Serious tennis fans know the original forms of tennis developed in France in the late 12th century. While the current form originated in Birmingham, England in the late 19th century, purists, excluding perhaps Wimbledon fans, adhere stubbornly to France as the sport’s progenitor. Either way, today tennis is a world-wide favorite of millions of fans, even in the USA although, according to Apple Heart and Movement study, pickleball has recently passed tennis in popularity.
The French Open ended on Sunday with twenty-one-year-old Carlos Alcaraz beating Alexander Zverev in five sets. He has now won Grand Slam titles on grass, hard, and clay courts. That’s quite an accomplishment and, given his youth and athleticism, we might expect to see him at the top of the rankings for many years. Aside from terrific tennis, picklers took note of the fact that the French Tennis Federation (FTF) set aside four courts at Roland-Garros for exhibition pickleball matches. That’s right, the FTF has officially embraced pickleball. Does that mean the French will be bitten by the pickle bug? Who knows, but given the exploding popularity of the sport, it’s a real possibility.
My wife Ellen and I plan to be in France in early October. The primary reason for our trip, if one really needs a reason to visit France, is to attend the 80th anniversary celebration of the day the 386th Bomb Group landed in Beaumont sur Oise on October 6, 1944, during World War II. My mother Fitje Pitts, who was an American Red Cross volunteer attached to the 386th, was with them. The secondary reasons will be to immerse ourselves in Paris, including seeing if Paris is on the brink of a pickleball explosion. According to FTF president, Gilles Moretton, there are currently about 300 pickleball courts in France compared to 34,000 tennis courts, but the difference will undoubtedly narrow.
Dinah and Tom Zapatka helped introduce the sport in New Zealand. It has been embraced by Australia, China, Germany and many other countries. It’s even established a small toehold in Rwanda. One might conclude that it’s only a matter of time before the sport is globally popular enough to be included in the summer Olympics.
On a personal note, as regular readers know, I’ve been on the sidelines nursing a recalcitrant back for the last three years. Now that I am slowly tiptoeing back into the game, I want to thank the various groups which have allowed me to play. Thanks to Marilyn Brady, Nancy Ambler, Mike Hazuda, Joe Nicholson, Eric Larsen, Jim Emery and all the members of their groups who have patiently endured my erratic play.
Finally, be sure to sign up for the 4th of July round robin. Those who have played in past round robins will attest to how much fun they are. They are social in nature, so leave your egos at home and come to Franklin Creek for fun, food, and the heralded Landings Club pour.