Although it has only recently arrived in Vietnam, pickleball - a sport that combines tennis, badminton and table tennis - is attracting more and more players of all ages. The special thing is that many older, middle-aged couples... have found more harmony and attachment to each other through football matches that are both fun and... easily cause "light disruption".
At a sports stadium in Hai Phong City, Mr. Hoang (32 years old) and Ms. Mai (29 years old) are a "golden couple" in the world of grassroots pickleball players. "The days before, we were very sad to walk and didn't talk to each other. Since playing pickleball, every day there has been a story to tell, but it's all about the story on the court: good deals, missed deals, being unjustly scolded...", Ms. Mai said while laughing.
However, being together like that, they cannot avoid " comedic" situations. Once, Ms. Mai accidentally dropped the racket right when Mr. Hoang received the ball, and both lost the match. That night, no one told anyone what they were saying, and the next morning they dragged each other onto the field... to continue playing. "We didn't play together, so we probably argued for a long time. Thanks to this subject, we have resolved everything, Mr. Hoang shared.
At Thanh Dong Ward Sports Center, Mr. Nguyen Van Hau (46 years old) and Ms. Tran Thi Tham (43 years old) are also indispensable "opponents and teammates" of each other every day. They became friends with pickleball from videos circulating on social media.
"I saw people playing well, I came back to borrow a racket to practice. Unexpectedly, he became addicted. Now that he is lazy not to play, the other person stays on the sidelines all night, Mr. Hau laughed. But sometimes, a "half-crying, half-laughing" situation also occurs. "I accidentally hit him in the face, thinking it was okay and getting angry all three days. It was not until later that I had to make my favorite dish, potato cake, before I wanted to talk again, said Ms. Tham.
According to many players, pickleball is a gentle, easy-to-learn sport with few injuries, suitable for older couples. However, because it is easy to play, sometimes... easily causes controversy. Everyone wants to get points, everyone thinks they are right. But after each missed ball, each screaming moment, they laughed together, holding hands to practice.
"If you fight, you can, but if you break up because of pickleball, you won't see anyone yet," Mr. Hoang jokingly said. The couple plays football together, winning or losing is not important. The important thing is to have another reason to go out, mobilize, and above all, accompany each other in a very unique way.
