Serena Williams injured herself playing pickleball: the tennis legend is taking a break from the sport

Tennis legend Serena Williams , a 23-time Grand Slam champion, recently revealed that she injured herself playing pickleball , a rapidly growing racquet sport, and that this experience led her to take a break from the sport . This anecdote, shared following her appearance on the Amazon Prime Video show Good Sports with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson , demonstrates that even athletes accustomed to physical exertion can be surprised by the specific demands of a new sport like pickleball. 

An unexpected injury during a friendly match

During the interview, Serena Williams was asked about her relationship with pickleball, a sport she recently tried outside of her professional tennis career. She explained honestly and frankly that she had suffered an injury playing pickleball , which put her off the activity. 

According to her, although pickleball is fast-paced and fun, it differs significantly from tennis, particularly in terms of equipment. She explained that a pickleball paddle is smaller and heavier than a tennis paddle, which can be surprising and lead to unusual movements for a player accustomed to traditional tennis. 

Because of this injury and her experience, she stated that she was not particularly fond of pickleball at the moment, preferring sports like tennis or padel to which she feels more physically suited. 

What Serena revealed during the show

During the show, host Kevin Hart asked Serena if she was “pro-pickleball”. In her response, she explained:

“I am a tennis player… I like padel, I like tennis, but I injured myself playing pickleball, and since I am used to tennis rackets, which are lighter and larger, this sport surprised me a little.” 

She added that because of this experience, she had remained somewhat reluctant to take up pickleball again , although she acknowledges that the activity can be fun. 

An injury that serves as a reminder of the importance of physical preparation.

Even though Serena Williams has spent the majority of her life training for professional tennis, a very physically demanding sport, this experience highlights that every discipline has its own risks:

• Pickleball requires a different type of coordination and movements ;

• Equipment, such as snowshoes, can affect how the body reacts to movement.

  For a top athlete like Serena, used to optimizing every movement, this change can lead to tension or pain, especially during a transition to a new sport. 

Pickleball, a sport on the rise… but not without challenges

Pickleball is experiencing spectacular growth, particularly in the United States, attracting millions of new players each year thanks to its accessibility and the social aspect of the game. However, as with any sport, it carries a risk of injury , especially for those unfamiliar with its technical aspects.

Serena Williams' experience therefore highlights an important reality: even the most accomplished athletes sometimes have to adapt physically and technically to new practices, and it is essential to incorporate appropriate preparation work to avoid injuries. 

What are the key takeaways?

Serena Williams' foray into pickleball ended with an injury that forced her to step back from the sport, despite its growing popularity. While this anecdote brought a smile to many fans' faces, it also serves as a reminder that every sport has its own specific demands, even for a champion of Serena's caliber.

This story should encourage both beginner and experienced players to take their time to adapt to pickleball, to fully understand the differences with other racquet sports, and never to underestimate the importance of technique and physical preparation.