That Sudden “Pop” on the Pickleball Court: Achilles Tendon Rupture and Why Older Beginners Get Hit the Hardest

Pickleball has exploded in popularity, especially among adults in their fifties, sixties, and seventies. Large surveys report average player ages around the early sixties, with many players describing themselves as recreational or casual rather than highly trained athletes.^[1,2,3]

At the same time, doctors are seeing a sharp rise in Achilles tendon ruptures linked specifically to pickleball, often in older adults who are new to the game. A recent study on pickleball Achilles tendon rupture found:

• Average age around 64 years
• Sixty-eight percent of players ruptured the tendon within the first month of playing
• About one-third tore the tendon during their very first time on court^[4]

Other analyses and hospital reports warn that lower extremity tendon injuries, particularly Achilles tendon tears, are appearing in older pickleball players at what some clinicians call “epidemic proportions.”^[1,5,6]

So why exactly are older beginners such a high-risk group? To answer that, we first need to understand the Achilles tendon and what happens when it fails.

The Achilles tendon is the thick cord at the back of the ankle connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. It allows you to push off the ground when you walk, climb stairs, jump, or sprint.^[7,8]

An Achilles tendon rupture is a tear of this tendon, often occurring a few centimetres above the heel in a relatively weak, low-blood-supply zone.^[7,9]

Typical features of an acute rupture include:

• A sudden “pop” or snapping sensation at the back of the ankle
• Feeling like you were kicked or hit in the back of the leg
• Sharp pain followed by difficulty walking or pushing off
• Weakness or inability to stand on tiptoes on that side
• Swelling and tenderness over the lower calf or heel^[8,10,11]

Achilles tendon rupture is the most common major tendon rupture in the lower limb and historically peaks in adults between 30 and 50 years. However, recent data show a rising incidence in older age groups, particularly men in their sixties participating in recreational sports.^[8,12,13]

Doctors frequently describe the typical patient as a “weekend warrior”: someone who does not train regularly but suddenly performs high-intensity activity such as sprinting, jumping, or lunging on a deconditioned tendon.^[9,11,14]

Pickleball provides a perfect environment for this scenario.

On paper, pickleball looks gentle: smaller court, lighter paddle, perforated plastic ball. In reality, for the Achilles tendon, it is a high-demand, stop-start sport that involves:

• Frequent short sprints
• Sudden forward lunges to the net
• Quick side-to-side shuffles and pivots
• Abrupt decelerations and changes in direction

Recent epidemiological work shows that in pickleball players, lower extremity injuries are very common, and muscle and tendon problems make up a large proportion of all injuries.^[2,3,15,16]

Hard court surfaces add extra stress: there is minimal shock absorption, so the force of every push-off and landing travels straight up through the foot, Achilles tendon, and calf.

For a strong, well-conditioned tendon this is manageable. For a deconditioned, aging Achilles tendon, that combination of sudden acceleration, hard surface, and repetition can be enough to cause a tear.

As we age, tendons naturally undergo structural and biological changes:

• Collagen fibres lose some of their organised alignment
• Blood supply to the tendon mid-portion is limited
• Microscopic degenerative changes accumulate over years

Studies suggest that age over about 45 is a predisposing factor for Achilles tendon injury, even though classic sports ruptures historically peaked around 30 to 40.^[13,17,18]

In older adults, ruptures often happen when an already degenerating tendon is suddenly exposed to high mechanical stress — exactly what occurs when a relatively sedentary person jumps enthusiastically into pickleball several times per week.

Many new pickleball players in their fifties, sixties and beyond:

• Have not done high-intensity sport for years
• Spend long hours sitting for work or retirement hobbies
• Have weak calves, stiff ankles, and reduced cardiovascular fitness

Epidemiological data show that Achilles tendon ruptures are particularly common in recreational athletes who only exercise occasionally, rather than in continuously trained, elite athletes.^[9,13,19]

When such a player suddenly launches into fast dashes, explosive pushes to reach a drop shot, or repetitive games without adequate rest, the tendon load jumps far beyond what their tissue is ready for.

