ESPN sent new mom Aishwarya Kumar on an eight‑day Atlantic coast odyssey to answer what makes a sport American. The journey began at the US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, where food trucks, multigenerational players and a lively pro lounge painted a picture of the game’s fast‑growing appeal.

She chatted with 72‑year‑old Bob Collins, who credits pickleball for shedding 45 pounds, and 25‑year‑old Richard Livornese Jr., who quit his day job to tour the circuit. Their stories highlighted the sport’s accessibility: anyone from retirees to young pros can compete, a rarity in traditional racket games.

The trek continued to Hilton Head, where the RBC Heritage PGA tournament reminded her of golf’s deep American roots. By juxtaposing pickleball’s democratic rise with golf’s storied legacy, Kumar concluded that a sport’s “American‑ness” hinges on inclusivity, community rituals and the ability to evolve across generations.