Where are young, single North Texans? At the pickleball courts

Drive by Cole Park on a weekday evening and you’re likely to see dozens of 20- to 30-year-olds sweating — but vibing — at one of Dallas’ most popular pickleball spots.

In recent years, pickleball has exploded in popularity along with the rise of other paddle and racket sports like tennis. Hello, Zendaya in Challengers, John McEnroe’s narration of the Never Have I Ever series and young stars like Naomi Osaka. So while pickleball was once seen as a sport for seniors, it’s become a way for millennials and Gen Z-ers to decompress and build community.