padel. And very quickly, people will know pickleball."

This debut of pickleball at the French Open is part of a broader trend. According to NBC Sports' coverage of the 2024 French Open, the event drew massive international attention, giving the sport a rare global stage.

Moretton is confident that tennis and pickleball can coexist. "Nothing is a threat to tennis. Tennis is huge. It's a special sport, physically, technically and mentally. We are not scared of having padel or pickleball taking over," he said.

"Pickleball will get bigger and bigger, but tennis players will stay tennis players."

Pickleball Growth in France: The Road Ahead

The FFT's decision to integrate pickleball signals a shift in how European tennis institutions are thinking about the sport's future. France now joins a growing list of countries where the sport is booming globally, and the momentum from Roland Garros could accelerate things quickly.

For fans new to the game, the beginner's guide to pickleball fundamentals is a great place to start. Those already playing tennis who are curious about the transition can also explore common mistakes tennis players make when switching to pickleball.

The sport's accessibility, its ease of pickup, and its social nature are all reasons why pickleball growth in France could mirror what has happened in the United States. And with the FFT backing it at the highest level, the foundation is clearly being built.

One useful tool for players looking to gauge their competitive level is the pickleball skill quiz, which helps players understand where they stand relative to others on the court.

Whether you're an experienced player or just curious about the history of pickleball and how it got its unusual name, the sport's arrival on the world's biggest clay court stage marks a turning point. Pickleball at the French Open was more than a demonstration. It was a declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened with pickleball at the French Open?

The French Tennis Federation converted clay courts at Roland Garros into three temporary pickleball courts during the 2024 French Open. Former world No. 1 Amélie Mauresmo and FFT president Gilles Moretton participated in a demonstration session, and fans were invited to try the sport firsthand.

Is pickleball officially recognized in France?

Yes, the FFT has officially brought pickleball under its umbrella and is seeking government approval to hold a sanctioned national championship. The federation is also planning to launch a national pickleball ranking and an Open de France Pickleball before the end of the 2024 sporting season.

How many pickleball courts are there in France?

There are approximately 300 pickleball courts in France, compared to 34,000 tennis courts. FFT president Gilles Moretton expects that number to grow rapidly, pointing to the similar boom in the United States as a model for what is possible.

Why is pickleball growing so fast internationally?

Pickleball is easier to pick up than tennis and can be played competitively at almost any age or skill level, making it uniquely accessible. Its social format, lower barrier to entry, and the fact that four pickleball courts can fit on one tennis court all contribute to its rapid spread in countries like France.

What did top tennis players say about pickleball at the French Open?

Reactions were mixed but generally positive. Mauresmo said the sport was easy to enjoy quickly, while Moretton predicted pickleball would become big in France. Bob Bryan acknowledged the sport's social appeal, and Sofia Kenin said it was exciting but planned to stay in tennis herself.