Pickleball, which may be played as singles or doubles, appeals to players of all ages and skill levels since it combines strategy with exercise.

Bill Gates, the tech mogul and philanthropist, has revealed his surprising fitness secret: pickleball. In a recent interview, Gates admitted that he has been playing a lot of pickleball, and that he has noticed a significant improvement in his physical fitness.

Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, also shared his thoughts on the rising popularity of pickleball, especially in North America, during a conversation with Nikhil Kamath on his latest podcast. The topic emerged after Kamath complimented Gates on his improved fitness, saying, “You look fitter than I remember seeing you the last time. What’s your fitness secret?”

“I have playing more tennis and a little bit of pickleball,” responded Gates.

Kamath, intrigued by the surge in popularity, asked whether pickleball was gaining traction globally, especially in India. Gates responded by highlighting the sport’s explosive growth in the U.S., particularly in states like California and Florida.

“Is pickleball really picking up becase it is in India because it is in India, said Kamath to which Gates replied, “In North America, it’s unbelievable, particularly California, Florida. More People play pickleball now than tennis. So its actually passed a five.”

So, what is it about pickleball that has made it such a hit? Pickleball has gained widespread popularity due to its unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Played on a smaller court with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, it appeals to players of all ages and skill levels.

Gates’ endorsement of pickleball is likely to further fuel its popularity.

How Was Pickleball Invented?

Pickleball is a sport that was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. It was invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, who wanted to find new activities for their children to do in the summers. They came up with a game using ping-pong paddles, a plastic ball with holes, and a low badminton net. The game quickly became popular and spread beyond their backyard. There are different stories about how the game got its name, but one thing is for sure: pickleball is no longer just a backyard game.