Older adults are more likely to have health issues and medications that weaken tendon tissue, such as:

• Systemic corticosteroid use
• Prior steroid injections around the Achilles tendon
• Certain antibiotics, particularly fluoroquinolones
• Metabolic conditions, including diabetes and elevated cholesterol

Clinical reviews note that these factors are associated with increased Achilles tendon rupture risk, especially when combined with sudden physical exertion.^[9,13,20]

An older beginner on such medications may have a tendon that is both structurally compromised and under-trained.

Pickleball is heavily marketed as easy, social, and suitable for older adults who cannot tolerate running or high-impact sports. This is partly true, but it can create a false sense of security.

Several hospital systems and sports medicine centres have reported sharp rises in Achilles tendon tears specifically from pickleball, emphasising that many injuries occur in enthusiastic older beginners who push hard from the first day.^[1,5,6]

Many players:

• Do not warm up properly
• Do not gradually build up court time or intensity
• Wear walking shoes instead of court shoes
• Play on consecutive days despite soreness

Put together, this is a perfect storm for the Achilles tendon.

The return-to-sport study on pickleball Achilles tendon ruptures paints a clear picture: average age nearly 64, with most injuries occurring in the first month of play and one-third during the very first session.^[4]

Other analyses of pickleball injuries also highlight that:

• The majority of injuries occur in players over fifty
• Lower extremity muscle and tendon injuries feature prominently
• Tournament play and higher playing frequency are additional risk factors^[2,3,15,16]

In other words, older adults who are new to the game and suddenly increase intensity are the ideal candidates for Achilles tendon rupture.

The story many players tell sounds similar:

“I had just started playing pickleball with friends. I lunged forward to reach a short ball and felt a loud pop at the back of my ankle. I thought someone had hit me with a paddle, but when I looked back, nobody was there.”

This matches classic descriptions of Achilles tendon rupture: sudden push-off, immediate “pop” or “snap,” and a sensation like being kicked or hit.^[8,10,11]

Because pickleball involves many quick lunges and short sprints, especially towards the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”), it is easy to overstress the tendon during such moves, particularly if the calf was not warmed up and the tendon was already weakened.

Not all posterior ankle or calf pain after pickleball is a rupture. It helps to know the differences.

Achilles tendon rupture

• Sudden pop, snap, or kick-like sensation
• Immediate difficulty walking or pushing off
• Visible or palpable gap in the tendon in some cases
• Weakness standing on tiptoe
• Often needs urgent medical attention

Calf muscle strain

• Sharp pain in the muscle belly higher up the leg
• Often from overstretching or sprinting
• You can usually still point your toes, though it may hurt
• Less dramatic loss of push-off power compared to a rupture

Achilles tendinopathy (chronic tendon pain)

• Gradual onset stiffness and pain, especially first thing in the morning
• Pain that eases after warm-up then returns with overuse
• Thickening or tenderness along the Achilles tendon
• Often precedes a rupture if not managed properly^[13,21]

If you suspect a rupture, it is safer to treat it as an emergency and seek immediate evaluation.

A doctor or sports physician will examine:

• The location of tenderness and any gap in the tendon
• Ability to point the foot downward against resistance
• The Thompson test, where squeezing the calf should normally cause the foot to move; absence of movement suggests a rupture^[8,10]

In many cases, the diagnosis is clinical, but imaging may be used to confirm:

• Ultrasound to visualise the tear and degree of tendon separation
• Magnetic resonance imaging if the diagnosis is uncertain or surgical planning is needed

Both surgical repair and functional non-operative treatment (using casts or boots with early mobilisation) can lead to good outcomes. The choice depends on factors such as:

• Age and health status
• Gap between tendon ends
• Activity level and goals (for example, desire to return to competitive play)

Reviews note that modern non-operative protocols with early movement can produce rerupture rates and functional results comparable to surgery in many patients, though some younger, highly active athletes may still be steered towards operative repair.^[8,9,12]

Recovery is a long journey, often taking nine to twelve months to reach pre-injury levels. Studies of pickleball-related Achilles tendon ruptures show that many players do eventually return to the sport, but often after substantial rehabilitation and with some lingering limitations in calf strength and endurance.^[4,22]

Key rehab steps include:

• Protected weight-bearing in a boot
• Gradual increase in range of motion
• Progressive calf strengthening (including heavy slow resistance)
• Balance and plyometric training before returning to sport

A carefully supervised rehabilitation plan, ideally with a physiotherapist familiar with sports tendon injuries, is essential.

