A movable eight-court pickleball arena at the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal aims to become the new go-to haunt for enthusiasts and professionals alike
Players in action on the new pickleball courts in the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal. PICS/ASHISH RAJE
We wouldn’t be exaggerating if we said everyone and their grandma has hopped on the pickleball trend in the past year. The age-neutral, easygoing sport has roped in celebrities, working professionals, teenagers and senior citizens by the dozen to the courts that have mushroomed in the city. Like most things in Mumbai, a game of pickleball is better when it comes with a sea view, reckons Abhineet Aggarwal, founder of NautiPickle, the recently-opened eight-court arena in the Ballard Pier complex.
Patrons grab a quick bite and socialise between games
“It’s true that the pickleball arenas are multiplying prolifically in the city. But given the space jam in Mumbai, most of them are cramped in small areas. As a result, many talented players in the city find it hard to push themselves to their full potential. I wanted to bring a world-class experience to the city,” shares Aggarwal, who is also an amateur pickleball player. The courts are standard size 3.1 mm rollable floors that ensure no dead bounce spots, and racquets and balls are provided to the players on demand, we’re told.
A view of the sea from the venue
Having visited sport turfs across the city, our sessions have usually ended with catching up with teammates on scooters parked outside venues. “The view from the terminal here is way too scenic to leave behind after a game,” says Aggarwal. A socialising area with seating allows players to lounge and soak in the naturally lit ambience for as long as they wish. While the hourly prices to book a court might be steep for young players on a budget, we can see why older enthusiasts would pay the premium.
Among familiar names that have already opted in, is the talk of town — Jimmy Boy. After the iconic Parsi café faced an untimely closure a few months short of its 100th anniversary, director of operations Shehzad Irani had promised mid-day readers that the setback was temporary. At the arena, Jimmy Boy will now serve its iconic baked goodies alongside pop-ups with healthy picks like salads and smoothies.
The spacious hall hosts eight rollable pickleball courts
Docked at the newly-opened cruise terminal for 45 days, the arena is set to move to its next pitstop in South Mumbai on August 25. “Given the monsoon, and the waning holiday season, it was the right time to kick off our operations at the indoor, roofed venue. You can actually see ships navigating the Arabian Sea’s mighty waves as you play. We’re still weighing our options for the next destination,” Aggarwal explains.
Abhineet Aggarwal and Aditi Kotak
Aditi Kotak, director, The Ballard Pier, calls the decision to host the courts a part of the pier-side development of the city. “We’re working on making the pier a space where Mumbaikars can come witness the beauty of the seas. A seaside park on the south end of the pier is on the cards, and will soon open to the general public,” she reveals.
TILL August 25; 6 am to 2 am
AT The Ballard Pier, Ballard Estate, Fort.
LOG ON TO @nautipickle_tbp
ENTRY Rs 3500 (one-hour slot, per court)
Take your pick
Keep the ball rolling at these open-to-all, roofed pickleball courts across Mumbai
>> Pickle Partners
AT Krishnaraj Society, Teen Batti, Walkeshwar.
TIME 7 am to 11 pm
LOG ON TO hudle.in
ENTRY Rs 600 (per hour)
>> Padel 360
AT Oricon Enterprises Ltd, Dr. E Moses Road, Worli.
TIME 6 am to 2 am
LOG ON TO @padel360_p3
ENTRY Rs 1650 (per hour)
>> Maks Pickleball
AT Next to Starbucks, Poonam Garden, Mira Road East. TIME Open 24 hours
LOG ON TO khelomore.com
ENTRY Rs 250 onward (per hour)
>> Torba Pickleball
AT St Anne’s Basement, Nargis Dutt Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West.
TIME 6 am to 11 pm
LOG ON TO hudle.in
ENTRY Rs 300 onwards (per hour)
>> Globalsports Pickleball
AT Stellar World School, Motilal Nagar, Goregaon West.
TIME 6 am to 10.30 pm
LOG ON TO @globalsports_pickleball
ENTRY Rs 600 (per hour)
>> Picklehaus
AT Oswal House, above Oswal Supermarket, Sevaram Lalwani Road, Mulund West.
TIME Open 24 hours
LOG ON TO @picklehaus.mumbai
ENTRY Rs 325 (per hour)
>> Acers Sports
AT Akshay Commercial Complex, Palaspa, Panvel.
TIME Open 24 hours
LOG ON TO hudle.in
ENTRY Rs 250
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