Rising Tennis Star Rachel Rohrabacher Blazes a Trail in Pickleball
Former NCAA Champion Embraces New Challenge, Eyes No. 1 Doubles Ranking
Rachel Rohrabacher's journey from the tennis courts to the pickleball arena has been nothing short of meteoric. The former University of South Carolina standout, who once ranked No. 9 in the nation in doubles, has seamlessly transitioned to the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, quickly establishing herself as one of the top players on the professional circuit.
1. 00:00, Introduction
In a recent interview with the Zero Zero Start podcast, Rohrabacher opened up about her remarkable rise in pickleball, her transition from tennis, and her ambitious goals for the future. With an infectious enthusiasm and a competitive fire that burns as bright as ever, the 26-year-old is determined to leave an indelible mark on her new sport.
2. 1:24, How did you get into pickleball and what is your tennis background?
Rohrabacher's path to pickleball stardom began on the tennis courts, where she first picked up a racket at the age of six. After a successful junior career, she earned a scholarship to play Division I tennis at the University of South Carolina, where she excelled in both singles and doubles. Despite battling injuries early in her college career, Rohrabacher persevered, setting records and helping her team capture a championship in her senior year.
3. 4:45, Does switching sports rejuvenate you and help with burnout?
While tennis will always hold a special place in her heart, Rohrabacher admits that the burnout she experienced after her collegiate career led her to explore new avenues. "I just needed a little bit of a break," she confessed. "When tennis and coaching were intertwined, it was still burnout." Pickleball, with its fast-paced action and growing popularity, provided the perfect outlet for Rohrabacher's competitive spirit, allowing her to reignite her passion for a racket sport without the baggage of her tennis past.
4. 7:45, How is pickleball training different compared to tennis?
One of the most significant differences Rohrabacher has encountered in her transition to pickleball is the training regimen. In tennis, she relied heavily on coaches to guide her development and hone her skills. In pickleball, however, the coaching resources are still relatively scarce, forcing Rohrabacher to take a more self-directed approach. "The practices day-to-day are up to me," she explained, "and the drilling sessions and organizing and finding people to hit with – it's just me on the court."
5. 9:15, Do you watch film? How do you figure out what needs to be improved?
Rohrabacher's self-awareness and willingness to learn have been instrumental in her rapid ascent in pickleball. She embraces the power of video analysis, carefully studying her matches to identify areas for improvement. "I think watching myself like I've noticed something recently that has just crept in that I'm like, 'What am I doing?' that I would never have really known if I didn't watch," she revealed.
6. 11:11, Memes of pickleball
With pickleball's growing popularity comes increased scrutiny, and Rohrabacher has found herself the subject of good-natured memes and social media ribbing. Far from being deterred, she takes it all in stride, viewing it as a sign of her rising stature in the sport. "I think that's a sign that you made it if you if you hit the memes page," she quipped.
7. 12:38, MLP Draft Day
One of the highlights of Rohrabacher's pickleball journey thus far was being drafted by the DC Pickleball Team in the 2024 Major League Pickleball (MLP) Draft. While the experience was a whirlwind, with texts and calls flooding in as her name was announced, Rohrabacher quickly shifted her focus to strategizing with her new teammates and mapping out a plan for success.
8. 14:19, What's the first thing you did when you found out you got drafted?
Rachel’s reaction was a whirlwind of emotions, a blend of excitement, relief, and anticipation for the future. As soon as she saw the text from James Ignatowich confirming her selection, her first instinct was to connect with her loved ones. However, the fast-paced nature of the draft meant she had to quickly shift gears from celebration to strategic planning. She immediately hopped on a call with the DC Pickleball Team’s management to discuss strategy. “I wanted to say my piece on what direction and strategy I would like to go with the rest of the team,” Rachel shared.9. 15:55, Do you see yourself not playing pickleball in the near future? What is your long-term goal?
While Rohrabacher's pickleball career is still in its early stages, she has no plans to step away from the sport anytime soon. "I'm gonna ride this thing out as long as possible," she declared. "I'm having such a great time." Her long-term goal is lofty but well within her sights: to become the No. 1 women's doubles team and continue improving in mixed doubles.
