Getting Ready for Competition

I’m getting ready for some competition in the States, and this next stretch of tournaments is going to be a real test of all the work I’ve been putting in. First up is the JOOLA Celebration Tournament, which I’ll be playing in with my family. After that, I’ll head over to compete in the PPA Challenger Orlando event. I’m registered for 4.5 men’s singles and 4.0 doubles, so that'll be interesting.

On the court, my focus lately has been on getting my backhand drive dialed, mainly from baseline. It’s one of those shots where a little bit of consistency goes a long way, and I’m starting to see some gains there. I’ve also been drilling drop shots like crazy, because those are the most important shot in pickleball. Another big thing is decision-making under pressure, a super important skill to have. Just trying to make fewer unforced errors and more calculated plays.

Off the court, I’ve been putting in work with my coach, Kevin Malone. I’ve been following a workout program he assigned for a while now, and the strength gains are noticeable. I feel stronger, more explosive, and I can last longer in high-intensity games. One bonus is that I finally got past that nagging foot pain issue that had been bothering me for months. That's a W. On the diet side of things, I’m going strict for the three weeks leading up to the tournaments, cutting out gluten and limiting sugar. For most people, including me, those foods cause gut inflammation. Which in turn messes with how well you can engage your core. And when your core isn’t firing properly, you're more prone to injuries. Something I've learned first hand. Pulled a quad, tweaked my back, all because I wasn’t engaging my core properly.  Injury prevention has become a big part of my prep too. I’m still working through a pulled quad, so I’ve been attacking that from all angles, using massage, stretching, and strengthening the opposite muscles like hamstrings and glutes. It can feel arduous, but I’m learning a lot along the way, and it’s making me a smarter, more aware athlete.

The days are long right now with morning drill sessions, evening games, and workouts/recovery in between, but I love it. I’m excited to get back up there, play some challenging games, and see how it all pays off.

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