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Anna Bright on Pickleball’s Rise and Tennis’ Future As pickleball surges in popularity, the former tennis standout offers her perspective on the evolving dynamics between the two sports. When Anna Bright traded her tennis racket for a pickleball paddle, she did more than pivot to a new sport-she joined a movement reshaping the athletic landscape. Bright, once ranked among the top collegiate tennis players in the nation at the University of California, Berkeley, now stands as one of pickleball’s most promising talents. Known for her aggressive, attacking style and two-handed backhand, she has claimed numerous professional titles. On a recent episode of the Engel Angle podcast, Bright reflected on pickleball’s rise and its effects on tennis, the sport where she first built her identity. “Pickleball is like a freight train that can’t be stopped,” she said. “It’s exploding because people love it. But tennis has so much history and pride, and I think it will need a revival if it wants to protect its space.” Pickleball’s Growth: A Double-Edged Sword for Tennis Bright doesn’t mince words about the practicalities of the debate: real estate. “On one tennis court, you can put up to four pickleball courts. You could have 16 people happily playing pickleball where only two to four might be playing tennis,” she explained. As empty tennis courts are increasingly converted to pickleball facilities, tensions between the two sports have escalated. Bright acknowledges the frustration of tennis players but believes the solution lies in building more dedicated pickleball facilities rather than uprooting active tennis spaces. Still, she cautioned that tennis will need to adapt. “If tennis doesn’t evolve, more courts will be converted,” she said. The Case for a Tennis Revival For Bright, tennis’s challenge isn’t just competition from pickleball-it’s its own accessibility. “Tennis is a hard game to pick up as an adult,” she noted. “That’s something pickleball has on it. People with no racket-sport background are falling in love with pickleball. Tennis? Much harder.” Bright believes the key to tennis’s longevity lies in engaging young players. Reflecting on her own experience growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, she pointed to active youth programs as a driving force behind her love for the game. “I grew up with high school courts full of kids’ programs,” she said. “Now, I drive by high schools and see courts sitting empty. That needs to change.” She also highlighted the need for more structured development pathways. “In some states, kids as young as eight are competing against top-tier 12-year-olds in tournaments, which can be discouraging. That’s one reason my sister stopped playing after we moved to Florida,” Bright explained. Tennis, she said, has the groundwork in place but needs to modernize and invest in youth programs to retain its relevance. “It starts with kids. Programs that make tennis accessible and enjoyable will be essential.” What Tennis Can Learn from Pickleball Bright sees parallels between the challenges tennis faces and the opportunities pickleball is just beginning to navigate. While pickleball has captivated adults, it’s still working to create meaningful pathways for young players. “Right now, pickleball doesn’t have youth divisions-it’s mostly segmented for adults,” she said. “But now tours are developing youth leagues and pathways, which will be critical for its growth.” Both sports, Bright believes, must prioritize youth engagement to secure their futures. While pickleball has the momentum, tennis has the infrastructure-if it can evolve. A Trailblazer’s Perspective Bright’s journey from tennis to pickleball reflects broader trends in the athletic world. After a standout collegiate career at Berkeley, where she led her team in singles wins in 2021, she began playing pickleball with her parents in late 2021. Within months, she emerged as a top competitor, known for her fiery play and resilience. Off the court, she has completed the grueling Pacific Crest Trail, a 113-day trek from Mexico to Canada, a testament to her determination. She also represents the global brand Joola, which produces her signature paddle. Despite her shift in focus, Bright’s insights into tennis come from a place of deep respect and experience. “Tennis was really good to me,” she said. “But pickleball offers something fresh and exciting. Both sports have a place, but they’ll need to grow in different ways to thrive.” In-Depth Summary Anna Bright’s story is emblematic of the shifting dynamics between tennis and pickleball. A former collegiate tennis standout, Bright has become one of pickleball’s rising stars, known for her attacking style and competitive spirit. In this interview, she addressed the complicated relationship between the two sports, acknowledging pickleball’s rapid growth and its impact on tennis. Bright believes pickleball’s success stems from its accessibility and social appeal, which attract players of all ages, even those without a background in racket sports. Conversely, tennis faces challenges in retaining relevance, particularly among youth. Bright emphasized the importance of youth programs and structured development pathways as key to revitalizing tennis and maintaining its identity. While Bright champions pickleball, she respects tennis’s legacy and hopes both sports can find their own paths to growth. Her perspective, shaped by her unique journey across both worlds, offers a thoughtful lens on how these sports can coexist in an evolving athletic landscape.

