When “What’s This Game?” Isn’t Really About Pickleball
I’m a millennial, which means I spend more time than I’d like to admit scrolling at night. My mom and aunt are just as bad—our family group chat is a never-ending thread of TikToks and Reels. It’s the beauty (and curse) of life in 2025.
Anyway, I stumbled across a video of two women playing pickleball on what looked like a private court. Everything was normal until a random man walked up midpoint and asked, “What is this?”
At first, I thought it was a joke. The players looked confused, gestured at the court, and said nothing. Then he followed up with, “No sh– Sherlock, but is it like a club?”
Later, a second clip confirmed it. He kept talking, tossing in a few “compliments” that quickly turned backhanded. It was textbook negging—the kind of subtle disrespect women recognize instantly.
The Bigger Problem Here
If you’ve played pickleball for more than five minutes, you know how it goes. Mention the sport and people immediately tell you about their cousin who plays or their neighbor who just built a court. Pickleball is everywhere.
So let’s be honest: in 2025, if you live near a pickleball court, you know what pickleball is. The guy didn’t need to interrupt midpoint to ask if it was a club. Two people hitting a ball is NOT a club.
And yet, this kind of “innocent question” happens constantly—not just on the court, but in coffee shops, gyms, sidewalks, everywhere. It’s the same dynamic women have dealt with forever: men striking up “small talk” that’s really about getting attention.
Why It Hits Different for Women
The player in that video wasn’t overly nice, and that’s exactly the point. She didn’t owe him kindness.
She’s a young woman out in public, trying to enjoy her time. A stranger approaches, interrupts her game, and demands engagement. Whether it’s a genuine curiosity or not, that’s uncomfortable. It’s a situation women face daily—balancing politeness with protection.
Men don’t usually approach strangers without wanting something. And women know it. That constant vigilance—deciding if you’re being hit on, mocked, or worse—is exhausting. We just want to play, breathe, and exist without managing someone else’s intentions.
The Reality: Women Deserve to Play in Peace
We shouldn’t have to change how we move through the world because we’re worried about being harassed, catcalled, or interrupted. But here we are—calculating risk on pickleball courts, in parking lots, and at grocery stores.
So while this video might seem small, it represents a bigger truth. Women deserve space—even when holding a paddle.
5 Tips for Women When Someone Interrupts You on the Court
Read the tone fast. Trust your instincts. If it feels off, it probably is.
Stay in motion. Keep the paddle in hand or continue rallying to signal you’re not stopping to chat.
Set a clear boundary. A simple “We’re mid-game, maybe later” is polite and firm.
Don’t over-explain. You don’t owe anyone details about what you’re doing or who you’re with.
Prioritize safety. If someone won’t back off, walk away or flag down another player. You’re allowed to protect your peace—no apology required.
When “Just Asking” Crosses the Line
Pickleball should be fun, social, and safe. But for women, that safety sometimes requires awareness most men never think about.
The next time someone “just asks a question” midpoint, remember: your boundaries are valid, your comfort matters, and no one has the right to interrupt your game.