Is Pickleball Suitable for Everyone, Regardless of Age, Ability, or Fitness Level?

Below are various pickleball players that prove the game is for everyone and that your ability, skill level, or age can’t significantly impact your gameplay.

Ben Johns

Ben started playing pickleball at the age of 17 in 2016 while on a vacation in Florida. Johns's achievements in Pickleball include a 108-match winning streaks in singles.

Image from: ppatour

Sid Cojac

Cojac was among the oldest pickleball players. Besides pickleball, he played badminton, table tennis, track and basketball. Playing pickleball regularly at the Marcus Jewish Community Center in Atlanta, Georgia, helped him stay in shape.

Pro-lite Sports and Neil Friedenburg nominated Sid as the March 2013 Pickleball Rocks player of the month. Sid passed away in 2016 at the age of 103.

Image from: 11alive

Leurene Hildenbrand

The over-90-year-old woman plays pickleball four times a week. While she is also an active bicycle cyclist, table tennis player, and rollerblader, Hildenbrand claims to have found her passion in pickleball.

Her love for the game has enabled her to win numerous medals, which she has kept in a box in her basement. Hildenbrand has started various pickleball leagues and helped beginner players get into pickleball.

Image from: fox13news

Michael Lipp

Michael plays pickleball at the Fort Phoenix court in Fair Haven. He has been playing pickleball since he retired from teaching in 2016.

Lipp has participated in numerous tournaments where he was the only wheelchair player and won medals in quite a few of them.

He also competed in the US pickleball championships in Naples, Florida, winning a silver medal in wheelchair player singles and a bronze medal in doubles.

Image from: South Coast Today

Julie Nidiffer

Julie lost about 100 pounds playing pickleball.

Now, at her ideal weight, Julie plays pickleball 2 to 3 times a week on the indoor courts. Her greatest support is her husband, Jerry, and together, they have improved their skills to the point they now compete in tournaments.

Interestingly, the couple has won medals in a few events. They once won a silver medal in 2.5 mixed doubles at a tournament in Jackson, Tennessee.

Image from: Tennessean