Silver Lining: Reflecting on a Medal-Winning Nationals

Looking Back at a Breakthrough Tournament and Ahead to Future Goals

In the latest episode of her podcast, professional pickleball player Mary Brasca recaps her experience at the 2023 Nationals tournament in Texas where she and her sister Maggie took home the silver medal in women's doubles.

She reflects on the significance of this accomplishment as their first Championship Sunday together on the pro tour, how far they've come since starting out just a few years ago, and their drive to continue improving and contend for more titles.

Mary also discusses playing in the Miami Pickleball Club league event with her mixed doubles team, making a solid playoff run and developing chemistry with her teammates. With potentially more team events on the horizon, Mary is setting her sights on new opportunities to showcase her skills. Stay tuned as she shares more insights from Nationals and takes fan questions in an upcoming episode.

An Audience With the Ambassador of Pickleball

Wes Gabrielsen reflects on his journey to becoming a leading voice in one of America's fastest growing sports

Time In Texas, Austin Pickleballers Training Camp (4:00)

Player/Coach MLP Both sides of the game ⥣ (5:21)

For Gabrielsen, embodying both the player and coach roles allows him a unique perspective. As a top-ranked pro, he brings first-hand experience competing at pickleball's highest levels. Yet as a student of the game, he's devoted himself to understanding the finer points that can give players an edge. This dual insight lets Gabrielsen connect with students and help them achieve breakthroughs.

Wes shares his early pickleball beginnings (7:06)

Gabrielsen traces his origins in the sport back over a decade. After injuries hampered his tennis career, he discovered pickleball as an invigorating alternative. What began as a recreational pastime, however, soon morphed into an all-consuming passion as Gabrielsen recognized the potential for high-level competition. Since those humble beginnings, he's taken up the mantle as an evangelist for the game.

Wes transitions to full-time pickleball (8:44)

At some point, Gabrielsen realized he faced a choice - continue pursuing pickleball part-time while juggling his other responsibilities, or take a leap to focus on it full-time. He decided to dedicate himself completely to the sport as a player and coach. While leaving his previous career behind was daunting, Gabrielsen trusted his ability to make a living as one of pickleball's foremost ambassadors.

Game Evolution (10:50)

Few can speak authoritatively on how dramatically pickleball has progressed in skill level and popularity over the past few years like Gabrielsen. He's witnessed firsthand the quantum leaps in play as more athletes have poured energy into elevating their talents. Yet despite this rapid evolution, Gabrielsen emphasizes pickleball remains accessible and welcoming to newcomers as it retains the inviting social aspect that makes it so enjoyable.

Pickleball has brought joy into my life: The transformative power of pickleball (12:40)

For Gabrielsen, pickleball has been about more than athletic achievement and career success - it's profoundly enriched his life. The sport has led him to build meaningful connections all over the country as he meets fellow players who share his passion. And in coaching, he finds deep fulfillment in guiding others on their own pickleball journeys. Pickleball has become Gabrielsen's calling, a source of purpose beyond his love of competition.

Tournament Memories (13:52)

Over his many years playing tournaments, some memories stick out for Gabrielsen as seminal moments. He recounts thrilling victories that required resilience and big comebacks. There is also the camaraderie among players away from the court. And the shared joy when young players break through at high-level events. These moments crystalize why he fell in love with pickleball to begin with.

Nationals, the pinnacle of pickleball (15:36)

For competitive pickleball players, the National Championships represent the pinnacle. Gabrielsen describes the electrifying atmosphere - thousands of spectators filling stands, top athletes primed to deliver their best. He reminisces on his first Nationals appearance years ago, the nervous energy coursing through his body before stepping on court. And how the experience steeled his nerves for future marquee tournaments. To this day, the annual Nationals extravaganza stands as a highlight of Gabrielsen's year.

The importance of drilling/favorite shots (17:54)

As both player and coach, Gabrielsen understands one immutable truth - success stems from repetition through drilling. There are no shortcuts to ingraining solid fundamentals and developing consistency. Gabrielsen recounts long sessions spent honing his signature punch shot and third-shot drop. By internalizing such techniques, they translate into go-to weapons during make-or-break points. Drilling remains as integral as ever in Gabrielsen's regimen today.

The Oregon Cup (20:30)

Gabrielsen beams with pride talking about his Oregon Cup tournament. After identifying competitive Pickleball's absence in his home state, Gabrielsen launched this event to give regional players high-level experience. Now in its second year, the Oregon Cup has grown into one of the most talent-stacked tournaments around. For Gabrielsen, it represents his vision to spur Pickleball's growth at the grassroots level. If its early explosion is any indication, the Oregon Cup appears poised for national prominence.

NextGen: High school/college, shaping the future of the sport (24:49)

As someone embedded in competitive Pickleball, Gabrielsen recognizes the urgent need to groom next-generation talent, especially among youth. He points to fledgling high school and college leagues as crucial for establishing a pipeline. Gabrielsen dreams of the day top players can keep pace with other varsity sports stars. Even more, he hopes scholarships may incentivize young phenoms to view Pickleball as a viable path. The very future of American pickleball hangs in the balance.

Pro Pickleball Career Advice: The crucial importance of REST (26:52)

Given the sport's physically taxing nature, Gabrielsen urges both developing and established pros to embrace rest and recovery. Without proper breaks, the risk of injury and burnout loom large. For Gabrielsen, days completely off the court prove essential for his longevity. He also emphasizes active rest through stretching, massage, and other modalities. By sustainably pacing themselves, pros can extend their competitive peaks. Rest merits equal priority to training for aspiring greats.

Conclusion

During his wide-ranging conversation with Mary Brasca, Wes Gabrielsen offered insider perspective into competitive pickleball’s rapid evolution and his own circuitous journey to becoming one of the sport’s most prominent figures. From the humble origins playing for fun over a decade ago to now training future stars full-time, Gabrielsen spoke candidly on the joys, challenges, and all-encompassing passion he’s derived from pickleball. With the sport poised for even greater heights, expect Gabrielsen to remain one of its foremost ambassadors spreading the pickleball gospel far and wide.

Time Code List

3:04 Wes Gabrielsen, Winning With Wes
4:00 Time In Texas, Austin Pickleballers Training Camp
5:21 Player/Coach MLP Both sides of the game ⥣
7:06 Wes shares his early pickleball beginnings
8:44 Wes transitions to full-time pickleball
10:50 Game Evolution
12:40 Pickleball has brought joy into my life: The transformative power of pickleball
13:52 Tournament Memories
15:36 Nationals, the pinnacle of pickleball
17:54 The importance of drilling/favorite shots
20:30 The Oregon Cup
24:49 NextGen: High school/college, shaping the future of the sport
26:52 Pro Pickleball Career Advice: The crucial importance of REST