My First Pickleball Competition

This weekend, I entered my first ever pickleball competition — something I’ve been thinking about doing for a while. The event took place at my local racquet centre, though it was organised by Pickleball UK Tournaments, bringing together players from across the region.

As the pickleball coach at the centre, I spend much of my time helping others enjoy and improve their game. Ironically, that often means I struggle to join open play sessions myself — they book up fast! So when this competition came around, it felt like the right moment to experience the game from a new perspective.

Overcoming Competition Anxiety

I’ve never been someone who thrives in competitive environments. From my school days right through to my coaching career, I’ve often felt an intense rush of adrenaline before assessments or matches — the kind that’s hard to control once it hits. For years, that anxiety stopped me from stepping into competitions altogether.

But to become a better coach, I knew I needed to understand what my players experience — the pressure, the nerves, and the challenge. So, I decided to face it head-on.

Game Day Energy

When I arrived at the venue, the place was buzzing with energy. It was clear that many players had come from further afield, representing clubs with strong competitive setups and plenty of tournament experience. It was inspiring to see the sport growing like that, even if it added a few butterflies to the mix!

My partner for the event was Cindy, who had only picked up a paddle the day before — yes, really! On top of that, my DUPR rating of 3.69 (based on just six games) placed us in a group with some of the strongest, most experienced players. We were definitely in at the deep end.

Despite the nerves, I felt surprisingly calm mentally — even if my body didn’t quite get the memo. Our first match was against the eventual silver medallists, and although we lost 11–2, we laughed our way through it. Every pair we faced commented on how much fun we were having. That, for us, was the goal: enjoy the experience and learn from it.

Finding Our Footing

The early matches were about adjusting — to the pace, the environment, and the pressure. We defended well, often winning back serve, but struggled to capitalise on our own service games. I’ll admit, I sent three serves long in a row — something unheard of for me in normal play!

As the day went on, things began to settle. Our communication improved, our teamwork strengthened, and we started making tactical choices — targeting certain players and working better as a unit. We began winning more points from serve and holding rallies for longer.

Reflections and Takeaways

By the end of the day, we were tired, smiling, and proud. We didn’t win medals, but we achieved exactly what we set out to do: play, learn, and enjoy every second.

The exciting part is that we both felt there’s so much room to grow. Against players with far more competition experience, we still managed to compete and even challenge them at times. For me, the real battle was internal — calming the body while keeping the mind steady — and that’s something I know will improve with time.

The biggest lesson? Set your expectations wisely. I went in knowing I wasn’t there to win, but to learn. I achieved that — and came away with a better understanding of where I can develop my game next.

Now it’s time to rest, reflect, and prepare to go again.