Unlike virtually every other professional sport, a spot in pickleball's upper echelon doesn't seem to require having devoted one's entire childhood to it. In tennis, most players toil away, living a life of a middle-class journeyman, facing relentless pressure to succeed. This structure has created a grueling environment with a high injury rate, and the average retirement age nearing 27, making it an unfavorable path for many. In contrast, pickleball offers a more accessible route for diverse athletes.
Professional pickleball is mostly free of constraints, allowing former college lacrosse players and bank managers to break into the top ranks past the age of 30. This inclusivity marks a stark departure from traditional sports like tennis, where reaching the pro level typically happens after years of intensive training from a young age. Such stories of 'ordinary' athletes breaking into elite sports ranks are reminiscent of extraordinary tales in the NFL and MLB, yet unheard of in tennis.
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