Hi Julian,
Along with the arthritic pain, I lost my ability to raise my right arm high enough for daily tasks like shampooing, combing, using a hair dryer, and could no longer safely carry a cast iron pan or pot of coffee with my right hand alone. A couple of years earlier, I developed a mysterious frozen shoulder - without pain - and with PT got back about 80% of my range of motion. But this time the narrow range of motion was accompanied by that constant nagging arthritic ache. When I had an episode of more intense pain over several days, I decided to opt for the surgery, which my ortho doctor had prescribed for me for bone on bone about a year earlier. I had MRI and CT scans to determine the condition of surrounding tissues, and my rotator cuff was borderline frayed. Dr said I might still have a traditional TSR but he could not guarantee long term good results with that rotator cuff. Since I did not want to go through surgery twice, I agreed with him that a reverse was the better option. Reverse recovery is also faster by a few weeks, because you don't have to wait for the rotator cuff muscles to heal (parts are removed) so you can start PT earlier.
You mentioned the sports you like, and I'm not sure how getting back to quick arm movements and the aim needed for forehand tennis and pickle ball will work without the rotator cuff. Hopefully someone else who has had a successful reverse can speak to that. Personally, I feel I have the range of motion, but not the final quick "pop" needed for good aim, but then again I do not play, so don't know if that could improve with other training.
If you still have a good range of motion and enjoy these kinds of sports, I would hold off on surgery as long as you can, even with a regular TSR you will need many months to fully heal the rotator cuff muscles.