(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- About 850 players from across the country are competing in a pickleball tournament that’s back in Highland Park for the third year.
The growth in the Association of Pickleball Players tournament tracks with the increased popularity of the sport, organizers say.
Tom Webb, chief marketing officer of the organization, said players at the Chicago Open range in age from 15 to 80.
“It’s a sport that welcomes everybody, however good you are and however old or young you are,” he said.
Many of those “dinking in the kitchen” or smashing farther from the net used to play tennis, like former University of Illinois standouts Ryler DeHeart and his wife, Megan Fudge.
She said they are now touring the country in their RV with their kids and dogs as they play in professional tournaments.
Chuck Feinstein, a masters pro doubles player from Buffalo Grove, said he fell in love with the sport in part because of the way it fosters social interaction. He plays about five days a week, teaches lessons and runs leagues.
“I’ve met hundreds, probably thousands, of people playing in tournaments across the country and at all the local facilities,” he said.
The tournament at Danny Cunniff Park will be broadcast on ESPN+ and runs through Sunday. Tickets to watch in person are still for sale. Click here for more information.
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