CLEVELAND — Robert Golsmith spent the majority of his life in love with tennis.

What You Need To Know

  • Pickleball has been around since the 1960s

  • It's a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton

  • Many call it the fastest growing sport in America

  • Robert Golsmith recently took home the bronze medal in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships

“I had aspirations of becoming a tennis professional as a youngster . . . and at about age 16 I realized that I didn’t quite have it to make it as a tennis professional," he said.

So for more than 35 years, Golsmith has taught tennis to future professionals, but when someone asked him to join in on their game of Pickleball . . . he was hooked.

“I swear about after the second ball . . . I was sold on the sport,” he said.

Pickleball isn't new. The sport has been around since the 1960s.

“It’s a very easy game to pick up," Golsmith said.

Think of it as a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton.

“But in my opinion, it’s a heck of a lot more fun,” Goldsmith added.

That's why it's taking off. In fact, many call it the fastest growing sport in America.

Golsmith looked around the tennis courts at the Wembley Club in Chagrin Falls, now covered with pickleball courts and said: “As you can see, the age range here is anywhere from teenager to probably 60 years old.”

Goldsmith has only been playing pickleball for two years. But he's already having success.

He recently took home the bronze medal in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships.

“Well, you never go with the attitude that you’re gonna lose. I’ll tell ya what. I wouldn’t bet against me,” he said.

Now, decades later, Golsmith's dream of going pro is back in play.

“I know I may not look it . . . But I’m over the age of 50. And pickleball, unfortunately, calls those of us over the age of 50 'seniors.'”

In the meantime, it's safe to say there's a new love in his life.

“Gosh, it makes you feel so good and so young and just having a lot of fun playing . . . It’s a great sport.”