COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The first Women's Open for a growing sport will be held in Columbus this weekend.
Despite being around for decades, pickleball has seen a recent spike in popularity. Shannon Dan of the Association of Pickleball Players said its research has found participation has increased by over 10 million since 2020.
"The sport as a whole has really exploded," Dan said. "It was actually founded as a sport in the 60s, but really it wasn't until around the early 2020s, around the pandemic frankly, that we really saw exponential growth and participation in the sport."
Columbus is the host of the the association's first Women's Open. Ohio State's James Cancer Hospital is the title sponsor and has entered into a multiyear agreement for it to take place here.
The event will be at Pickle and Chill at 880 W. Henderson Road, which is the largest pickleball facility in the Midwest, according to its website. Play will run Friday through Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Dan said the best time to attend is Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m., when the gold medal matches are scheduled.
Although this is its first Women's Open, the APP has been around since it was founded by tennis coach Ken Herrmann in 2019. Dan said the APP has helped drive the growth of pickleball.
"There is definitely an appetite for tournament play and for participation in the APP tour," Dan said.
Although registration is closed, the tournament is allowing attendees to play. The professional side of the Women's Open is the main event, but a tournament for amateurs is being held, too.
Only women are eligible enter. That's because the APP is working to get more young women interested in the sport. A group of 100 high school and college-age girls are being invited to attend in an effort to introduce them to pickleball and what Dan said were its social, physical and mental benefits.
Pickleball is one of the most equal sports across genders, according to Dan. Previously having worked for the WNBA, she said its growth feels similar to the early days of women's professional basketball.
"Part of the beauty of pickleball, and frankly, even one of the reasons I got involved on the business side of the sport is that it has been truly equitable from its inception," Dan said. "Women play side by side with men, get equal exposure, equal pay, equal opportunity. It really brings that to the forefront and elevates women even more."
