MUMBAI, Nov. 19 -- The first time one heard the term 'pickleball' in India, it was buried in a pandemic press release. In Mumbai now, it has become a movement - a booming business, a fitness ritual, and a new social currency. So when Novak Djokovic spoke last year about tennis facing an existential threat, it sounded like a prophecy. "If we don't do something about it, padel and pickleball are going to convert all the tennis clubs into padel and pickleball because it's more financially viable," Djokovic said at Wimbledon 2024 Walk through Mumbai's gymkhanas today, and the former world No.1 might have a point. At Khar Gymkhana, the sharp pop of a perforated plastic ball has replaced the deep thwack of tennis. "We started with one court. Today, we have four outdoors and one indoor - and even that's not enough," said Gaurav Kapadia, club president. "Over 300 members now play pickleball regularly, right from seven-year-olds to eighty. That's because you can learn the basics in two or three games. It's not like tennis, where you need six months before you start enjoying yourself." Bombay Gymkhana, one of Mumbai's oldest institutions built its first padel court last year during its 150th-year celebrations. "If I have to describe the growth in one word: phenomenal," said Joy Kapur, Secretary of Tennis and Padel at the club. "We are waiting for our second court to be built to start coaching because the demand is so high." Across Mumbai's clubs, the numbers told a story of practicality. A single tennis court can be converted into four pickleball courts. The cost of construction including lighting and equipment is around Rs.6-7 lakh per court and takes about a month to complete. Padel requires a bigger investment at Rs.25 lakh per court, but even then, two padel courts can fit into a single tennis court, making the switch appealing for clubs. At the Cricket Club of India (CCI), one court each for pickleball and padel was built to test interest last year. Within months, the demand outgrew supply and the club converted two tennis courts to add four pickleball courts and two more for padel. "There is a rising demand for additional courts," said Madhumati Lele, CCI president. "We have 600 members playing pickleball and 400 playing padel." Even Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana in Santacruz, a smaller club known for its community events, has joined the trend. Two tennis courts there now double up as five pickleball courts. "Every space available is being converted and our courts are always full with players ranging from 14 to 60 years of age" said Joaquim Carvalho, the sports secretary and Olympian. The growth has been staggering. Five years ago, at Khar Gymkhana, tennis had 250 active players and pickleball barely 10. Today, it has around 150 tennis players and 300 pickleball regulars. A similar shift is visible at Bombay Gymkhana. The appeal lies in accessibility. Pickleball and padel doesn't demand elite athleticism or years of training. It's fast, social, and beginner-friendly, traits that suit urban schedules. The heads of the gymkhanas claimed the biggest draw is its inclusivity, as retirees, teenagers, working professionals and complete beginners can all share the same court without feeling outpaced. Pickleball and padel have also reshaped all the clubs' competitive calendars, with Khar Gymkhana also hosting state selection trials last year. Its players dominate India's pickleball rankings: Armaan Bhatia, Harsh Mehta, and Vanshik Kapadia are among the country's top three men. India's top women's player, Naimi Mehta, is also a Khar regular. For the clubs, it's a win-win: new membership, better use of space, and a younger, more diverse sporting community. Tennis still has its loyalists, but as Djokovic warned, tennis courts around the world might one day belong to padel and pickleball. In Mumbai, that future is already here....