Being a professional pickleball player certainly isn't a walk in the park.

It mandates next-level discipline behind the scenes.

Many players have quit their day jobs to pursue America's fastest-growing sport on a full-time basis, and their schedules are more jammed than ever before.

Case in point, Hannah Blatt and her boyfriend, Grayson Goldin, spend the bulk of their respective days on the pickleball court instead of inside an office building at a computer.

“Honestly, we’re on the court two to three times a day and in the gym once a day,” said Blatt. “I try to do Pilates twice a week. But every day from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., we’re hitting. Then, we get lunch, go back to the court, and hit again until about 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. After that, we go home. I cook dinner, he does the dishes, and we lay low. Then, we do the same thing the next morning, get up early and go.” 

So, what exactly are they focused on improving on the 20x44?

“We like to mix it up. We’ll do singles, mixed, and doubles drills and practice games. For singles, it’s a lot of feeding each other different things we’re trying to individually work on,” explained Blatt. “For doubles, we’ll try and drill with three people and get different sequences going or run repetition of common easy shots.” 

The grind, however, doesn’t stop there. No matter the amount of drilling, practice, and participation in tournaments, there are always specific shots, strategies and patterns that need to be meticulously honed.

Blatt is seeking to be more aggressive in mixed. 

“A lot of girls in mixed are very stable and consistent. That’s obviously important, but it’s nice when you have a girl who’s able to be aggressive as well, pull the trigger, and sit on a shot,” she mentioned. “Of course, that comes with errors, so I’m trying to work on being aggressive, but consistent.” 

Blatt and Goldin spend so much time on the court that they know each other’s game better than anyone.

With that in mind, Goldin gladly assumes a coaching role.

“He’s really helped me with my forehand. He’s a tennis player, so his biggest weapon is his forehand,” shared Blatt. “Lately, he’s been trying to break down my forehand drive and teach me a different technique that’s been helping me a lot.” 

The coaching position easily translates to busy tournament days as well.

Goldin is always sitting courtside for Blatt’s matches for advice and support, and even caring for her French bulldog, Charlie, while she's going head-to-head with pickleball's top athletes.

“It’s really special. He understands the game very analytically, and he’s very observant. Having him on my side coaching me is helpful. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment if I’m losing, I don’t want to hear it, but he’s very patient with me, which is important,” explained Blatt. “Just knowing that even if it’s a good or a bad day, he’s right there, and that makes a huge difference. This is a lonely sport with all the traveling and it’s tough. Losing or winning, it’s nice knowing you have that person who’s right there when you get off the court.”

Blatt and Goldin actually met on the court. And after playing pickleball together, they quickly realized they had off-court chemistry as well.

To read about how Goldin won Blatt's heart, click here. 

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