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Tennis Courts or Pickleball Courts? The Clash Over Land Use Rages On

A war is breaking out across America, that is dividing us as a nation. 

It is a war between two different types of people: the wise person sees two posts and a net, it is a masterpiece of athletic design, with its carefully measured service line, baseline, and alleys. This structure emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility,  and the hard work that goes into mastering shots and building skills to honor the game. It’s clear the length and size of the court was designed to push human performance. To this person the court is a symbol of challenge, excellence, and the preservation of values and traditions that have stood the test of time.

To the uninformed snowflake the two posts, net and size of the court is a symbolic reflection of their inadequacies.  The large court, and racket size represents a game that divides people who fear any sort of learning curve, they are a victim and deserve an environment of fairness and low expectations.  The rules and etiquette are oppressive and restricts their perceived freedom. To this person the court is a symbol of the need for change, an injustice to them, and the need for easy recreation and progress towards a more equal and inclusive society.

This battle is playing out across the nation – per the New York Times. “When officials in Asheville, N.C., submitted plans to convert the three tennis courts in Murphy-Oakley Park into eight pickleball courts, tennis players rebelled. In Arizona, there was so much bad blood between the two factions that a law firm provided guidance to homeowners’ associations on how to avoid lawsuits. Tennis players in Hawaii complained that the organizers of the Pacific Rim Pickleball Cup had created a potential safety hazard on the courts because of the “gooey adhesive” they had left behind after they laid out pickleball lines with yellow tape.”   – NYT

Irvine, Ca. Tennis Players Are In A Pickle After a Bunch of Dill-witted Pickleballers Try to Appropriate the Tennis Courts At the Woodbridge, South Lake Tennis Club.

It is a war over land.  For over three decades, the Woodbridge Tennis Club has been a bastion of tennis excellence, providing a home for players of all ages and skill levels. From the two-handed backhand of Andre Agassi to the serve of Pete Sampras, tennis is a sport that requires dedication, practice, and finesse, and the Woodbridge Tennis Club has been the perfect place to hone those skills.

The Brymer Lewis Tennis Academy is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels of the Woodbridge Tennis Club. With a long history of producing some of the most talented players in the sport, this academy has been the driving force behind the success of countless aspiring tennis stars. Under the guidance of the renowned coaches, Chuck Brymer and Chris Lewis, the academy has attracted world-class players like Ivan Lendl and Michael Chang, who have helped shape the careers of budding tennis stars. (BTW, Chris Lewis reached the Wimbledon final in 1983, matched against John McEnroe, cementing his place as one of the greatest tennis players of his era.) With a focus on technical precision, physical fitness, and mental toughness, the Brymer Lewis Tennis Academy has consistently enabled its students to reach their full potential and achieve greatness in the sport of tennis. https://www.brymerlewistennis.com/

So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner just starting out, the Woodbridge Tennis Club and the Brymer Lewis Tennis Academy is the perfect place to perfect the game, make new friends, and become a part of a rich tennis tradition.

Recently, there have been calls to introduce pickleball courts at the Woodbridge Tennis Club by converting tennis courts into pickle ball courts. As tennis legend Martina Navratilova  said, “I say if pickleball is that popular let them build their own courts.”

It’s a sentiment that many at the Woodbridge Tennis Club agree with. While they have nothing against pickleball as a sport, they feel logistically there just isn’t room to sacrifice a court for pickle ball use, that introducing it to the club would be a distraction and take away from the club’s storied history and heritage.

After all, the Woodbridge Tennis Club has been a hub for tennis enthusiasts for over 30 years, producing great players and fostering a love of the game. The Woodbridge Tennis Club’s players, leagues and academies strongly oppose the introduction of pickle ball to the facility. Surrounding homeowners also support this stance due to the noise pollution and increased crowd size that pickle ball brings, as its courts are smaller and can accommodate four times the amount of  players as compared to tennis.  The parking lot at the facility is not sufficient for such crowds. The facility was designed for tennis, and all concerned tennis players believe the focus should remain on tennis and providing a top-notch environment for players to develop their skills and passion for the sport.

The Verdict: Woodbridge, the second largest planned community in America should build a new facility dedicated to the game of Pickleball with all noise and crowd considerations in mind.

The debate: Which sport is better?

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Great Tennis v. Pickleball Debate! In this corner, we have tennis, the sport of kings, requiring years of practice, dedication, and finesse to master. And in the other corner, we have pickleball, the up-and-coming recreational sport that’s gaining popularity among people who don’t want to spend years learning how to play.

On one hand, tennis has a rich history, with iconic players like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and the current greats like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Tennis requires athleticism, strategy, and mental toughness, making it a sport that challenges you both physically and mentally. It’s the game of singles, the game of doubles, and the game that’s been played by the best athletes in the world on the international stage.

On the other hand, pickleball is accessible and easy to learn, making it a great option for people who just want to have fun and get some exercise. You don’t need to spend years perfecting every shot or mastering court positioning to enjoy a game of pickleball. According to tennis legend Martina Navratilova,

 “the biggest reason pickleball is so popular, IMNSHO, is that you can be decent and feel successful rather quickly. Unlike tennis, which- in the words of my friend Joel Drucker- takes a long time not to suck.”

So, which sport is better? It’s a tough call. Are you a die-hard tennis fan who believes in the beauty of the sport and the dedication it requires to excel? Or are you ready to join the pickleball revolution and have fun without the pressure of years of training? Either way, the Great Tennis v. Pickleball Debate is a battle that will likely be fought in your town. Let’s get ready to rumble! Or, you know, hit a small plastic ball back and forth. Same difference.

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About Civil Rest

Mitigating the American discourse with kindness, Civil Rest is focused on shining a light at what divides us and bridging that gap with truth, reason, and civility in an effort to forge an even better America.

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