DID YOU KNOW? Connor Garnett, Novak Djokovic’s hitting partner turned pro pickleball player

Good evening, picklers.

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: Connor Garnett, Novak Djokovic’s hitting partner turned pro pickleball player

• Bite-sized: Here’s a lively breakdown of the PPA Tour World Championships

• Golden Pickle: Selkirk released their newest paddle: the Project 007 10mm & 14mm models. Price tag: $333.

PICKLE TALK

DID YOU KNOW? 🧠 Connor Garnett, Novak Djokovic’s hitting partner turned pro pickleball player

You got one thing right, Novak. He never does. And the pickleball world is better because of it. 🌎

Background: Division I Tennis at Santa Clara University
Notable Tennis Roles: Novak Djokovic’s hitting partner
Pickleball Rank: #3 in Men’s Singles

In my honest opinion…Connor Garnett might be pickleball’s best example of a tennis crossover success story. Garnett’s roots are in college tennis, where he played Division I at Santa Clara University.

But after a failed stint in investment banking, he returned to the courts as a hitting partner for none other than Novak Djokovic and coached Simona Halep and other top-tier pros.

Now that’s an investment, if you ask me. 💰

The Switch to Pickleball—and a Rapid Rise

In 2022, Garnett made the move to pickleball, and he wasted no time making an impact.

His first pro tournament saw him snag silver medals in both singles and doubles. Since then, he’s become one of the most consistent players on the circuit.

Here’s a breakdown of his rankings:👇🏾

•1️⃣ Men’s Singles: Sitting at #3, Garnett (10,300 rating) is solidly positioned to challenge for the top spot if he keeps up his momentum. (Ben, you betta watch out.)

•2️⃣ Men’s Doubles: He’s only 300 points away from the Top 15, and given his experience in doubles from tennis, he could make this climb in a matter of tournaments.

• 📼 Mixed Doubles: Currently on the cusp of the Top 20—another area where his skills are starting to pay off.

Prediction 🤔: Garnett’s tennis background gives him an edge in singles and doubles, especially with his sharp volleys and court positioning.

Expect him to break into the Top 10 in doubles by early next year if he can string together a few strong performances. Singles might be where he truly shines; #1 isn’t out of reach.

Rising Star with the Bay Area Breakers

As a key player for the Bay Area Breakers in the MLP Challenger League, Garnett is part of a young but hungry team.

His unique mix of tennis agility and pickleball adaptability has made him a powerful force. The Breakers’ success will likely hinge on Garnett’s ability to maintain his singles dominance and bring that fire into doubles.

Insight 💬: MLP teams will look to players like Garnett to shake up team dynamics, especially in mixed formats. His tennis experience helps him adapt quickly, so his presence could push the Breakers into the spotlight as a serious contender in 2025.

PPA World Championships: Garnett’s Next Big Test 📺

With the PPA World Championships in Dallas this week, Garnett has a prime opportunity to climb the ranks even higher. He’s going into the tournament with serious momentum and the advantage of big-match experience from his tennis days.

Prediction 🤔: Expect Garnett to go deep in singles, with a shot at the semis or beyond. His doubles rank could get a big boost if he can find synergy with his partner early on.

Where to Catch the Action

Garnett will be on the courts at the PPA World Championships all week in Dallas.

The matches are streaming live on PickleballTV, so tune in to see if he can continue his climb—and maybe surprise the top contenders in singles and doubles alike.

BREAKING: Ryan Sherry was set to face AJ Koller at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships in Dallas on Tuesday—until he slept through it. Known for his “time zone training” (staying up 71 hours to adjust) and colorful social life, Sherry claims this time it was an ice cream coma that took him out.🍦

The night before, Sherry indulged in three tubs of Bluebell with fellow players, including Genie Bouchard. Despite a 9:30pm bedtime, he missed his call time for his match entirely, waking up to texts from the PPA Tour staff and Bouchard herself.

The PPA fined Sherry an undisclosed amount for the no-show. Luckily, Sherry made it to his doubles match with Yates Johnson that evening.

