John McEnroe doubles down: “Pickleball is stupid,” but he’ll play for a paycheck
Tennis legend John McEnroe publicly derides pickleball as “stupid” and “sucks,” yet he has accepted lucrative appearance fees to play in exhibitions, revealing a tension between high-profile criticism and financial incentives in the sport’s rise.
- McEnroe’s stance: He has repeatedly called pickleball “stupid” and derided its hype (Awful Announcing, The Dink Pickleball).
- Paid appearances: McEnroe has taken high‑paying pickleball gigs — sometimes earning more than for tennis events (Awful Announcing).
- Broader trend: Former and stalled tennis pros are moving to pickleball for appearance fees, sponsorships and simpler tour structures (The Dink Pickleball).
McEnroe’s long-running dislike of pickleball
John McEnroe’s dismissal of pickleball is longstanding. In interviews and broadcasts he has called the sport “stupid” and said he’s tired of hearing it called the “fastest-growing sport.” Promoting his documentary, he bluntly said, “I’m not a convert to pickleball, I think it sucks.”
He often frames pickleball as a smaller, less athletic cousin of tennis — an arena football vs. NFL analogy — suggesting it demands less physicality. Still, McEnroe concedes mild positives: it can be an equalizer for casual players and may lead some viewers to discover tennis.
The MacZone moment with Eugenie Bouchard
Tension surfaced during the MacZone alternate broadcast from Paris when McEnroe and his brother Patrick interviewed Eugenie “Genie” Bouchard, who now plays professional pickleball. McEnroe joked that a player “leaving the sport to play that damn stupid pickleball” felt absurd.
Bouchard noted he had played pickleball, and McEnroe admitted to participating in two weekends of events — saying he was paid more for those appearances than for some tennis competitions. He insisted he was facing tennis players in those events, not established pickleball pros, and described the gigs as “selling out” rather than an endorsement.
Sources: Awful Announcing, The Dink Pickleball
What he objects to: sound, aesthetics and the name
McEnroe’s critique focuses on sensory and cultural aspects. He singles out the sound of the plastic ball — the “plink” and “plonk” — which he says lacks the satisfying pop of a tennis ball off strings. He also mocks the sport’s name, calling it “goofy,” and likens the play to a gym-class game invented by a teacher. These complaints mirror broader traditionalist views that treat pickleball as a rec-center pastime rather than a professional sport.
Playing for pay: hypocrisy or savvy business?
Despite public derision, McEnroe has accepted sizable appearance fees. He has been candid that money played a role, saying organizers “threw money at us” and that large purses were enjoyable. One reported event had a $1 million purse, underscoring how lucrative celebrity pickleball exhibitions can be (Awful Announcing).
This split between public criticism and paid participation is not unique to McEnroe: several former tennis pros have shifted toward pickleball where appearance fees, sponsorships and tour guarantees can exceed late-career tennis opportunities. McEnroe frames his appearances as business decisions rather than ideological conversions.
Tennis pros turning to pickleball
Notable names crossing over include Genie Bouchard, Jack Sock and Sam Querrey. For many, pickleball offers:
- Smaller competitive fields
- Attractive sponsorship money
- Lower travel demands and longer career prospects
McEnroe used Bouchard’s move as a foil on the MacZone: she embraced the switch while he insisted his participation was transactional (The Dink Pickleball).
Cultural pushback: name and gym-class vibe
Backlash often centers on perception: the name “pickleball,” the lightweight plastic ball, and the smaller court give the sport a gym-class aura for some critics. Figures like McEnroe epitomize the traditionalist view that the sport feels unserious — yet that viewpoint coexists with a growing professional circuit, prize money and engaged fan bases treating pickleball as legitimate.
The sound debate
McEnroe’s emphasis on noise links to community disputes in places where pickleball has exploded. The sharp pop of the ball can carry and become a neighborhood complaint, motivating calls to limit court conversions. Proponents counter that pickleball offers accessible recreation and community-building benefits. McEnroe’s comments amplify local gripes with a high-profile voice.
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
Pickleball’s growth carries economic, political and social consequences for the Inland Empire.
Economic impact
- Court conversions and facilities: Demand can create construction and programming jobs and prompt clubs to add courts.
- Events and tourism: Tournaments and celebrity exhibitions can bring visitors who spend on hotels, restaurants and retail.
- Coaching and youth programs: Opportunities for lessons, camps and leagues can generate new revenue streams.
Political consequences
- Parks and planning debates: Noise, parking and court conversions can become municipal political topics.
- Funding priorities: Shifts toward courts may trigger criticism if other needs feel neglected.
Social effects
- Intergenerational play & health: Pickleball attracts older adults and younger players, offering low-impact exercise for seniors.
- Community friction: Growth can create tensions between neighbors, tennis clubs and facility users.
Cultural relevance
The Inland Empire’s expanding suburbs may adopt pickleball as part of local recreation culture. Reactions from traditionalists like McEnroe may sway local opinion, either discouraging support or prompting advocates to double down on facilities and programming.
Practical applications for residents
- Where to play: Check parks departments and community calendars for open-play hours and beginner clinics.
- Noise and etiquette: Work with neighbors to schedule hours, add buffer zones, or install noise‑mitigation measures.
- Coaching and business: Entrepreneurs can explore lessons, equipment sales, pop-up tournaments or youth camps.
Sources and further reading
- Awful Announcing — “John McEnroe: hearing that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport makes me ‘want to throw up’”
- The Dink Pickleball — profile and quotes compilation
- Viral pickleball celebrity clip (YouTube) — McEnroe joke after scoring dispute
- McEnroe on the Pat McAfee Show (clip)
- Tennis Warehouse forum discussion of McEnroe comments
“I’m not a convert to pickleball, I think it sucks.” — John McEnroe (quoted during promotion for his documentary)
