The fast-growing sport of pickleball is attracting several former tennis professionals, including Eugenie Bouchard, Sam Querrey, and Jack Sock. Once among the world’s top-ranked tennis players, they’re now finding new passion and competitive drive in this dynamic sport. For Bouchard, the former Wimbledon finalist and world-ranked No. 5, pickleball offers a fresh start and the thrill of embracing a sport that’s rapidly gaining popularity.
At age 30, Bouchard has shifted her focus from professional tennis to pickleball, which she describes as both challenging and exciting. Speaking with tennis.com, Bouchard explained her decision to make the switch: “I’d love to challenge myself to try something new. Being part of something growing so quickly is appealing,” she shared. This transition allows her to continue playing tennis while exploring a different competitive arena. She has since joined the Pro Tour of Pickleball and, while still relatively new to the sport, she’s already making strides, reaching her first professional pickleball semifinal in Las Vegas.
Querrey and Sock, other notable tennis players, are also taking up pickleball. Querrey, a former World No. 11 and winner of 10 ATP singles titles, admits the transition requires mastering new skills. “It’s the nuances, the positioning, and the directional changes,” Querrey told ppatour.com. “At the highest level, pickleball is much harder than it appears.” These elements make the sport uniquely challenging, even for seasoned tennis professionals.
While their tennis backgrounds provide a solid foundation, Bouchard, Querrey, and Sock are learning that pickleball demands an entirely new set of techniques and strategies. For Bouchard, this fresh challenge is especially meaningful as she navigates the learning curve. “I still have a long way to go, but I feel like I belong a little more,” she said, embracing the supportive, close-knit community within the pickleball world.
The rapid growth of pickleball is drawing attention worldwide, with players from various sports backgrounds joining in. For former tennis pros, it’s an opportunity to re-engage in competitive sports in a new way, contributing to pickleball’s evolution while reigniting their athletic journeys. As more tennis stars like Bouchard and Querrey explore this burgeoning sport, pickleball’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down.