“Not many sports or activities can be enjoyed by such a huge cross-section of people at different ages, fitness levels, income and sheer physical ability,” says YouFit CEO Brian Vahaly, who’s also a former professional tennis player. That’s what makes pickleball so unique. And so popular. “It is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., and we definitely see that trend continuing,” explains Laura Futterman, spokesperson for the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). The funny-sounding sport is no joke these days, Futterman continues, leaping 40% in popularity between 2019 and 2021, steadily growing to include 4.8 million players and counting.