Yay or Nay? Top Pro Federico Staksrud Rues Singles Turning Into ‘Mini Tennis’
Pickleball is known for dynamic back-and-forths, creative shot-making, relentless attacks and counter-attacks, and all-out, strategic action. Rallies are unpredictable and exciting, often with an element of surprise and lots of strategising to make use of every kind of shot and every spot of the court.
But for the world’s top pickleball player, Federico Staksrud of Argentina, singles action is becoming less dynamic, more predictable, and maybe less interesting to watch. That’s because in his view, the singles game is turning much like tennis, only on a smaller court.
“Singles pickleball has become mini tennis at this point, there is no point on going to the net of the return,” wrote Staksrud on X. “It was fun back in the day to have cat and mouse rallies and hit drops off thirds. I thought it was a little more interesting to watch. Maybe I’m wrong!”
Staksrud’s post has had over 36,000 views and garnered quite a few reactions. Notably, quite a few agreed with the Argentine’s point, with some even suggesting the singles court to be narrowed as a potential solution. Others, meanwhile, are blaming heavier balls and power paddles.
Fellow pro Zane Navratil, who also hosts PicklePod, also backed up Staksrud, who in January signed a deal with adidas.
“It’s a problem. In doubles, the problem is power, but in singles, I think the problem is topspin. Topspin effectively widens and lengthens the dimensions of the court, making covering passes much more difficult. Singles was more entertaining to watch 3+ years ago,” Navratil wrote while quoting Staksrud’s initial post.
Still, a few called out Staksrud, noting that he wasn’t complaining when his paddles were superior to that of other players. A few rued that the Argentine pro, who is currently ranked no. 1 in both singles and men’s doubles and is no. 4 in mixed doubles, is just sour-graping as he had just lost to 65th-ranked Alexander Crum 11-9, 5-11, 11-6 in Round of 64 action at the PPA Tour Atlanta Pickleball Championships when he posted his supposed observation.
So, what do you think? Is Staksrud right or wrong? Or is the answer somewhere in the middle?