The goal is not to scare older adults away from pickleball. The sport has many proven benefits for cardiovascular fitness, social connection, and mental health.^[3,15]

Instead, the focus should be on smart, tendon-friendly habits, especially during the first weeks and months.

Before ramping up court time:

• Walk daily and include a few short hills if safe for you.
• Do simple double-leg calf raises at home, progressing to single-leg as tolerated.
• Add seated calf raises to strengthen the soleus muscle, which is heavily involved in endurance activities.

This builds baseline tendon capacity before you ask it to survive repeated pickleball sessions.

A good warm-up takes five to ten minutes and should include:

• Light jogging or brisk walking
• Dynamic ankle movements (ankle circles, heel-to-toe walks)
• Gradual calf raises and gentle bouncing or mini hops
• Some sideways and forward shuffles at low speed

Warming up increases tendon elasticity and prepares the neuromuscular system for rapid movements.

Given that most pickleball Achilles tendon ruptures in one study occurred within the first month of play, older beginners should treat this period as a “build-up” phase.^[4]

Practical tips:

• Limit frequency initially (for example, two days per week rather than daily).
• Start with shorter games and more breaks.
• Prefer doubles before committing to the higher running demands of singles.
• Avoid playing “just one more game” when your calves already feel fatigued or tight.

• Wear court shoes with good heel support and grip, not running shoes or casual sneakers.
• Avoid backpedalling; instead, turn and run or shuffle sideways to reach deep balls.
• Work on smaller, quicker steps rather than overstretching with giant lunges.

Coaches and sports medicine doctors frequently highlight poor footwork and inappropriate shoes as key contributors to lower extremity injuries in pickleball.^[5,10,16]

Do not ignore:

• Morning stiffness in the Achilles tendon
• Tenderness when you squeeze the tendon
• Pain at the start of play that improves but returns afterwards

These are classic signs of Achilles tendinopathy, which significantly raises the risk of a full rupture if load is not adjusted.^[13,21]

If you notice these symptoms:

• Reduce volume and intensity (shorter sessions, fewer days).
• Add targeted calf strengthening and eccentric exercises under professional guidance.
• Consider an assessment by a sports physician or physiotherapist.

If you are taking systemic corticosteroids, have had steroid injections near the Achilles tendon, or are on antibiotics known to affect tendons, discuss your pickleball plans with your doctor. They may advise more cautious progression or closer monitoring.^[9,20]

Likewise, if you have diabetes, significant obesity, or vascular disease, a pre-participation medical check can help identify additional risk factors.

Stop playing and seek immediate care (emergency department or urgent sports clinic) if:

• You feel a sudden pop at the back of the ankle
• You cannot push off or walk normally
• The calf or heel area becomes rapidly swollen and painful

Early diagnosis and treatment of Achilles tendon rupture improve the chances of good recovery and reduce complications. Even if the pain eases quickly, do not assume it is just a minor strain.

• Pickleball Achilles tendon rupture is increasing, especially among older recreational players.
• Studies show that many pickleball-related Achilles tendon ruptures occur in beginners, often within the first month of playing and sometimes on the very first day.^[4]
• Aging tendons, deconditioning, medications, and the “weekend warrior” lifestyle combine with the quick, explosive movements of pickleball to create a high-risk environment for the Achilles tendon.
• Smart strategies – pre-season calf conditioning, gradual progression, proper warm-ups, good footwear, and attention to early tendon symptoms – can dramatically cut the risk.
• If a rupture does occur, modern treatment and structured rehabilitation allow many players to return to pickleball, but recovery usually takes many months.

For older adults, the message is not “do not play pickleball,” but rather “train your body for pickleball before pickleball trains your body the hard way.”

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