Local player Lisa Zak had never picked up a racket sport before moving to the community. Now, it’s a central part of her life, with games built into her everyday schedule.

“Pickleball is huge here. It’s 7 o’clock in the morning and all these people are playing pickleball. And the courts are pretty full, morning to dusk,” said Zak. “Except in the summer during lunch hours, that’s the one time of year where there’s not a lot of people because it’s so hot. But the courts are always full.”

The numbers back it up. The Villages is home to roughly 100 recreation centers and 250 pickleball courts, with multiple courts in nearly every neighborhood. Equipment is readily available too, as residents can borrow paddles and balls on-site, lowering the barrier to entry for anyone curious about the sport.

Despite working full time, Zak still finds a way to make pickleball part of her routine.

“Every night after work, I go out and play pickleball. The courts are always busy,” she mentioned. “There’s so many sports and clubs here to get involved with, but pickleball is one of the most popular.”

Another devoted player, Corey Bischke, was first introduced to pickleball in Wisconsin back in 2015. But it wasn’t until he relocated to The Villages that he truly saw how expansive the sport could be within a community.

“When I first moved here, I went to all the different open plays in the community. It was a great way to meet people, get connected, and make friends. It’s cool because there’s groups who started playing together because they’re at the same level,” said Bischke. “Then it became a social group where they all get together after. They started as players on the court, and then became friends off the court. We even had a Friendsgiving last year.”

So, how competitive does pickleball really get in The Villages?

According to Bischke, it all depends on what you’re looking for.

“It can be as competitive as you want it to be. Some courts have better players who are more competitive, and others have the more casual players,” he said. “It’s really about going to all the different courts and finding what group works best with you.”

That flexibility is part of what makes the sport so appealing within the community. Whether players are chasing high-level competition or simply looking for a fun way to stay active, there’s a place for everyone.

For Bischke, Zak, and countless others, pickleball offers the ideal balance of movement, connection, and friendly competition during this stage of life.

“Pickleball is great for me because it’s helped me try and stay young and keep moving,” said Bischke. “It’s a blessing to be able to get off the couch, move your body, and play a game with friends, so I try to go into games with that mindset.”

Of course, the lifestyle isn’t without its minor drawbacks, especially for those still in the workforce.

“The only downside is that most people are retired and I’m still working,” said Bischke. “So sometimes I have to drive by the courts and see everyone playing while I go to work.”

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