As a tennis player, I never thought I’d find myself on a pickleball court. Yet, somehow, I ended up there—twice. And let me tell you, it was a humbling experience.

I had “played” pickleball before—with my office colleagues twice. And I use “played” very loosely because 70% of the time was spent picking up balls.

Without proper paddle feel, my colleagues whacked the ball like they were smashing a badminton shuttle. Ball flew, ball gone. Play again, another mishit. More running. At this rate, I was doing more cardio than actual playing.

I walked off the court thinking, This is not a sport. This feels more like running around picking up balls than actually playing a sport.

On my second day of Chinese New Year, my KL friend WhatsApp-ed me.

KL Friend: “Bro, I got a Friday morning pickleball game in Kulai. Wanna join?”
Me: “You got pickleball friends in Kulai?”
KL Friend: “No lah. Book via Reclub app. Play with strangers.”
Me: “OMG.. What is this nonsense?”

I’m an old-school uncle—sports are meant to be played with friends, not strangers from the internet. Not an algorithm deciding my opponents.

Then came the real shocker: There’s a pickleball court in Kulai?! Since when?!

But fine. I gave in. Third day of CNY, I joined him. How bad could it be?

Playing with strangers means unpredictable skill levels. Some barely move, some smash every ball, and some dink endlessly like a robot programmed for soft touches. No rhythm. No flow.

The key moment arrived when the neighboring court became vacant. My friend, a former strong tennis player, gave me the look.

Without hesitation, we grabbed our rackets. Two sets of intense pickleball—running, topspin rallies, net play. Every shot earned, every rally intense.

Not satisfied… the next day, we played a solid, exhausting 90-minute singles pickleball match.

And then there was me—trying to play tennis on a pickleball court. Every shot was a bit wrong:
✅ Took too big of a backswing.
✅ Hit too much slice (even my attempted drop shot was off).
✅ Rushed the net after serving like Boris Becker (forgot the return must bounce).
✅ Struggled with the tiny court size.
✅ And worst of all… had to adjust my grip for a backhand!

My friend told me to “just dink” (soft touch shots). Dink?! I’m wired for spin, power, and angles—not this slow, tap-tap nonsense!

After two days of battle, I admit it—I get it now. Pickleball is not just a “tap-tap” game. It has its own pace, strategy, and endurance challenge.

My final verdict: Damn❗️This is real sport

My biggest problem? My tennis habits. The solution? Dink more. #pickleball