BITE-SIZED PICKLES to watch out for this week 👀

1/ Here’s a lively breakdown of the PPA Tour World Championships

The Grand Finale: PPA Tour World Championships
Location: Dallas, TX
Highlight: The biggest pickleball tournament ever. Yep, ever.

This isn’t just another tournament—it’s the fourth and final Slam of 2024, the last shot for players to rack up points and secure their spots in the PPA Finals this December. A strong finish here could be a game-changer.

New Duos, Big Drama 👯

• Anna Bright + Quang Duong – A fresh duo worth keeping an eye on. Bright’s fast reflexes paired with Duong’s power? This team could shake things up.

• James Ignatowich + Christian Alshon – Once rivals, now partners, these two frenemies-turned-teammates are ready to tackle the fierce men’s doubles lineup. Will the chemistry click?

Early Shocker 😱

• Jack Sock & Callie Smith – Ouch. The new duo stumbled in their first match, dropping in the round of 64 to 52-seed Maria Klokotzky and Etienne Blaszkewycz. Sock and Smith’s quick exit was a stunner, but it’s proof of how stacked the field is.

2/ The 1st dedicated pickleball courts drift into Tokyo

It all started with the laid-back vibes of “Pacific DRIVE-IN” — a drive-in café along the scenic Route 134 in Shichirigahama, Kamakura. 🇯🇵

Known for its coastal charm, the café quickly became a must-visit spot for those chasing Japan’s relaxed, beachy aesthetic.

From there, the Pacific series expanded, including ventures like Pacific BAKERY👨🏻‍🍳, a Hawaiian-inspired bakery serving up fresh bread and pastries for the everyday foodie.

Enter “Pacific PICKLE CLUB”: Where Pickleball Meets Tokyo Style

The latest venture, Pacific PICKLE CLUB, brings the signature Pacific style to Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, with a twist. Aimed at turning pickleball into a trendy, casual sport, Pacific PICKLE CLUB hopes to build excitement around a sport that’s taken off in the U.S. but is still new to Japan.

Why It Matters:

1. 📈 Growth Potential – Pickleball’s popularity in the U.S. has soared, with an estimated 36.5 million players joining the game in 2022 alone. Japan’s urban sports parks could be the next big playground for the sport.

2. 🤲🏼 Bringing Casual Culture – Pacific PICKLE CLUB is tapping into pickleball’s relaxed, social atmosphere, making it accessible and stylish for Tokyo’s urban crowd. The club aims to blend pickleball with Tokyo’s flair for trendy, community-driven spaces.

What’s Next for Pacific PICKLE CLUB?

With Tokyo’s love for combining sports and culture, Pacific PICKLE CLUB could help establish a pickleball scene in Japan, attracting players who want a laid-back yet active lifestyle.

The club’s placement in the Ariake Urban Sports Park—a hub for other popular urban sports—could turn this into the ultimate community hangout for pickleball fans and newcomers alike.

Prediction 🤔: If Pacific PICKLE CLUB gains traction, expect to see more courts and possibly even dedicated pickleball centers popping up across Japan. We know how the Japanese are with their sports: tough and dedicated.

This is just the start.

GOLDEN PICKLE: Your must-clicks of the week

Just a few crumbs before you go…😉

1. Selkirk released their newest paddle: the Project 007 10mm & 14mm models.🤑 I don’t know about you, but with a price tag of $333, I think I’d rather buy myself a redeye to Paris.

2. The Lipiplasty Pickleball World Championships 📍are going on right now. Here’s the Round of 32 Order of Play schedule.
   

3. Meet the smallest pickleball paddle and balls in the world. 🤭 Suited for your coffee table.
   

4. Check out this $7.45 million, 12-acre Scottsdale, Arizona Estate 🏠with it’s own indoor pickleball court. Anyone want to give me loan that I never have to pay back??

5. Miss the last Pickle Talk? 👉🏻 Here’s what we covered: Cannabis is now in the business of pickleball, vise versa. Did you know that 90% of the current 144 players of the PPA tour have a tennis background? Utah Tech team wins GOLD & $15,000 at the Collegiate Pickleball Championships.