San Francisco has opened its first courts solely for pickleball,  a blend of tennis, badminton and ping pong that has been called the fastest growing senior sport in the United States.

San Francisco pickleball enthusiasts have been angling for dedicated courts for some time. Although there are a number of courts around the city where people can play, they are shared with tennis players. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department recently resurfaced two tennis courts at the Crocker Amazon sports complex to be used for pickleball and volleyball – serving both the young and older populations.

This time they completely converted two under-utilized tennis courts at Louis Sutter Park, off University Avenue in the northwest corner of McClaren Park.

“We’re really crowded on Saturdays and Sundays,” said Wellington Chen, who lives near the courts and is locally known as Mr. Pickleball for his ardent advocacy of the game. “The more experienced players use the courts from 7 a.m. to noon; beginners come in the afternoon when instruction is available.”

Freddie Nadarisay, now president of the Golden Gate Pickleball Club, encourages newcomers to visit the courts.“We have racquets and people here to teach you. It’s hard work, but a really awesome sport.”