My Pickleball Journey - Pickleball Rookie

Rediscovering Tennis After Years Of Pickleball

September 12, 2024 by Drew Pierce

For four decades, tennis was my jam. I’d pick up a racquet a handful of times each year, and enjoy the muscle memory established as a kid.

It wasn’t a serious commitment, but it was a constant in my life—until it wasn’t.

Two years ago, I discovered pickleball.

Like many others, I was seduced by the game’s rapid-fire game-play, social atmosphere, total inclusion, and ease on my body when compared to tennis.

Before I knew it, tennis faded into the background, and pickleball became The Choice.

For over two years, I didn’t touch a tennis racquet. Not once.

I reveled in the quick reflexes and strategic positioning that pickleball demanded. And I figured I was still maintaining my “racquet sports skills,” albeit on a smaller scale.

Boy, was I wrong.

How to Move From a 3.5 to 4.0 Pickleball Rating

March 11, 2024 by Drew Pierce

It’s a common refrain throughout pickleball, advancing from a 3. 5 to a 4.0 pickleball rating.

While many folks, including yours truly, can consistently win games at local open play sessions against other 3.5 players, we struggle to take that next step up. But there are a few paths you can follow to get your game over the hump. Here’s a look at some of the keys that helped propel my progression.

When Pickleball Frustration Turns Into a Paddle Smash

February 29, 2024 by Drew Pierce

I threw my pickleball paddle.

Like an impetuous little cry baby, I tossed it into an empty bench.

It soared like a Frisbee, garnering several audible gasps from surrounding players.

I tell you this not because I am proud but because days later, I’m still embarrassed.

The catalyst? I went one and six in games against lateral competition and I couldn’t point to a single reason why. I reverted back to that 14-year-old boy who once smashed a tennis racket against the tree. But that was a hormonal rage brought on by girl trouble.

Decades later, and a much more mellow dude, there is no excuse for my pickleball frustration to be left on the court.

When Your Pickleball Tournament Does Not Go As Expected

December 21, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Approaching Nassau Coliseum to play the Rip It Winter Invitational Pickleball Tournament felt like something special.

And then I entered the building, and reality set in.

I walked through a metal detector.

Was shown the makeshift concrete courts in the basement.

Endured start-time delays.

Not to mention the crazy distracting fire alarm that went off mid-match.

Let’s just say it was a learning experience. 🙂

Pickleball Is My “Third Place”

November 30, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball players tend to fall hard for the sport.

The path to addiction is so quick that friends and families are often caught off guard.

There’s a reason many of us often hear, “Pickleball, again?!”

And it’s not said in the nicest of tones.

Well, I’m not sure about you, but it occurred to me recently that pickleball is my “third place.”

Pickleball Journey: Lessons From My Latest Tournament

November 29, 2023November 20, 2023 by Drew Pierce

I played in a Thanksgiving pickleball tournament last night. It was my first tournament in months, and I had a nervous energy pulsing through me as I approached the facility.

My teammate and I were ready to give it our all.

And we came out hot.

We won our first six games with confidence and steady gameplay, advancing to the finals.

Then everything changed in an instant.

How Long Does it Take to Get Good at Pickleball?

August 7, 2023May 30, 2023 by Drew Pierce

One year ago, I stepped onto the pickleball court for an APP class taught by Zane Navratil.

While I can confidently say I’m a better player today, my growth curve hasn’t been as steep as I’d hoped.

I’m pretty awful with official self-assessment, but if I had to guess, I’ve shifted from 3.6 territory to maybe 3.9-ish? And that got me wondering, what’s missing from the equation? Why did I see such a dramatic improvement in my game when I first started playing but then the results tapered off?

So how long does it take to get good at pickleball? The answer is longer than I expected. Here are a few reasons why I might have hit a pickleball plateau.

Pickleball Wrapped 2022: The Year of the Dink

December 27, 2022 by Drew Pierce

While Merriam-Webster foolishly chose “gaslighting” as the word of the year, I like my choice better: pickleball.

The three-syllable noun defined my 2022. I started with the sport in March, yet it feels much longer, and that’s a good thing!

I set a goal to play the sport with minimal expectations. But I fell in love; all-consuming love!

My Pickleball Journey Continues: Am I Now a Marked Man?

December 18, 2022 by Drew Pierce

I finally figured out why I’ve run into a bit of a wall on my pickleball journey during one of my casual weekly leagues: I’ve become a marked man.

At first, it was my age. Despite being in my mid-forties, I was one of the younger players. This would often lead to players making excuses about their lack of mobility or agility when losing, but it did not stop them from attempting to slam the ball in my face. I was a target.