Former Singapore Judge Embraces Pickleball in Retirement

Choo Han Teck, a retired judge from Singapore, has found a new passion in pickleball after stepping down from the bench. Reflecting on his judicial career, he emphasizes the importance of honesty and compassion in the courtroom. Despite a past injury that sidelined him from tennis, Choo has embraced pickleball, even obtaining coaching certification. His involvement extends to coaching notable athletes and naming a facility after himself. The sport has become a fulfilling part of his post-retirement life, echoing sentiments shared by other athletes like Chris Chelios, who also finds joy and competition in pickleball. Join us as we explore Choo's journey and the growing popularity of this engaging sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 18, 2026, 18:47 IST

A New Chapter in Retirement

Choo Han Teck, who previously served as a judge on the Singapore High Court, has discovered a new passion in his retirement: pickleball. At the age of 72, he reflected on his judicial career and shared insights on what qualities make an effective judge. In a conversation with a media outlet, he emphasized the importance of honesty and compassion, stating that these traits lead to being a good listener and understanding cases thoroughly without personal biases.

Although he was once an avid tennis player, a shoulder injury forced him to step back from the sport. However, his enthusiasm for pickleball has reignited his competitive spirit. Despite not being fond of traveling, he ventured abroad in 2024 to obtain international coaching certification from the Professional Pickleball Registry, a leading organization in the United States. Since then, he has taken on the role of coach for Feng Tianwei, a renowned table tennis player from Singapore.

Choo's involvement with pickleball extends beyond just playing and coaching; he has even lent his name to a facility called Picklechoo Arena, a clever play on his surname and the beloved Pokémon character Pikachu. He humorously remarked about his future plans, saying, “Oh my goodness, the answer was so obvious. You just call it the Apex Court, and when I retire, I'm going (to play) there.”

Pickleball has become a significant part of life after retirement for many, including Hall of Famer Chris Chelios. After retiring from professional hockey, Chelios expressed how pickleball has filled the competitive void in his life. He noted, "You’re always looking for challenges to compete, right? Pickleball has been perfect." Although he hasn't participated in many tournaments yet, he enjoys playing with friends and finds the sport to be a great workout, especially in singles matches.

Chelios, now 63, acknowledged the physical demands of the sport but appreciates the social aspect of playing doubles with friends or family. He shared his determination to prepare for competitions, stating that he would need to practice daily for a few weeks to perform well. Interestingly, he mentioned that his friend, Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, is also a pickleball fan who seeks out courts while on tour.

“He’s fallen in love with it,” Chelios confirmed about Vedder's enthusiasm for the game. “Every chance he gets when he’s on the road, he tries to make it a point to at least be somewhere convenient for him to get to a court.”