A Visual Journey: Capturing the Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open
APP New York City Open, Queens, New York
Pickleball’s growth over the last half-decade has happened at breakneck speed. Ranked America’s fastest-growing sport for the last three years, pickleball has changed the way people engage with racquet and paddle sports. In NYC, Pickleball is a popular pastime with city dwellers looking to stay fit and get their competitive juices flowing. Impromptu and dedicated courts are set up across the boroughs. Whether you desire to compete on pricey courts with a million-dollar view in Central Park, or on free public courts with even better skyline views at Brooklyn Bridge Park, there’s no shortage of incredible places to play pickleball in New York City. Photographing both professional and amateur pickleball matches here captures the sport's vibrant energy and the diverse community that fuels its rise.
Professional Pickleball
Pickleball’s increase in popularity and visibility has helped it gain traction as a professional sport. A range of top players from across the globe routinely battle it out for cash prizes at several well-attended professional tournaments. The APP (Association of Pickleball Players) launched in 2019 as the world’s first pro-am pickleball tour and has been at the forefront of growing the sport's popularity. They’ve held events in Chicago, Austin, and Newport Beach, and in addition to expanding to NYC, they’re projected to host more than 20 competitive tournaments in 2024, offering participants increased prize money, international sponsorships, and improved television coverage.
Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open
The APP New York City Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
In late May 2024, I ventured to the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis National Center in Flushing, Queens, New York, to photograph the Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open. The USA Pickleball Golden Ticket major event featured AARP and Master division champions and took place from May 21-26. The event drew the world’s best pickleball players to the hallowed grounds of the U.S. Open field courts. The facility was transformed with brilliant pastel decor that was more reminiscent of Miami than NYC. Beautiful blue skies, a cool breeze off nearby Flushing Bay, and the warm rays of the sun created idyllic environs to watch pickleball players battle it out on the modified hard courts.
Outside the on-court action was a bustling area where attendees gathered for shopping and refreshments. Pathways lined with vendors offered everything from yogurt samples and interactive photo booths to the latest pickleball paddles and footwear.
But the main attraction was the competition on the courts. With competitors spanning from their mid-20s to participants in the over-70 division, the wide breadth of ages, sexes, and races illustrated pickleball’s staggering reach.
Another luxury of the event was the ability to see the grounds of the tennis center without the crush of crowds when the U.S. Open takes over the facility in late summer. During these less busy moments, one can appreciate the venue’s immense history and wander around to look into various stadiums, practice courts, and so much more, including hidden gardens and historic memorabilia displays.
Getting There
The USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center is easily accessible via the NYC Subway 7 Train and the LIRR that departs from Grand Central or Penn Station in Manhattan.
Marques Jackson is a professional photographer based in New York City. His work appeared in Playboy, the Evening Standard, Dove Magazine (Italy), Buzzfeed, the New York Post, Time Out New York, USA Today, Thrillist, Dauphine Magazine, and Runner's World.
