Summary
Episode 4 of EV-Everywhere: Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour follows the highs and lows of tournament season through Seattle, travel chaos, illness, and unforgettable moments at the US Open Pickleball Championships. From indoor competition and airport floor sleepovers to center court matches against some of the best players in the world, this chapter captures the reality, excitement, and community behind life on the professional pickleball tour.
Episode 4 — Chaos, Competition & the US Open
If March was about finding rhythm again, April was about jumping straight back into the chaos of tour life.
If you’re new to the series, start with Episode 1 of Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour to see where the journey began before following the chaos, competition, and US Open moments in Episode 4.
Cold indoor courts in Seattle. Airport floor sleepovers. Fighting through illness. Quarterfinal runs. The biggest stage at the US Open.
April had a little bit of everything — and somehow, that’s exactly what makes life on the pro pickleball tour unforgettable.
Where in the World — April Snapshot
- Tournament Stops: Seattle, Naples
- Biggest Highlight: Playing on center court at the US Open
- Most Chaotic Moment: Sleeping on the airport floor after two flight cancellations
- Best Feeling: Being back with our tour family
Seattle — Back to Competition
April officially kicked off our U.S. tournament season with the APP Seattle Open — our first event back of the year.
Neither of us had ever been to Seattle before, and the adjustment was immediate:
- Cold weather
- Indoor conditions
- Faster pace of play
Indoor pickleball is completely different from outdoor play. Everything speeds up — timing, reactions, decision-making — so arriving early for practice made a huge difference.
The differences between indoor and outdoor conditions can completely change how the game feels, from ball speed to control and reaction timing. We break down those adjustments further in our detailed guide to indoor vs outdoor pickleballs.
One of the best parts of the week was reuniting with our travel crew:
- Allie
- Kevin
- Wade
We often share Airbnbs during tournaments, and after months apart since leaving for Spain in December, it felt really special to be back together again.
Unfortunately, tournament draws don’t always care about friendships.
Brandon and I ended up facing Allie and Kevin in the first round. We got the win, but there’s never a good feeling when friends have to eliminate friends that early in an event.
Still, it was a strong start to the season:
- Both of us reached quarterfinals in multiple events
- We started building momentum again
- And we left Seattle feeling positive about where our game was heading
After the long travel, recovery, and momentum-building journey in Episode 3 of Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour, Seattle marked the true start of our U.S. tournament season.
The Airport Nightmare
Then came the trip home.
Our flight boarded at 10 PM… only for everyone to be deplaned 40 minutes later because of a mechanical issue.
A little later, they called our names and upgraded us to first class — my first time ever. For a moment, it felt like the travel chaos had somehow turned into a win.
But then came announcement number two:
We had missed the departure curfew by five minutes.
Deplaned again.
At 1:30 in the morning, the next available flight wasn’t until 6 AM, so we grabbed our bags, found a quiet corner of the airport floor, and tried to sleep for a few hours.
Definitely not the glamorous version of professional sports people imagine.
Experiences like this have become part of the journey since Episode 2 of Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour, where nonstop international travel, long layovers, and life constantly on the move became the reality of tour life.
Sick at Home — Timing Matters
Unfortunately, the travel stress finally caught up to me.
For the next five days, I was dealing with:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Zero energy
Thankfully, we had a couple weeks at home before our next tournament, which gave me enough time to recover before heading to our favorite event of the year:
The US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples.
Naples — The US Open Energy
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the US Open, with more than 4,000 players from around the world competing in Naples.
There’s truly nothing like the atmosphere there.
Brandon had an incredible week:
- Silver medal in split-age men’s doubles
- Quarterfinal appearances in all his other events
I reached the Round of 16 in women’s doubles after a great win before a difficult loss where, honestly, the mental side of the game got the best of us.
But one of the biggest highlights came in mixed doubles.
Center Court Moment
I partnered with Alex Emory for the first time — and from the beginning, we clicked immediately.
Together, we upset two top-seeded teams to reach the quarterfinals, earning a match against:
- Anna Leigh Waters
- Jay Devilliers
On the biggest center court.
On television.
In front of packed crowds.
We battled hard, and even though we didn’t get the win, competing against the best players in the world on that stage was an unforgettable experience.
Those are the moments you work for.
Off-Court Fun & Tour Life
Off the court, Brandon’s famous cheetah hair officially made its return — which somehow led to interviews, photos, and even newspaper attention throughout the week.
We stayed with our friend Nancy, spent time with sponsors and supporters, and were reminded again how much of the pickleball community feels like family after years on tour.
That’s one of the best parts of this lifestyle:
The people you meet along the way.
Next Stop — Sacramento & Hawaii
Now we’re back home briefly before heading out again:
- Sacramento for the next APP stop
- Hawaii for clinics, events… and hopefully some surfing
Because at this point, life on tour never really slows down.
What This Month Taught Us
- Indoor and outdoor pickleball require completely different adjustments
- Travel days can humble you quickly
- Momentum matters — but health matters more
- Some of the best memories happen outside the medal matches
Why We Keep Going
April brought:
- Wins
- Tough losses
- Long nights in airports
- Big-stage matches
- Incredible crowds
- And unforgettable experiences with friends
And honestly… that’s tour life.
Messy. Exhausting. Exciting. Rewarding.
Every month reminds us why we continue chasing this journey:
To compete, to grow, and to experience pickleball’s incredible community around the world.
Follow the Journey
This is Episode 4 of EV-Everywhere: Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour.
Next stop: Sacramento… then Hawaii.
More miles.
More matches.
More stories ahead.
Stay tuned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Life on the pro pickleball tour involves constant travel, tournament preparation, training, recovery, and competition throughout the season.
Professional pickleball players often travel weekly or biweekly during tournament season for events across different cities and states.
Tournament travel can include delayed flights, long travel days, fatigue, schedule changes, and adjusting quickly to new playing conditions.
Indoor pickleball is usually faster because there is no wind, making reactions, timing, and shot speed feel quicker than outdoor play.
The US Open Pickleball Championships is one of the biggest pickleball tournaments in the world, held annually in Naples, Florida.
Recovery helps players manage fatigue, stay healthy, and maintain performance during long stretches of travel and competition.
EV-Everywhere is Evolute Pickleball’s series following the experiences, travel, tournaments, and behind-the-scenes moments of life on the pro pickleball tour.
