Platform tennis or as it’s affectionately known, paddle, was first played in 1928 in Scarsdale, NY. James (Jimmy) Cogswell and Fessenden (Fess) Blanchard wanted an outdoor sport that would give them something fun to do during the long New York winters.
Many people often confuse paddle tennis and pickleball, as the courts look very similar. “I would describe paddle tennis as a cross between tennis and racquetball. You play with a partner on an elevated court. You play on a court that is approximately half the size of a tennis court and enclosed with 20-foot high screens. The ball can be played off of the screens, which allow for much longer points than most other racquet sports,” said Greg Simakas, president of the North Park Paddle Tennis Association. The screens create a whole new element not seen in pickleball. Lisa Bechtold, captain of a division four women’s league in North Park, added that the sport is more similar to tennis, and the two biggest differences besides the screens are that the ball is harder than in tennis, and you only get one serve, which moves the game along much faster. Unlike tennis, singles play is very rare in paddle. Matches are almost always played as doubles.
Paddle is typically played outside between October and March, when most people are snug in their homes avoiding the outdoors altogether. Many players call it a cure for the winter blues. All paddle courts are heated, so winter conditions are no match for paddle players. The ball used to play paddle is another reason it’s a winter sport. The small, rubber ball is much firmer in the colder weather, which makes the bounces easier to control. During the warmer months, shots that normally land in will fly out of the court.
Scoring is the same as tennis, so that makes the move from tennis to paddle very natural for many players. Bechtold was a tennis player before she ever picked up a paddle racquet. “I started playing paddle because I was looking for a sport where I could use my racquet skills from tennis, but not have as much court to cover. I fell in love with the sport,” she said.
Previous experience with a racquet sport isn’t necessary though. Simakas said that he had little to no previous racquet sport experience. He got started because his wife had played for years and suggested he give it a try. “While having some racquet sport background is a plus, it certainly is not needed. Paddle points generally are not won, they are lost by the person hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds. If you can be patient and just learn to return the ball back over the net, then you will have success,” he said. Bechtold added that many paddle clubs have developmental teams and coaches for people who are just starting out.
While paddle is prevalent at many country clubs, there are a few public courts players can join. These include North Park, Mt. Lebanon Township, Sewickley YMCA and Upper St. Clair Township. All have varying levels of teams that compete both during the day and night, so players can find what works best for them. Jayne Citari, a player on one of North Park’s division four teams, said at North Park there are specific times the courts are available for public use, and there are extra paddle racquets and balls to borrow in the hut, making it easy for anyone to get started. North Park also has pros that are available for lessons. Citari’s one tip is to watch past tournament play on the American Platform Tennis Association’s (APTA) YouTube channel.
Simakas noted that paddle interest at North Park has skyrocketed in the last 10 years. “Our membership has almost doubled during that time. We embrace new members, we have numerous paddle socials and are always looking to grow the sport. We recently built a beautiful paddle hut to allow our members to host guests and provide an unparalleled opportunity to view matches.”
Simakas noted that community is a huge part of paddle. “People get involved with paddle tennis to play the sport, but after a very short time people love the social aspect even more than the actual sport,” he said. “You meet lots of different people, and the friendships that I have made are priceless.”
Bechtold agreed and said it’s a great way for players of all ages to connect. “You may be on the paddle court with a 25-year-old, a 40-year-old and a 70-year-old all competing together. The teams within the Pittsburgh paddle community support each other, and we often practice and play together during the off-season.” She added that there are typically potluck meals after the matches where both teams can chat and mingle.
Citari said that it was a great way for her to meet locals after moving to Pittsburgh from Chicago a few years ago. “I have enjoyed meeting players from other clubs; they are passionate about enjoying the sport competitively and socially,” she said. “I also enjoy playing with family and friends who are like-minded; there’s always laughter on the court.”
Bechtold said she loves that there’s always something new to learn with paddle, and that age isn’t a barrier. “I love that paddle tennis is a strategic game that any age player can play. Even if you are the most skilled player, you really need to think and strategize on the court. There is always an opportunity to learn more and improve your game.”
Simakas said he loves that players with no previous experience can eventually play at a high level. This shows that paddle is open to everyone. “Plus, in what other sport is it common to drink beer or wine during a match?”
To learn more about paddle, visit the Western Pennsylvania Platform Tennis Association website: https://wppta.tenniscores.com.