Patience, Paddles and a Plastic Ball: Pickleball in Istanbul

Listen first. Pock. Pock. Then a quick series of softer sounds as four players move toward the net. Nobody wants to hit the ball hard. Everyone waits for someone else to make a mistake. When someone finally does, the ball goes up, the other side hits it down, and everyone laughs.

That's pickleball. It looks easy from the outside. Once you're on court, it's more like a game of chess, with a few moments of panic.

How It Started

In the summer of 1965, on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, three friends wanted a game their families could play together. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum had a badminton court but not enough rackets. So they used ping-pong paddles and a plastic ball with holes, and lowered the net until the game worked.

They never planned to create a global sport, but that's what happened. Today pickleball has its own rules, clubs and international tournaments. In the United States, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association counted 24.3 million players in 2025, up from 4.2 million in 2020.

And the name? People often say it came from the family dog, Pickles. It didn't: the dog was born three years later. Joan Pritchard named the game after the "pickle boat" in rowing, a team made from leftover rowers. A game made from leftover equipment, named after a boat of leftovers. It fits.

Why Power Doesn't Win

Pickleball is played on a court the size of a badminton court, with a solid paddle and a light plastic ball. Hit it too hard and it flies out.

Two rules make the game special:

• The two-bounce rule: after the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side. Nobody can rush to the net straight away.

• The kitchen: this is a two-meter zone on each side of the net. You can't hit the ball in the air while standing in it.

So the best moments happen near the net. Players hit small, soft shots called "dinks" that just clear the net. The first person to lose patience usually loses the point.

That's why tennis players often expect an easy game and get a surprise.

It's also different from padel, the other paddle sport you'll see in Istanbul. Padel is played inside glass walls, and the ball can bounce off them. Pickleball has no walls.

You can learn the basics in one afternoon. Learning to play softly takes much longer.

Pickleball in Türkiye

In February 2025, pickleball and padel joined the Turkish Tennis Federation. Since then, the federation has been training referees and coaches. From 23 to 27 February 2026, it held a first-level assistant coach course for pickleball at Taçspor in Istanbul.

There are no reliable numbers yet for how many people play in Türkiye. But more coaches means more people can learn.

Where to Play in Istanbul

Spor İstanbul, the city's municipal sports company, offers pickleball at three facilities:

• Cemal Kamacı Sports Complex, Kağıthane, on the European side

• İBB Maltepe Sports Facilities, in Orhangazi City Park, Maltepe, on the Asian side

• Kafkale Sports Complex, Tuzla, on the Asian side

You register online with Spor İstanbul, and the system asks for a Turkish ID number. If you're new in Istanbul or don't have a residence permit yet, call the facility first. Times, equipment and booking options are different at each venue.

The Smileys Pickleball Club

The Smileys Pickleball Club started in Istanbul to get members playing together. Kathryn, an American, played a big part in its early days and helped many new players discover the game. She has now left Istanbul, and the club is ready for its next chapter.

We're looking for new volunteer hosts. Hosts organize games, bring players together and keep the club active. You don't need to be an expert. Enthusiasm and reliability matter more. If you're interested, offer to host through Get Involved.

Before Your First Game

• Wear court shoes, not running shoes.

• Bring water, plus a paddle and balls if the venue doesn't provide them.

• Learn the serve, the two-bounce rule and the kitchen.

• You don't need a partner, because players often rotate.

• Expect to lose a few points at the net. Everyone does.

You'll forget the score by dinner. But you'll remember that one perfect soft shot.