Think Pickleball Is a Solo Sport? Doubles Will Change Your Mind

When people first hear about pickleball, they often picture a fast-paced singles showdown, much like tennis. But spend some time around any court, and you’ll quickly realize doubles is where the magic really happens.

Doubles isn’t just the most popular format of pickleball. It’s the version that brings out the sport’s unique mix of strategy, teamwork, and personality. Here’s why doubles are the beating heart of pickleball.

1. Less Running, More Strategy

Singles are a grind. It’s fast, physical, and demands endless stamina. Doubles, on the other hand, shifts the focus.

• Instead of covering the entire court, you share the space.
• It’s about angles, anticipation, and setting up your partner.
• Success comes not from being the fastest, but from being the smartest.
  
  

That’s why doubles is often more inclusive, you don’t need to be the fittest person on court to be effective.

2. Chemistry Wins Championships

If you’ve ever played doubles, you know that not all partnerships are created equal. The best teams almost seem to read each other’s minds.

• Communication is key with knowing when to switch, when to let your partner take a shot, and when to step in.
• Trust is everything. When your partner knows your strengths (and weaknesses), they can cover you, and vice versa.
• Over time, this becomes instinctive as a natural flow that makes rallies feel effortless.
• It’s no coincidence that some of the world’s top pairs have been together for years.

3. The Emotional Rollercoaster

Here’s the thing about doubles: it’s not just a physical game, it’s an emotional one. When the match is tight, the intensity can skyrocket.

From the outside, it might look like a player is scolding their partner. In reality, most of the time, they’re scolding themselves. That’s the beauty of doubles it forces you to manage not only your shots but your emotions, too.

Great partners encourage. They pick each other up after mistakes. And that resilience is often what wins the deciding point at 9–9.

4. The Technical Beauty of Doubles

Doubles is where pickleball’s unique style shines.

• The soft game dinks, resets, and drop shots set the stage.
• The kitchen line battles bring lightning-fast reflexes into play.
• In mixed doubles, strategy shifts again, with different shot placements and roles.
  
  

It’s less about brute force and more about tactical chess at high speed.

5. Why Most Players End Up in Doubles

For many, the choice is simple:

• Longevity: Doubles are easier on the body than singles.
• Community: Winning and losing is shared because it’s social, it’s fun, and it builds friendships.
• Accessibility: Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, doubles have a place for you.
  
  

That’s why even players who start out loving singles eventually fall in love with doubles.

Doubles is more than just a format. It’s the reason pickleball is exploding worldwide. It combines teamwork, strategy, intensity, and joy in a way that few other sports can match. Whether you’re 20 or 60, doubles is where you’ll find the true heartbeat of pickleball.


Photos by @cfongraphy