The Return of the King: Pickleball Legend Kyle Yates Discusses Comeback, State of the Sport
Star player and 4-time U.S. Open champ opens up about new ventures, concerns over pro circuit, and quest for fifth title
The world of pickleball was graced by royalty this week as 4-time U.S. Open champion Kyle Yates joined the Pickle Pulse podcast. Considered by many the greatest singles player in history, Yates has been taking time away from competitions while pursuing business ventures. Host Brian Green picked the icon's brain on his tentative comeback, changes in paddle technology, the chaotic state of the pro circuits, promoting the sport to youth, and more.
0:00, Intro, Green gushes over landing the exclusive interview with his longtime friend, joking, "The goat Mr. Kyle Yates...in the house cuz he's uh in his house somewhere far far away from here." After joking around, Green asks Yates the question on every fan's mind - when are we going to see him compete again?
0:48, US Open, Yates reveals, "US Open is actually my next tournament...I've taken a little bit of a break uh for the last few months and this year just kind of reprioritizing a lot of things." Though admitting he hasn't played much and can't justify tournaments now, he says, "I'm definitely itching to get back out there at some point."
1:15, Pickleball Biz, Green inquires about Yates' PB Plays vacation business and new coaching/facilities ventures. Yates discusses focusing more on "teaching this year and open[ing] up a few facil[ities] out in Colorado."
1:45, Vulcan Ball, Conversation turns to pickleball's new Vulcan ball. Yates feels "it's time for people to start innovating with with the ball" but consistency is key - "we want something that you can just get right out of the package and start playing with...and it needs to bounce straight."
3:17, PPA Mesa Cup - Andre Daescu/Gabe Tardio, Talk shifts to an unlikely duo's dominant run.
Yates says he "wasn't surprised" by little-known player Daescu's emergence, calling him a "great mix doubles player" who "just doesn't get to show it as much." With new offensive skills, Yates says, "it was only a matter of time for him to really step up."
6:26, Andre's New Paddle, Daescu's unique new paddle comes up, which Yates is intrigued by but admits "it felt like Thor's hammer in my weeny little noodle arm it's so heavy." At 9.3 ounces, he says only the 6'5" Daescu can swing it.
7:21, Paddletek Bantam/Volair, Yates details moving on from his longtime Paddletek sponsor due to technology limitations and ultimately switching to Volair. He credits the carbon fiber paddle for helping develop his offensive game.
9:30, Andre Daescu/Gabe Tardio - Let's Fire Away, The analyst returns to praising Daescu's impressive hands battles against top teams, saying his game is now "a lot more offensive." Green enjoyed the flashy tempo, feeling "the hands battles are way more fun to watch than...100 dinks."
10:14, MLP, Shifting focus to controversy on the pro circuit, Yates admits he doesn't have high
hopes for the Major League Pickleball season happening as planned after the canceled first
event. He speculates MLP may just become "more of a sideshow" rather than lead tour.
11:34, APP, Green floats the idea of a new team format run by APP if the MLP situation isn't resolved. Yates points out that APP and PPA have money to keep operating events regularly either way.
12:49, MLP, While saying he hopes "they figure something out," Yates warns too long of delays make MLP increasingly "irrelevant" as "people are already like who cares let's move on."
13:58, Connor Garnett and Jack Sock, Green uses former tennis pro Sock's dominant transition to pickleball to ask about the widening skill gap on the pro tours. Yates observes average fans struggle to see differences watching top players dink, though results show "same people are winning over and over."
14:45, Thomas Wilson, They fondly recall Wilson's positive attitude after losing to Yates years ago, leading Green to label Wilson "such a good guy." Yates says Wilson has done great in mixed doubles "...that's that's not bad at all."
16:50, Watching Pro Pickleball, Admitting he still enjoys watching, Yates says he loved the recent Arizona singles tournament for showcasing players' "unbelievable" athleticism. He singles out Sock's speed and power at his size as mind-blowing.
17:57, Ben Johns, Johns' cerebral, analytical style comes up. Yates recounts helping coach a young, less focused Johns years ago on strategy, which has clearly paid off. He muses, "Once he started just figuring out this the strategy...we' stick to game plan and that and that would work."
