Pickleball Is for Everyone — Just Ask Toronto United
Pickleball Is for Everyone — Just Ask Toronto United
It started with a challenge.
Ricky Liorti — marathoner, Ironman, fitness buff — stepped onto a pickleball court in Florida with skepticism and a little ego. He walked off two hours later with a bruised ego, a drenched sweater, and a newfound obsession. Fast forward a few years, and he’s the owner and general manager of Toronto United, one of Canada’s first professional pickleball teams.
This is more than a personal story. It’s a snapshot of a national movement — and TSS is proud to be helping build it, one court at a time.
Why Pickleball Works — For Everyone
Ricky Liorti didn’t expect to fall in love with pickleball. In fact, he almost didn’t play.
Fresh off a flight to visit his parents in Florida, dressed in a sweater and track pants, Ricky was waved over to a court by his dad. Just there to say hello, he was approached by an older man who made some small talk — then challenged him to a game. Confident, Ricky accepted.
“I’m a marathon runner. I’ve done an Ironman. I work out seven days a week. I thought, no problem — I’ll crush this guy,” he laughs.
Instead, for two straight hours, Ricky got his butt handed to him by a man more than twice his age. He finally scraped out a win at the end, drenched and stunned.
That’s when it clicked.
“What other sport can I play with an 80-year-old, my overweight dad, and my mom who’s had a double hip replacement — and we’re all sweating, laughing, having fun?”
Pickleball works because it invites everyone in. The court is small. The ball is slow-moving. The paddles are easy to handle. And whether you’re fit or just getting active again, the sport meets you where you are.
Within ten minutes, most people can rally. Within a week, they’re hooked. It’s fast-paced enough to be competitive — yet forgiving enough for every age, ability, and background.
Pickleball doesn’t care who you are. It cares that you’re here.
From Passion to Profession: The Rise of Pro Pickleball
Toronto United competes in the Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL), which now draws hundreds of spectators and broadcast coverage. Ricky describes the evolution as “watching a sport grow up in real-time.” Year one featured part-time athletes and weekend warriors. By year three, many players had gone full-time. The average age of pros dropped to the mid-20s — a sign that pickleball is rapidly becoming a legitimate, aspirational career path.
This isn’t just a game. It’s a sport with momentum, identity, and community.
And it’s a spectator sport, too. Events feature women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles matches — quick-paced, high-skill, and packed with crowd energy. One new tradition Ricky’s team started? Snapping fingers instead of saying “sorry” after a lucky net shot. “No other sport apologizes for scoring,” he laughs. “Why should we?”
The Surface Matters: Why Quality Courts Make a Difference
Pickleball may be an accessible sport, but it’s not surface-agnostic.
That’s a truth Ricky Liorti knows well — and it's one reason he's become, in his own words, a “pickleball court snob.”
“I won’t play unless I’m on a good court,” he says. “And I’m not the only one anymore.”
The difference is night and day. Gym floors with overlapping lines? Confusing and slippery. Painted asphalt? Cracked and uneven. Mall tiles? Unplayable. A great court delivers true bounce, safe traction, visual clarity, and a forgiving feel on the joints — and those details change everything.
That’s why he relies on TSS — not just for Toronto United’s mall events and pop-up exhibitions, but as a trusted partner that can turn any space into a high-performance arena.
“At Sherway Gardens, TSS laid down a full pro-grade court in under two hours. It looked amazing, played perfectly, and held up all weekend with hundreds of people walking past. You can’t get that from paint and tape.”
And it’s not just about pro events. Ricky points out that movement and performance suffer across the board when the court isn’t up to standard — especially for newer players still developing their confidence.
“I’ve seen tennis players with D1 backgrounds light up on a TSS court. They’re sliding, stretching, making impossible saves. You don’t get that on tile or hardwood. You get that on purpose-built surfaces.”
For athletes, it’s about performance. For event organizers, it’s about safety and credibility. For families and communities, it’s about creating a space that people actually want to use.
“When I walk onto a court and say, ‘I bet TSS did this,’ I’m usually right. That’s how good the surface feels under your feet.”
Backyard Courts: A New Hub for Health and Family Life
Pickleball is quickly replacing the backyard pool as the go-to upgrade for active families and retired athletes alike. Ricky’s own family took the plunge — installing a TSS-built court behind their home. The result?
- More activity.
- More connection.
- More life.
“My mom’s had a double hip replacement. My dad’s a bigger guy,” he says. “But they’re out there playing 15,000 steps a day, laughing, inviting friends over. It’s added years to their life — and quality to it.”
Compared to a pool, a pickleball court is less expensive, more versatile, and sees year-round use. For homeowners, it’s a smart, social investment. For communities, it’s an invitation to gather, move, and belong.
The Future of the Game Starts with the Ground Beneath It
Pickleball is not a trend. It’s a movement — one fueled by inclusivity, joy, and surprising athleticism. As Ricky puts it, “We’re living through a sport going from nothing to superstardom. We may not see this kind of growth again in our lifetime.”
TSS is proud to support that journey — from local installations to national stages. Whether you’re a municipality looking to engage your community, or a homeowner reimagining your backyard, TSS offers courts built for play and designed to last.
Because in pickleball — and in life — where you play matters.
Ready to bring pickleball to your community, school, or backyard?
Let TSS help you get started. Contact us for a consultation →