We may love pickleball, but we can also hate some of the things that come along with it. And because it is America’s fastest-growing sport, there are a lot of players who bring a new set of pet peeves to the court. 

Here are some of pickleball’s biggest pet peeves from the Pickleball Facebook Forum. 

“Tennis elbow,” said Troy Molde. 

Tennis elbow is justifiably the worst injury ever because it will literally take you out of your pickleball game for at least nine months. Here are some tips to manage it.

“People obsessing over their DUPR scores,” said Steph Delrio.

Okay, but how else am I supposed to prove my game is actually improving if I don’t obsess and brag about my DUPR?

“The bounce serve,” said Wendy Wills. 

Okay, but we all have to start somewhere, right? Unfortunately, we all can’t have a power serve like Dekel Bar. 

“Tapping paddles mid match,” said James Woods. 

How often should you tap paddles? Click here to find out. 

“People who are militaristic about illegal serves, foot faults, etc. in rec play. Let it go and let it be,” said Robert Alexander Wray. 

There are some people who don’t take rec play too seriously. After all, there are no refs, and no gold medal at stake, so if there’s a foot fault, oh well. But other players feel the opposite, that if they are showing up to the court, they’re going to play it right no matter the case. 

“The dreaded podium picture with the paddle awkwardly posed behind the medal,” said Jamie Heim. 

Okay, but how else are we supposed to pose? It’s the go-to pose for a reason. And you’re really going to tell me that these kiddos don’t look so cute with the classic podium pose?

“Skill levels mismatched during rec open play,” said Jason Jackson. 

Well, that’s just the nature of open play, isn’t it? 

“People who want to coach during a game,” said James Rivera. 

There can be nothing more frustrating than when a player on your court insists on coaching during a match, especially when they weren’t asked to. Here’s some advice on how to handle it. 

“When someone bounces the ball 10 times before they serve,” said Sheri Zimmermann.

Oh, Sheri, how you get me. My favorite mixed partner always bounces the ball at least seven times before he serves, but it’s one of those things I must let go. 

“People talking between serves, let’s play,” said Lori Thomas.

Nothing grinds my gears more than too much chatter when my head is in the game. Here are some ways to help alleviate the cour talk. 

Want more pickleball pet peeves? Check out Park 1. Any pet peeves we missed? Leave us a comment on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).