Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour (Episode 6)

Episode 6 — Injuries, Championships & Life on the Road

Just when we thought we had a few quiet days at home, life on tour had other plans.

A last-minute flight scramble. An injury in the Cayman Islands. Back-to-back tournaments on two continents. Gold medals in Madrid. And a seven-week stretch away from home that was only getting started.

Sometimes life on the pro pickleball tour is about chasing results.

Sometimes it’s about adapting when everything goes sideways.

This month was definitely the latter.

Where in the World — Monthly Snapshot

Countries Visited: Cayman Islands, Spain, United States

Biggest Challenge: Severe ankle sprain in week one

Best Result: Double gold in Madrid

Most Unexpected Win: Discovering our flight was a day earlier than expected

The Trip Almost Didn’t Happen

Picking up where Episode 5 of Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour left off, the end of May gave us a few precious days at home before what would become a seven-week journey across multiple countries and tournaments.

Of course, the chaos started before we even left.

While reviewing our travel plans for the Cayman Islands, I decided to double-check our flight information.

Good thing I did.

What we thought was a Friday departure was actually scheduled for Thursday.

Realizing that on Wednesday saved us from what could have been a complete travel disaster.

Within hours, we packed our bags, drove to Miami, and kicked off the first stop of our summer tour.

Cayman Islands — A Tough Start

The Cayman Islands were absolutely stunning.

Crystal-clear water.

Beautiful beaches.

And one of the nicest pickleball facilities we’ve seen, featuring more than 20 courts.

The event itself was an invitational team competition featuring many of the top APP players. Team owners drafted rosters consisting of two men and two women, creating a fun atmosphere that felt very different from a traditional tournament.

Brandon and I ended up on separate teams, both surrounded by incredible players.

Unfortunately, my event ended much sooner than expected.

Just ten points into my first match, I rolled my ankle and suffered a significant sprain.

A visit to the doctor confirmed the injury, and suddenly I found myself on crutches for the next five days.

Not exactly how I envisioned starting a seven-week trip.

Thankfully, the diagnosis could have been much worse.

Nothing was broken.

Just a strained tendon.

Moments like this remind me how important all the off-court work really is. Strength training, mobility work, recovery routines, and injury prevention aren’t always exciting, but they matter. I truly believe those habits helped prevent a much more serious injury.

Want steadier movement and fewer rolled ankles? Read our guide on pickleball footwork fundamentals.

The bright spot?

Brandon’s team went on to win the entire event and bring home the championship.

Spain — Coaching Through Recovery

From the Cayman Islands, we flew directly to southern Spain for the Reballution Cup in Rota, one of our favorite stops every year.

Traveling internationally on crutches definitely wasn’t ideal.

Although I will admit that skipping airport lines and getting chauffeured through terminals in a wheelchair has a few advantages.

We arrived early to run several clinics before the tournament began.

Since I couldn’t spend much time on court, a close friend stepped in to help with coaching duties, allowing us to continue connecting with players and helping grow the game despite my injury.

The clinics were a huge success and reminded us how much we enjoy working with players at every level.

Meanwhile, Brandon continued his strong season.

He successfully defended his men’s doubles title alongside Mauro, repeating as champions for the second consecutive year.

While Brandon was competing, I focused on:

• Recovery
• Physiotherapy
• Treatment sessions
• Mobility work

Every day brought a little more progress.

Cincinnati — Testing the Ankle

Twelve days after the injury, it was time for APP Cincinnati.

The swelling had finally subsided, I had clearance to play, and my ankle felt stable enough to give competition another try.

The plan was simple:

If the pain became too much, I would withdraw.

Thankfully, the ankle held up.

I was able to compete throughout the event and reached the quarterfinals in women’s doubles after several hard-fought victories.

The bigger challenge wasn’t my ankle.

It was the heat.

Thursday alone featured seven matches across multiple events, starting at 8 a.m. and ending near 8 p.m.

Twelve hours.

Brutal temperatures.

Constant hydration management.

By the end of the day, many players—including me—were battling cramps and fatigue.

Brandon continued his impressive run of form, earning a bronze medal in men’s doubles and another podium finish.

Want to win more of those tight matches? Read our guide on the pickleball shots that win the most points.

Madrid — A Special Homecoming

Week four took us back across the Atlantic.

This time, to Madrid.

Competing in Madrid is always special because so many of my family members live there.

But this year felt even more meaningful.

My doubles partner, Allie, traveled from the United States with her family, allowing me to share my home country with some of my closest friends.

One of the most unique aspects of the Pickle Pro Tour is that championship matches are played in iconic city-center locations.

This year, the final court was built in Plaza de España—one of Madrid’s most recognizable landmarks.

Playing pickleball in the heart of the city, surrounded by spectators and curious onlookers, was an unforgettable experience.

And the week ended in the best possible way.

🏆 Gold Medal – Women’s Doubles

🏆 Gold Medal – Mixed Doubles with Brandon

After a difficult month filled with travel, recovery, and uncertainty, standing on top of the podium made every challenge worthwhile.

Home for a Moment

After four weeks on the road and four consecutive weekends on the podium, we’re finally taking a brief pause in Castellón, my hometown on Spain’s east coast.

For now, we’re enjoying:

• Family dinners
• Recovery days
• Time by the beach
• A chance to recharge before the next chapter

Because soon enough, we’ll be back on the road again.

What This Month Taught Us

• Plans can change in an instant
• Recovery is just as important as training
• Small victories matter during difficult stretches
• The people around you make the journey worthwhile

Why We Keep Going

This month had a little bit of everything:

• Last-minute travel surprises.
• An unexpected injury.
• Championship moments.
• Family time.
• Long flights, nothing quite like the 36-hour travel day from Episode 3 of Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour.
• And unforgettable experiences across three countries.

Life on tour isn’t always smooth.

But it’s those unexpected twists that often create the stories we’ll remember most.

EV-Everywhere: The Journey Beyond the Court

As we’ve traveled from court to court and country to country, one thing has become clear: pickleball is more than a sport. It’s a community that brings people together regardless of age, background, or where they call home.

That’s what EV-Everywhere has always been about—not just competition, but the people, places, and experiences that make this game so special.

Thank you for joining us on the journey. We hope these stories encourage you to get out, explore new courts, meet new players, and enjoy everything this incredible sport has to offer. If you are just joining us, go back to where it all began in Episode 1 of Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour.

Glauka Carvajal Lane and Brandon will keep sharing the journey, on and off the court. Wherever the game takes you, play with purpose with the EV-11.

Wherever pickleball takes you next, we’ll see you on the court.