While playing pickleball has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks.

The court can be a great place for socializing and sparking potential love connections, but unsolicited and unwarranted flirting is problematic.

Sometimes, you really JUST want to enjoy America's fastest-growing sport without being hit on.

Enter a TikTok video by user @Almezzzy, who was approached by a guy while playing pickleball with a friend.

“I just have one crazy question. What is this?” he asked.

The woman is immediately confused since it’s kind of obvious, right?. They’re literally standing on a court with paddles in hand. 

“What do you mean, 'What is this?'” she replied.

“Like, what are you guys doing?” he asked again.

The woman is puzzled and simply gestures at the court. 

“No sh*t, Sherlock! But is it like a club?” he said.

I’m actually very impressed with how @Almezzzy remained very calm because my women’s doubles partner would’ve hit back with the most perfect verbal counterattack.

The comment section in this video is incredibly divided. Some criticized the woman for being rude to a guy for innocently asking a question. Others suspect he was trying to flirt, which is when I added creating a “Pickleball Flirt Guide” to my to-do list.

If this is how this man thinks he could woo a potential mixed partner, he needs to re-evaluate his strategy. 

After the pushback from commenters, she posted the full conversation in a second video. 

“You guys dressed the part. Are you like the best here?” He then asked about her heritage, and as a woman watching this, it’s clear to me that he’s grasping at straws to get some kind of positive reaction - which, of course, he doesn't receive and eventually leaves the two women alone to continue their game. 

Here’s the thing. It’s annoying when your're interrupted, whether it’s because a ball from the next court rolls into yours or because someone is flirting.

So, what he should have done first was wait until they took a water break. 

His opening line is also deeply uninspired. 

“What’re you doing?”

Bro, isn’t it obvious? 

If you’re going to interrupt their game, at least deliver a good opener. 

Worse yet, doubling down and cursing at her isn't appealing at all. Is chivalry really that dead?

Sure, there’s the idea that “boys are mean to girls because they like them,” but didn’t we leave that in elementary school? These people are in their 20s and 30s, so speak and flirt like a grown adult. 

If you want to strike up a conversation, then do it. But, be normal about it. I could think of at least 10 better lines that wouldn’t instantly make these girls feel uncomfortable. Talk about pickleball, compliment her serve, anything.  

Using “Hey, can I play next game?” is even better than the ineffective frat boy flirting of “What is this?”

So, here’s the takeaway: If you want to flirt, start with a normal conversation and leave the flirting and trash talking when you’re actually playing a game. And definitely don’t interrupt her pickleball game. She might be filming you, and you'll quickly become a villain on pickleball TikTok. 

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