10. 17:00, Mental health in pro pickleball
As a former student of mental health counseling, Rohrabacher is keenly aware of the psychological toll that comes with being a professional athlete. She hopes to one day combine her passion for pickleball with her educational background, perhaps serving as a mental health coach or counselor for players on the tour. "I think that would be really cool, to kind of stay in pickleball but just a different role," she mused.
11. 19:50, What is your goal for the rest of 2024?
For the remainder of the 2024 season, Rohrabacher's focus is on maintaining patience and consistency. While her rise has been swift, she understands the importance of managing expectations and taking things one day at a time. "Just remembering to stay patient and just try to stay consistent with what I'm doing, I think is just the most important thing for me right now," she said.
As Rachel Rohrabacher continues to blaze a trail in the world of pickleball, her infectious enthusiasm, unwavering determination, and deep well of experience in high-level competition position her as a force to be reckoned with. With her sights set on the No. 1 doubles ranking and a burning desire to leave her mark on the sport, it's clear that this rising star's journey has only just begun.
Article Summary
From Tennis Courts to Pickleball Prominence: Rachel Rohrabacher's Rapid Rise
In the rapidly evolving landscape of professional sports, one name has been making waves and turning heads: Rachel Rohrabacher. The 26-year-old former collegiate tennis standout has seamlessly transitioned to the world of pickleball, quickly establishing herself as one of the top players on the professional circuit.
Rohrabacher's journey to pickleball stardom began on the tennis courts, where she honed her skills from a young age. After a successful junior career, she earned a scholarship to play Division I tennis at the University of South Carolina, where she excelled in both singles and doubles, setting records and helping her team capture a championship.
However, the grind of high-level tennis eventually took its toll, and Rohrabacher found herself battling burnout after her collegiate career. It was then that she stumbled upon pickleball, a sport that offered a fresh challenge and reignited her competitive spirit.
"I just needed a little bit of a break," Rohrabacher explained. "When tennis and coaching were intertwined, it was still burnout. Pickleball, with its fast-paced action and growing popularity, provided the perfect outlet for me to compete again without the baggage of my tennis past."
Rohrabacher's transition to pickleball hasn't been without its challenges, particularly when it comes to training. In tennis, she relied heavily on coaches to guide her development and hone her skills. In pickleball, however, the coaching resources are still relatively scarce, forcing her to take a more self-directed approach.
"The practices day-to-day are up to me," she said, "and the drilling sessions and organizing and finding people to hit with – it's just me on the court."
Despite these hurdles, Rohrabacher's self-awareness and willingness to learn have been instrumental in her rapid ascent in pickleball. She embraces the power of video analysis, carefully studying her matches to identify areas for improvement, and has even found herself the subject of good-natured memes and social media ribbing – a sign, she says, that she's "made it" in the sport.
One of the highlights of Rohrabacher's pickleball journey thus far was being drafted by the DC Pickleball Team in the 2024 Major League Pickleball (MLP) Draft. Amid the excitement of draft day, her first instinct was to get on a call with her new teammates and start strategizing for success.
Looking ahead, Rohrabacher has no plans to step away from pickleball anytime soon. "I'm gonna ride this thing out as long as possible," she declared. "I'm having such a great time." Her long-term goal? To become the No. 1 women's doubles team and continue improving in mixed doubles.
As a former student of mental health counseling, Rohrabacher also hopes to one day combine her passion for pickleball with her educational background, perhaps serving as a mental health coach or counselor for players on the tour.
With her infectious enthusiasm, unwavering determination, and deep well of experience in high-level competition, Rachel Rohrabacher is a force to be reckoned with in the world of pickleball. Her meteoric rise serves as a testament to the power of embracing new challenges and finding joy in the journey, no matter where it leads.
- 00:00: Introduction
- 1:24: How did you get into pickleball and what is your tennis background?
- 4:45: Does switching sports rejuvenate you and help with burnout?
- 7:45: How is pickleball training different compared to tennis?
- 9:15: Do you watch film? How do you figure out what needs to be improved?
- 11:11: Memes of pickleball
- 12:38: MLP Draft Day
- 14:19: What's the first thing you did when you found out you got drafted?
- 15:55: Do you see yourself not playing pickleball in the near future? What is your long-term goal?
- 17:00: Mental health in pro pickleball
- 19:50: What is your goal for the rest of 2024?
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