Episode 3 — The Longest Sunday — Medals, Family Time & Back to the Grind
What happens when a 14-hour time difference turns one day into 36 hours?
March started with one of the longest travel days we’ve ever experienced — but it also brought some of our most rewarding moments yet, both on and off the court.
From a breakthrough tournament in Japan to family time back home and a quick reset before the U.S. season, this month was all about balance: competing, recovering, and reconnecting.
Where in the World — March Snapshot
Countries Visited: Japan → United States
Biggest Highlight: First mixed doubles medal together
Toughest Moment: 36-hour “Sunday” travel day
Best Reset: Family time + home routines
Tsu City — A Breakthrough to End the Asia Tour
When we wrapped up February, we were on our way to Tsu City for the final stop of the Asia tour — and it turned out to be one of our best tournaments in a while.
- Brandon took gold in men’s singles
- I earned bronze in women’s doubles
- And together, we achieved something really special —
our first mixed doubles medal
We secured bronze after defeating a very strong, highly ranked team, which made the moment even more meaningful.
We left Japan feeling proud, motivated, and confident in the level we’re building together.
The Longest Sunday
The trip home… was a different story.
On March 1st, we traveled from Tokyo back to Melbourne Beach, Florida — crossing time zones and the international date line.
Our “Sunday” turned into a 36-hour travel marathon.
By the time we walked through our front door, we were completely drained. And the next few days weren’t much easier.
For nearly a week:
- Falling asleep at 6 PM
- Waking up at 3 AM
- Completely out of sync
It was easily the worst jet lag we’ve experienced.
But slowly, we adjusted… just in time for something we had been really looking forward to.
Family Time — A Different Kind of Energy
My parents came from Spain to spend a week with us — and moments like that mean everything.
They don’t often get to see what our daily life actually looks like, so this was their chance to fully experience it.
And they didn’t hold back.
They jumped into:
- Pickleball training
- Gym sessions
- Surf mornings
- Recovery routines
By the end of the week, they were jokingly calling it:
“Surviving with the Lanes.”
Thankfully, they’re both very fit… and I think they secretly loved the challenge.
Miami — Growing the Game
Before they flew back, we took them with us to Miami to attend Raqtx, the largest racquet sports convention in the country.
For the third year in a row, we represented Stride Pickleball and continued working to grow the sport.
This year, I was invited again to speak on a panel alongside representatives from tennis and padel. The conversation centered around whether racquet sports are competing for space — or actually complementing each other.
It was a great discussion and an opportunity to share how quickly pickleball is growing and evolving.
That same day didn’t slow down.
Later that night, I hosted my first all-women’s clinic, which completely sold out. The energy was incredible, and seeing so many women come together to play, learn, and compete made it one of the most rewarding moments of the month.
Back Home — Real Life in Between
After saying goodbye at the airport (which never gets easier), we stayed a few extra days in South Florida to get high-level practice matches in.
Then it was back home — and back to real life.
Outside of pickleball, it’s been full:
- Starting a kitchen remodel (exciting… and overwhelming)
- Meeting a close friend’s newborn baby
- Watching our nephew at his t-ball game
- Catching up on yard work and everyday responsibilities
It’s a reminder that life on tour isn’t just travel and competition — it’s also everything that happens in between.
Back to the Grind
As we write this, we’re back on the road again — driving to South Florida for a full day of training.
It’s a long trip, but it means:
- Five hours of high-quality games
- Focused preparation
- Getting back into competitive rhythm
All leading into our next milestone:
Our first tournament of the year in the United States — in Seattle.
What This Month Taught Us
- Progress is built across tournaments, not just results
- Travel takes a real physical toll — recovery matters
- Family time is just as important as training time
- Growth of the sport extends beyond the court
Why We Keep Going
From Japan to Florida.
From medals to jet lag.
From global competition to family dinners.
March reminded us that this journey is about more than just winning.
It’s about:
- The people we share it with
- The experiences along the way
- And the constant balance between life and sport
Follow the Journey
This is Episode 3 of EV-Everywhere: Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour.
Next stop: Seattle.
Back on U.S. soil.
Back into competition.
And back to building momentum for the season ahead.
Stay tuned.
Related posts
