My pet theory is that the "improved" technology of tennis rackets paved the way for pickleball. "New" (to me, I'm 48 and played varsity in high-school) tennis

My pet theory is that the "improved" technology of tennis rackets paved the way for pickleball. "New" (to me, I'm 48 and played varsity in high-school) tennis rackets are actually now TOO light and the strings are too grippy, allowing for just stupid levels of spin and baseline control usually reserved for the pros. This severely reduces net play and increases a whole lot of court running. Pickleball brings back that part.