Pickleball Live Streaming Archives Plus: From Tennis ⏩ To Pickleball❗️2024 GOALS 🔥

A Rising Star On The Court And Off Augie Ge appears on the MaryGoRound podcast to discuss going pro in pickleball and his goals for 2024

The popularity of pickleball continues to surge across the country, but perhaps nowhere more than in Arizona. This week on The MaryGoRound podcast, host Mary Brascia interviews one of the state's rising young talents that is part of a growing movement of players going pro in the blossoming sport.

Augie Ge may not yet be a household name, but the Phoenix native boasts an impressive pickleball origin story as well as the skills and mindset to succeed on tour. Still in his mid-twenties, Ge only started competing last February but has already notched a tournament medal and taken down some of the game’s top players.

After getting a small taste of pickleball in middle school PE class, years passed before Ge rediscovered the sport. But once he did, there was no looking back. Now with his recent move to go full-time pro as he continues his “prime athletic years,” Ge is setting lofty goals for 2024 – including podium finishes on both the APP and PPA tours.

The MaryGoRound Podcast Episode 14 Preview, 00:00 Brascia opens the latest episode of her popular sports podcast by teasing the guest appearance of Augie Ge, praising him as an exciting up-and-comer and predicting he’ll make major waves on tour in 2024. She then promotes other segments of the show focused on her own evolution as a player, including a desire for more consistency and championship titles.
New year!, 00:23 Transitioning to discussing her personal goals and plans for 2024, Brascia shares aspirations around boosting consistency, reaching more finals on Sundays at tournaments, and exploring media/entrepreneurial projects related to her love of film and video.
Why Arizona is the place to be for pickleball, 2:40 When Brascia asks Ge where he’s calling in from, the Arizona native responds enthusiastically about the local pickleball scene. He raves about the supportive community of up-and-coming players all pushing each other to improve as well as the ample courts and nice winter weather.
AZ Pickleball League, 4:05 Ge continues praising Arizona as an ideal pickleball location due to the Arizona Pickleball League, a competition featuring high production values that he calls “in a class of its own.” As the reigning champion, he discusses the meaningful experience of winning with his doubles partner Craig Johnson.
How did Augie Ge discover pickleball?, 8:14 Delving into his origin story, Ge traces falling in love with pickleball over chance games with friends during visits back home to Arizona while pursuing graduate studies out East. Though he played competitive tennis growing up, what drew him to pickleball was the more supportive community feel.
Tennis vs. pickleball, 10:03 Elaborating on differences with tennis, Ge contrasts his experience in junior competition as super “cutthroat” where the emphasis was solely on winning vs. pickleball feeling more fun and playing peers actively cheering each other on.
Table tennis background, 11:47 Beyond tennis, Ge also discusses playing table tennis in college which boosted hand-eye coordination and reflexes helpful for excelling in pickleball. With many top players boasting diverse athletic backgrounds, Ge sees his well-rounded sports journey as an asset.
Augie goes full-time pickleball, 12:48 Ge reveals how losing his job opened the door to pursuing pickleball professionally full-time. Still young and fit enough to play at a high level, he jumped at the opportunity to maximize these peak years – knowing he could always return to a regular career down the road.
Goals in the new year, 14:02 Laying out big aims for 2024 now with more availability to train and enter tournaments, Ge sets sights on medaling on the PPA tour – likely in men’s doubles – and trying to capture a title on the APP circuit as well.
What are you working on in your game? What do you need to do to get to the next level?, 15:03 Asked about skills he’s honing and deficiencies noticed when facing elite competition, Ge identifies consistency – especially on third shots – as an area for improvement. Watching a top player like Riley Newman shine in placing perfectly controlled shots inspired Ge to elevate his game.
Practicing with Riley Newman, 15:43 Further discussing a recent practice session with Newman back home, Ge details being awed by Newman’s machine-like consistency hitting third balls along with a relentless ability to eventually attack the kitchen. Ge aspires to adopt a similar grit and patience waiting for just the right offensive opening.
Go to karaoke song, 17:07 Closing out the fun podcast chat, Brascia asks what song Ge would sing at karaoke night. While admitting karaoke terrifies him, he playfully picks the throwback hit “A Thousand Miles” as a go-to selection amongst very close company. Here's hoping we hear Ge crooning the tune on tour someday soon amid a breakout year!

Summary:

The latest episode of The MaryGoRound podcast featured rising pickleball star Augie Ge, a Phoenix native in his mid-20s who only started competing last year but is already making waves. Host Mary Brascia predicts Ge will have a breakout 2024 as he pursues the sport professionally full-time after recently losing his job.

Brascia opened by sharing her own goals including boosting consistency and winning more tournaments. Ge then raved about the Arizona pickleball scene with great weather, ample courts, and a supportive community of players pushing each other’s games. As champion of the production-heavy Arizona Pickleball League, Ge enjoys the competition spotlighting local talent.

Delving into his backstory, Ge described falling for pickleball through chance games while visiting home during grad school out East. A former junior tennis player, he found tennis too cutthroat and likes pickleball’s friendlier vibe. His well-rounded athletic background including college table tennis also helps.

Now going all-in on pro pickleball during his physical prime, Ge has set lofty aims for 2024 like medals and titles. Asked what specific skills he’s honing, consistency stood out – especially steadier 3rd shots. Seeing elite player Riley Newman’s machine-like consistency during a recent practice impressed upon Ge the work still needed to reach the next level.

Beyond pickleball, fun questions were asked like Ge's karaoke song choice - the throwback hit “A Thousand Miles,” albeit only around close company as karaoke terrifies him!

In all, while not yet a famous name, Ge's passion for the sport, supportive community behind him, and work ethic to address weaknesses suggest this young Arizona talent could soon become a pickleball household name. Host Brascia and fans will be cheering him on through what looks to be an exciting year of development on and off the court.

0:00 - The MaryGoRound Podcast Episode 14 Preview