Lea Jansen Confirms Singes Comeback at PPA Tour Finals
The outspoken pickleball star will return to singles competition for the first time since stepping away earlier this year
"I qualified for the finals so I'm going to play this one out," said Jansen, who stepped away from singles to focus on doubles and mixed doubles play.
The 31-year-old had been a top women's singles player in recent years, after 26 months and 27 medals, before suddenly quitting singles competition in July. Jansen cited mental frustration and health issues related to Type 1 Diabetes as reasons for her decision to stop playing singles.
Her return to the singles court at the season-ending Tour Finals event marks a comeback that many pickleball fans have been hoping for since she stepped away.
Back in Training After Time Off
Jansen revealed she only started training for singles again two weeks ago, after confirming with PPA Commissioner Dave Fleming in Las Vegas that she would play the finals event.
"I came back after Vegas and just started playing some singles games and getting into a groove of it again," she said.
Despite her limited training time, the muscle memory appears to be quickly coming back for the former world #2 women's singles player.
"It's like riding a bike again," Jansen remarked. "I was playing so well when I quit, it's kind of coming back naturally."
Though she felt burned out on singles earlier in the year, her excitement is building now as her skills return.
"I've been having so much fun training for it," she said. "It's like getting back together with that old boyfriend, where now I remember this was fun."
Uncertain If Return Will Be Permanent
While Jansen is clearly relishing her return to singles ahead of the Tour Finals, she remains unsure if this comeback will extend beyond that event.
"I don't want to build this up too much," she cautioned. "When I quit, I said I'd never miss it, so I was happy to be done."
However, Jansen admitted watching the singles tournaments this year and not being a part of them was difficult at times.
The thrill of competing solo on the court again has her suddenly feeling differently. But out of respect for her health, Jansen is hesitant to commit to playing singles long-term again.
"If I play extremely well at the finals event, it's going to be really hard not to start up again next year," she conceded. "But my doctors would absolutely not approve that."
Moved Back to Austin for Training
In preparation for her singles return, Jansen recently moved back to Austin, TX after spending time this summer training in Michigan.
"You have to be in a hotbed to stay relevant now with how serious the investment and contracts are," Jansen explained about returning to the pickleball mecca of Austin.
She emphasized the high level of competition available in Austin, highlighting a recent training game she played against fellow pros Lauren Stratman, Vivienne David and more.
"You really just can't beat that kind of thing here," Jansen raved about her home town training environment.
Teaming Up With Tyra Black in 2024
Looking beyond the Tour Finals, Jansen also revealed she will partner full-time with up-and-coming young star Tyra Black for the 2024 women's doubles season.
"I found my future partner in Tyra," Jansen declared.
She had mixed results partnering with several different players this season. But Jansen emphasized the need for consistency with one partner in order to achieve podium success.
"Riley and Matt show what happens during a breakup," she analyzed. "Neither has gotten worse, they just lost that familiarity."
Jansen is convinced she and the 22-year-old Black can develop that chemistry and consistency over time. She praised Black's soft hands at the net and eagerness to improve.
"I'm going to mold to whatever I need to be with her," said Jansen about establishing her role alongside Black.
Their new partnership promises to be an aggressive one based on Jansen's reputation for speed and power and Black's ability to put volleys away decisively.
"We're definitely going to be aggressive because she has such great hands," Jansen stated confidently about their compatibility.
Star-Studded Mixed Doubles Plans
In addition to her return to singles and new partnership with Black in women's doubles, Jansen also revealed her mixed doubles plans for 2024.
She intends to play primarily with up-and-comer 17-year-old Hayden Patriquin, who she believes is ready to make a big leap into the elite level of play soon.
"I went for that next guy who I feel is going to make the astronomical jump," she explained.
Jansen will also mix in some tournaments with 18-year-old Gabriel Tardio, another rising young star. She emphasized the need to find a partner with major upside in order to consistently reach the mixed doubles podium.
"Unless you're playing with Riley, JW or Ben Johns, you're not consistently getting on that podium," she analyzed.
The partnerships with Patriquin and Tardio both give Jansen an athletic young partner to complement her aggressive playing style.
Authenticity Part of Her Brand
Jansen has built a reputation for freely speaking her mind on any topic, which has become a central part of her brand. She embraces that aspect of her image within the sport.
"It's definitely me, but it's also become my brand because I unapologetically went full force this year," she remarked.
Rather than shy away from controversy, Jansen prefers being genuinely herself, though it inevitably leads to both lovers and haters.
"I'd rather people like me or don't like me than just be boring," she asserted.
That honest approach has even won over some of her critics occasionally.
"I've had haters reach out and say 'I still don't like you, but I do miss seeing you on the singles court,'" Jansen revealed. "That's a win to me."
Ready to Move Forward as a United Tour
With all the turmoil this year between the competing pickleball tours, Jansen is simply ready to move on united as one tour.
"At this point, I'm ready to be a team. Let's grow this thing together now," she urged.
Rather than dwell on the politics of the rival tours any longer, she wants to see the sport embrace its potential growth.
"Let's put our money where our mouths are and see how big this can go," Jansen said. "I'm over it. Let's play pickleball."
She believes uniting behind continued expansion of the sport should be the priority now for all involved.
Drop Serve and New Ball Could Be Future Changes
When asked what rule changes she would propose for the upcoming 2024 season, Jansen advocated for a drop serve rather than the currently legal but controversial throw serve many players are experimenting with.
She also pushed for introducing a new ball, citing increased paddle technology and power as making the sport potentially dangerous currently.
"Let's change the ball so it's not as dangerous out there," she suggested.
Jansen added that standardized protective eyewear could help make a new ball transition safer for all.
"Establish some eyewear and let's go," she stated.
Explosive Growth Coming in 2024
Reflecting on the state of the sport heading into 2024, Jansen marveled at the exponential growth pickleball is experiencing.
"This is a unicorn. I hope people are documenting this, because I'll look back when I'm 50 and say 'What a time,'" she remarked.
Jansen expects college scholarships, an influx of elite young players and possibly even Olympic talk to dominate conversation by the end of 2024.
She highlighted that pros like Anna Bright, considered a veteran after just one breakout season, will quickly cede the spotlight to up-and-comers like Tyra Black and others entering the scene.
"It's exciting to think what players 2024 will bring in," Jansen said.
Hayden Patriquin Her Breakout Prediction
When pressed to name potential breakout stars for 2024, Jansen quickly named Hayden Patriquin as her top prediction on the men's side.
"By the end of 2024, he'll be a top 3 player," she declared. "It's going to be an astronomical leap for Hayden."
She praised Patriquin's athleticism and hands at the net as reasons she believes he is poised to catapult up the pro rankings next season.
Jansen's bold prediction sets sky-high expectations for the young star as he enters what will be a landmark 2024 pickleball season.
The Return of a Pickleball Icon
As the 2023 pickleball season winds down, the return of Lea Jansen to singles competition promises to provide a jolt of excitement at the PPA Tour Finals to conclude the year.
Love her or hate her, Jansen's authentic style has made her one of the true icons of this rapidly growing sport.
Now the biggest question looming over the pickleball world is whether Jansen's return in the Tour Finals will spark a full-fledged comeback in 2024.
Regardless of what comes next, for at least one event, fans will be treated to the return of Lea Jansen's fiery passion and unmatched candor on the singles court.
Her love-hate persona has been genuinely missed during her time away from the game. But it appears the pickleball star people love to root both for and against is ready to give them one more chance at the year's final PPA tour stop.
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