This year, I really want to try playing pickleball, a popular sport combining tennis, badminton and table tennis. I’m good at badminton and tried tennis in China, but fewer Americans play badminton, so I want to try pickleball as a new way to exercise and make friends.

The pickleball court and ball looks like ones from tennis, but the court is half the size of a tennis court, and the ball is sometimes plastic instead of fuzzy. Also, a tennis racquet has tight plastic strings in a grid, while the pickle ball racquet is like a book with a handle, and is smaller than the tennis racquet. Sometimes you can play doubles, so one player is near the net and one player is near the baseline. You can’t hit the ball too strongly, or else it will go out of the court and you will lose the point. The ball is lighter so you need to hit it not too strongly and not too lightly. Hit it too lightly and it won’t move. In tennis, sometimes you have to run a very long distance to get the ball, but in pickleball you don’t have to. Pickleball is faster paced than tennis because the court is smaller so you have less time to react. We always go Saturday afternoon so there aren’t people watching us.

When I first played, I felt relaxed because it’s similar to tennis—my arm swing and wrist strength are the same as playing tennis. I played well even for the first time, surprising my friends. I love playing with friends, and it’s more energetic than playing video games.

To play better, I need to improve three skills. First, better ball control—important because the light ball needs proper strength. Second, faster movement, since the small court makes pickleball faster-paced, leaving less reaction time. Third, a good partner, as doubles requires teamwork to cover the court well.

Unlike tennis, pickleball doesn’t require long runs, so it’s less tiring but still full of fun. Every time I play, I feel my body get warmer and more energetic, and it keeps me healthy both physically and mentally. It also lets me enjoy happy time with friends, chat and laugh together, and stay away from electronics that often make me lazy. Improving my skills little by little makes me proud and encourages me to keep practicing.

In short, pickleball brings joy, exercise, health and friendship. I look forward to practicing better this year, and I believe it will make my life more enjoyable.