The Williams sisters and the eastern block women that Martina brought to the US escalated doping in tennis to a crazy level. Huge muscle bound women took over the sport. The finesse is gone and it became all about power of serve. The serve in picklyball is not as critical. Almost zero aces. This is one reason pickleball will be better.

It bewilders me why more people have not liked this video. Jeffrey Wigand is a living legend. A man who has created more positive change in the world than just about any other living person, as of 2024.

Thank you for saying you don’t approve…..next. lol

He is saying exactly what JASON WHITLOCK Said and he is telling the TRUTH! People do not like hearing the TRUTH!

This channel should be banned. Do your f-n homework! Gross misrepresentation here

garbage channel

HOW DARE YOU COMPARE DEION WITH TRUMP?!! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S GROSS!! GTFOOH

Haters like you can cry into your beers while washing down your crow pie. There was a lot of dark, under the table dealings, politics, jealousy and back biting that Deion endured at Jackson State that you are not addressing. Hell, any sane coach would have left for greener pastures. Deion went into his own pocket to help bring the athletic facilities up to date. They couldn't account for the missing bonus money that he NEVER got from a percentage of tickets if the game was sold out which the university agreed to, and all of the games were sold out. Thugs broke into Deion's car and office several times. Other HBCU coaches were hating and jealous of Deion and White coaches at major colleges feared he would steer Black players back to the HBCUs where not to long ago, that was the ONLY place Black athletes could attend. George Wallace stood in the door at Alabama and said segregation forever. Then after USC stomped a mudhole in Bama with their Black players, Bama broke down to get some. Now schools with heavy racists histories such as Bama, Ole Miss, Gorgia, LSU, Clemson etc. are mainly Black. The only thing gross to you is that Deion is not at an SEC school being controlled while they benefit from his shine. Go Buffs!.

Obviously this hit job was for the clicks. I am, of course, not subscribing. The glaring problem with your take on Coach Prime leaving Jackson State is your failure and lack of due diligence in referencing the numerous problems prevailing at Jackson State while he was there. These were well detailed for all to see by Coach Prime via his social media channels and by the black press who looked into them. The broken promises, financial shenanigans and obfuscations, leading Coach Prime to also dig into his own pocket to try to fix some of them to benefit the players in some clearly detailed circumstances were all there in the open for any serious journalist to delve into. Coach Prime was not wedded to the job at Jackson State by contract or fealty to the cause. He left when his contract was up. There was so much any reasonable person can take, and he owed a duty of care to his assistant coaches and students he recruited to lead them to a better situation than what he found at Jackson State. He was taken for granted by the administration at Jackson State but the folks at Colorado made him a deal he was obliged to accept and his long suffering coaching staff and students left with him. Without a doubt, not one of them expressed any regrets leaving behind the chaos and disgrace they found at Jackson State.

Oh my gosh. I experienced all the "You may change your mind" [about not having kids] from my 20s into my late 30s (which stopped me from going at all). Now that I'm in my 40s, I STILL haven't changed my mind and I'd love to have Dr. Palmer as a doctor. Wish mine had treated me more seriously. Didn't know there was a doctor this amazing near me.

That would have been something if Anna started playing in 2015.

I agree, pickleball is a ‘silly game for the unathletic’-but let’s be real, the players getting judged are often way more athletic than the ones doing the judging.

Great story Jeanette! Glad you are well - God bless you!

sydney is full of it.

Yes, I know all the taylor ‘s first and last name because I watch CMT making the team for years since 2008

Great interview

Lampley is one of my favorite announcers. He did local news and radio on KMPC as well. His radio show was the best but it only lasted a year or so. Very good on ABC Olympics and with NBC in addition to HBO nationally. I wish he was still broadcasting somewhere. His vocabulary is fantastic.

