Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by Drew Pierce
While Merriam-Webster foolishly chose “gaslighting” as the word of the year, I like my choice better: pickleball.
The three-syllable noun defined my 2022. I started with the sport in March, yet it feels much longer, and that’s a good thing!
I set a goal to play the sport with minimal expectations. But I fell in love; all-consuming love!
So, in the style of Spotify Wrapped, here’s a look at the pickleball numbers that defined me in 2022.
ONE: I was in the top 1% of people who spent their time playing pickleball and wore a Whoop band to track their exercise. I was tracked playing 79 times for a total of 123 hours, burning somewhere in the ballpark of 61,000 calories.
TWO: This was the year I proudly became a USA Pickleball Ambassador and a PPR-certified coach.
THREE: I participated in three lessons and clinics this year. I started with a one-on-one class at my local tennis center to better understand the sport. From there, I attended an APP Academy at Pickle N’ Par with Zane Navratil and Frank Anthony Davis followed by an Engage Pickleball Camp with Stephane Jolicouer and Jose Derisi.
FOUR: I played in four doubles tournaments in 2022, three run by LI Kick and one by The World Pickleball Association. I racked up a bronze and silver medal and closed the year with two golds. Thank you to my partners! Speaking of “four,” I need to challenge myself next year with a 4.0 tourney!
NINE: Throughout the year, I played in nine different leagues, resulting in meeting countless awesome people.
SEVENTEEN: Between Alley Pond Tennis Center and Carefree in Merrick, I participated in 17 open play sessions, each making me a better player.
THIRTY-SIX: The dollars of revenue generated from the blog. Plus two cents.
FIFTY-SEVEN: The percentage of points I won during my 16-week Monday night league. This is where I played too nice.
TWO-HUNDRED SEVENTEEN: The number of games I played during my Wednesday night league, going 143 – 74.
TWO-THOUSAND THREE-HUNDRED THIRTEEN: The number of users to visit Pickleball Rookie since I launched the blog in May.
A LOT: The amount of money I spent on pickleball equipment, gear and court time.
Pickleball proudly defined my year, and I am excited to continue my journey in 2023. Thanks to all who supported my effort. The best is yet to come!
2023 Pickleball Goals
- Play at least 120 times, a 20%+ increase over my first year playing (which started in March!)
- Play in a 4.0 tournament
- Introduce other means of exercise into my routine; 2022 saw me abandon biking, running, and other exercise opportunities for pickleball. The sport helps me burn calories, but I don’t see it doing much for muscle tone.
- Build more compelling pickleball content, including interviews with people from the pickleball universe and pickleball product reviews; challenge myself to reach beyond “text” and experiment with TikTok, YouTube, etc.
- Grow major KPIs such as unique pageviews, organic traffic referrals, search position, and affiliate income.
- Attend a pickleball-related networking event.
- HAVE FUN. Pickleball is a passion project. Win or lose, grow Pickleball Rookie or not, the number one goal is to enjoy the good life. 🙂
2023 Pickleball Predictions
- The past year saw dozens of high-profile celebrities and athletes get in on the action by investing in pickleball teams. I don’t see that trend slowing down, but I wonder if it will adversely impact the sport’s growth. While pickleball’s exposure will continue to grow, so will the haters. For every person who picks up a paddle, how many will write the game off, believing it will crash and burn like a crypto shitcoin? 2023 will be the year we find out if all press is good press.
- Investments will shift from pickleball teams to equipment, facilities and digital utilities. There might be a market to watch the sport professionally, but I need more convincing. However, the game has a high ceiling for long-term recreational play.
- Expect to pay more for court time, especially in my stomping grounds in New York, as I have seen the demand grow exponentially firsthand. I have also seen upward prices for leagues, open plays, and hourly rentals.
- Anything that expands rapidly will experience growing pains. Many of the businesses I’ve encountered in the pickleball space will be under pressure to meet the demands of today’s digitally-savvy consumers. As the game attracts younger players, customer service, reservation systems, and overall communications will need improvement. During my first year, I let many faulty experiences slide since I understand the game’s colossal growth; I do not expect consumers to be as patient in 2023.
- Everyone will look to cash in. Retailers will pump out more fashion, courts will pop up in more places, and there will be more USA Pickleball-approved paddles than ever before.
- Pickleball travel will start to take off, with players basing their hotel, resort and real estate rental choices around the sport.
- Pickleball fashion will continue to work its way into the mainstream; high socks, multi-purpose bags, and accessories will continue to become part of casual athletic wear, on and off of the court.
What are your pickleball predictions and goals for 2023?
Drew Pierce is a USA Pickleball Ambassador, PPR certified coach, and tennis crossover who covers beginner tips, paddle releases, and the sport’s growing culture. Read more on his About page or tune into Pickle Rock Radio.