20:04, Nicaragua 2016, Green reminisces about meeting Yates on a 2016 surf trip where he was a beginner struggling on the big waves. He compliments Yates' improvement, now handling their recent 6-8 foot Costa Rica waves.
23:31, Volair, Getting into gear, Green asks about Yates' new Volair sponsorship after years with Paddletek. Yates tells the origin story of borrowing friend Julian Arnold's paddle, dominating a tournament, and realizing he needed the cutting-edge carbon fiber tech.
27:46, The Picklr, Green asks about Yates' new involvement with popular indoor facility chain The Picklr. Yates discusses their national expansion plans and his roles helping open Colorado area franchises to grow the state's pickleball footprint.
30:21, Getting Paddles Into The Hands Of Kids, Yates shares his passion for getting youth playing through schools. He's meeting with districts about incorporating pickleball into P.E. and starting nonprofits to fund equipment donations.
32:30, Younger Demographic, They marvel at top players like 17-year-old phenom Dawson Frazier who Yates remembers encouraging as a novice teenager. He says now Frazier is "kicking my ass someday" but "it's funny seeing these kids that when they're first starting and then to see how much it's how much it's grown."
34:01, International, As pickleball globalizes, Yates praises AP bringing pros to India's first pro event to promote the sport. He recalls helping European players improve on an overseas clinic trip, saying countries are "starving for more pickleball."
34:48, Outro, Green expresses excitement over Yates' return and eagerness for them to reunite on the water and on the courts soon. Yates plugs his Costa Rica pickleball/surf trips for anyone wanting to join future adventures.
With his signature flair and thoughtful insights across the hour-long chat, the sport's biggest star didn't disappoint in his first media appearance in ages. Yates touched on his preparations for another legendary U.S. Open title run, the paddle technology arms race, chaos on the pro circuit, and using his platform to expand the sport. Fans surely can't wait to see the all-time great back in action pursuing his fifth championship. But no matter what's next for the pickleball icon, he'll undoubtedly continue leading the game to new heights.
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:48 US Open
- 1:15 Pickleball Biz
- 1:45 Vulcan Ball
- 3:17 PPA Mesa Cup - Andre Daescu/Gabe Tardio
- 6:26 Andre's New Paddle
- 7:21 Paddletek Bantam/Volair
- 9:30 Andre Daescu/Gabe Tardio - Let's Fire Away
- 10:14 MLP
- 11:34 APP
- 12:49 MLP
- 13:58 Connor Garnett and Jack Sock
- 14:45 Thomas Wilson
- 16:50 Watching Pro Pickleball
- 17:57 Ben Johns
- 20:04 Nicaragua 2016
- 23:31 Volair
- 27:46 The Picklr
- 30:21 Getting Paddles Into The Hands Of Kids
- 32:30 Younger Demographic
- 34:01 International
- 34:48 Outro
Return of the King
Well bust out the ball machine, it's time for the king to swing, That's right ya'll, Kyle Yates is coming back to bring His paddle power, finesse, and bling To dominate the courts and maybe wear another ring
He joined the Pickle Pulse podcast fresh to give insight On his break from competing and business he ignight But this legend's still itching to reignite His drive for five, you know he has the appetite
After changes with sponsors and paddle shape He's found with Volair some winning ways Time to set the record straight Win back that shine before it's too late
The tour scene's been messy, MLP merge got tricky But true fans stay cheering, we ain't bitter, ain't icky Sure some critics blame him for being picky But this comeback's poised to be especially sickly
We take a trip down memory arcade Laugh with Thomas Wilson about days he played
Back when Ben Johns a pup that needed molding
Now top dog with legend status upholding
Remember surfing raw in Nicaragua twenty sixteen?
My dude took beatings but kept on beaming
Now he's charging waves with ease, hardcore screaming
Same grit to battle on courts, set crowds gleaming
And even giving back, opening up The Picklr Introducing kids in schools to swing the tickler Never about just racking up that cheddar For Kyle sharing pickleball is as good as it gets, better!
However this next chapter goes, win or lose One thing guaranteed - it's gonna make news! So lace up your Onix, strap on your Glasses When the king declares “let’s battle,” ya'll better be ready to clash!!
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