From December 9th to 11th, the China Tennis Association successfully hosted the "2023 Skechers National Grand Prix" and the inaugural Pickleball Seminar in Shanghai. Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in Shanghai, despite the city's sudden drop in temperature, drawing significant attention. The 2023 Skechers National Grand Prix transformed LCM's Huixuhui Square into a professional pickleball court, attracting players from across the country to compete fiercely and ultimately determine the champions in men's doubles and mixed doubles. Following the competition, the first Pik Ball Promotion Seminar, spearheaded by the China Tennis Association and organized jointly by the Shanghai Tennis Association and Orange Lion Sports, took place in Shanghai. The seminar aimed to exchange ideas on industry trends and collectively explore the development standards of Pickleball.

As an emerging internet sensation sport, Pickleball, a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, originated in the United States in the 1960s. With its low barrier to entry, quick startup, moderate exercise intensity, and distinct social attributes, it has swiftly become a new favorite among urban youth. Currently, Pickleball is experiencing a nationwide promotion trend characterized by "multi-faceted collaboration and readiness for takeoff." A range of activities, including Pickleball experiences, the introduction of Pickleball into schools, national Pickleball competitions, Piall coach certification, and referee training courses, have followed suit.

At the inaugural Pickleball Promotion Seminar held on December 11th, five teachers—Yang Yong, Chen Enthalpy, Zhang Jun, Liao Wang, and Wang Xiduo—presented five key topics to the attending delegates. These topics included the current development status of Pickleball both domestically and internationally, the promotional activities organized by the China NetEase Association, the CPC Pik Ball tournament system, and the training framework for Pickleball coaches and referees.

Sun Wenbing, Director of the Youth and Mass Tennis Department at the Tennis Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and Deputy Secretary General of the China Tennis Association, remarked that as the national economic level continues to improve and the people's aspirations for a better life intensify, mass sports events and activities are experiencing steady growth. Pickleball, as an emerging sport, has also captured the public's attention. Given its strong foundational similarities with tennis, Pickleball can leverage the strengths of both sports and develop in a harmonious, coordinated manner. The current robust promotion of Pickleball not only boasts witnesses of the evolution of Chinese tennis but also includes "innovators" who are either already involved in or are transitioning to the Pickleball industry. This symbiosis of old and new forces is fully igniting the growth and development of Pickleball.

Yang Yong, the head of Orange Lion Sports, serves as the referee team leader for the tennis event at the Asian Games and has been instrumental in drafting the latest "Rules for Chinese Pickleball Competition." He observed that tennis enthusiasts constitute the most accessible group for initiating Pickleball play. Furthermore, numerous industry professionals who were previously involved in tennis have enthusiastically contributed to the promotion and popularization of Pickleball, particularly by introducing advanced tennis concepts and professional knowledge.

In August of this year, the China Tennis Association, joined forces with 18 collaborating units, including Orange Lion Sports, to establish a sports promotion committee dedicated to Pickleball. Prior to this, the China Tennis Association hosted a Pickleball Referee Training Course at the Ledong Yangpu Sports Activity Center, drawing 20 eager students from across the country to participate. According to Sun Wenbing, with the concerted efforts of all involved parties, the China Tennis Association has issued the latest "Rules for the Competition of Chinese Pickleball." Looking ahead to next year, the association plans to release documents such as "Management Measures for Pickleball Competition Points" and "Management Measures for Pickleball Coaches," aiming to standardize the management and operation of the Pickleball sports industry, thus safeguarding its vibrant growth and development.