The show first aired in 2006 and Sydney's years as a DCC were 2008-2014.. dates were wrong.

And there goes any chance to win SB. Dak is a dud. So sick of him.

Rubbish! I can name over 40 cheerleaders. 😊

As for whether or not cheering is a job.... The first year Victoria was in training camp, she was cut just before the end. During their office visit Kelli told Victoria that she needed to treat it like a job, "and I don't think you're ready."

I can name many. First and last name

Aww she was always one of my favorite DCCs to watch!

He talked to Howard Stern about the Bodyguard 2.

Sorry no, ok Box office opening weekend was 11 million plus, and now it's 2nd place. But I'm so glad Horizon was made! Finally GREAT movie a broad perspective in all respects

I love her and yes i knew her last name!!❤

Jaime kevin costner et je suis curieuse de voir les 4parties horison❤zohra zohra

I loved listening to this. I enjoyed Horizon and am definitely “curious” about part 2. I’m sad the box office wasn’t better over opening weekend but I was so amped for it I saw it on opening night! I haven’t done that since my 20’s! It was slow in parts naturally for a movie that’s trying to set things up but it was engaging all the way through for me. I pray we get to see all 4 parts! Costner is an avid Civil War buff and I look forward to his depiction of those years!😊

Mac, thanks for sharing your experience. Now, I'm curious about Horizon!

If you have a concert and Bon Jovi is playing, you put your Rock Star as the headliner, if you want to make money. Also, Caitlin Clark is the best scorer ever in College, that EARNS her a position.

I agree with the decision of the Olympic Committee. .. NBC Sports Network should ask CC to be an analyst for the Olympic games. Have her do interviews

Cool story bruh. Nothing like a man pimping out a woman because she's popular. There were 3+ billion total viewers for the 2020 Olympics. So the world will be watching. China alone has 625mil basketball fans and if half of them tune into watching their team play us then that's the entire population of the US watching one game.

Best take so far that I've listen to, thank you//

Not so sure Caitlin not one of the best 12. The ACES have 4 Olympic players and Phoenix has 3 and both team are 500. Also not sure they lock to win the gold. If 4 Olympic players can't beat Minnesota at home, how they going to beat multiple countries? 😮

CC has better numbers than DT & BG. Enough said!!

time will tell

Griner was a rookie when she got selected, all these top 12 players is BS

The rest of the world is catching up. Caitlin did not go to the workouts. Caitlin does not play effective defense. Caitlin is a turn over liability. Let her get used to the game on this level.

That was short and sweet. Thank you! You sidestepped the argument that she's not the best or the best fit for the team. You're right! This is an exception. They should be looking at how to grow the sport and make it profitable. Washington Post came out with the report that even with Clark, the WNBA still will lose money to the tune of 50 million dollars. How can they not see the need to market her? I wish you were part of the select committee but by being a man with business sense, I think you'll be disqualified.😅

Is comparison to the NBA is laughable because the NBA did not lose money for 27 consecutive years if it had lost money for less than half of that time it would have gone out of business. This dude is an idiot. He also was talking about women's basketball as if the college game is not already exceptionally popular sells up stadiums is on TV all the time. The WNBA and just made themselves completely unlovable.

The idea that the WNBA should embrace this is ridiculous what are you doing is confirming in many people's minds everything they dislike about the WNBA. You have to pay me to watch it now

Play respectable basketball. I don't want to pay high dollars to see an UFC event! Play basketball 🏀

GET A GRIP DUDE. NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE WNBA. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME.

It's all reality 😂😂😂

No one gives a shit about pete’s personal life. EVERYONE cares about his baseball life! Pete was groomed by his dad just like Tiger woods, the Manning sisters, and the Williams sisters

Proud of Tom for taking action.

Robert Kraft let putin steal his ring. Make fun of that too

Yes he did commit the cardinal sin..I'm pissed at him

I would agree with him being inducted into the HOF, if he just didn't do it while still in the MLB..