Let's be honest: pickleball can be incredibly frustrating. I’m putting it out there because I know I’m not alone. Anyone who's tried to learn a new skill, whether it's a sport, cooking, or building something, understands that progress isn’t always linear. Some days, it clicks; other days, you just shake your head in disbelief. And yes, there's also a thing called "pickleball politics," which we'll delve into later.

Since my last pickleball blog post (which you can find here: https://www.douglascoombslife.com/blog/the-life-of-a-amateur-pickleball-player-), I've been immersed in the world of pickleball, participating in recreational games and a few tournaments.

Tournament Tales: Mississauga and Oshawa

My regular partner, MD (aka the Pickleball Princess), and I competed in the GTA Open in Mississauga. We had a decent run, winning two matches and losing one in our pool, which allowed us to advance to the medal round. Although we lost in that round to a good team, it was a match we felt was potentially winnable. Our initial loss in the pool was to the eventual tournament champions, who proved to be a dominant force. So, overall, not a bad experience.

However, my next tournament experience was less successful. Teaming up with DD, the Pickleball Princess's husband, we ventured to Oshawa for the Hisports Durham men’s doubles tournament. Unfortunately, neither of us performed well, so there was plenty of blame to go around.

Stuck in a Pickle: Frustration and Pickleball IQ

What's particularly frustrating is that my pickleball IQ seems to have plateaued. While I don’t get nervous during play, I struggle with the patience required, especially in competitive events. The urge to end points quickly often backfires against more experienced players. In our first match, I missed several routine returns, which is uncharacteristic.

For those unfamiliar, pickleball has a rating system called DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating). It's a complex algorithm that considers various factors like wins, losses, and game scores. You create an account, and your performance generates a score. Winning raises your score, while losing lowers it (and can lead to some post-game blues!). I began the last tournament with a 3.7 DUPR, but after four losses, it dropped to 3.5, while my club rating is 4.0.

This leads to the frustrating question: Do I actually “suck?” It's a tough question many athletes grapple with.

Despite the setbacks, I remain committed to improving and plan to continue competing until I find my rhythm. I have several upcoming tournaments with different partners, and I’m hopeful that these experiences will help me progress.

Pickleball Politics: Navigating Ratings and Egos

Managing ego's. That can be interesting. When joining a club or entering a tournament, players need to have a rating, which could be an official DUPR rating or a self-assessment. This is where things can get tricky.

In my short experience, some players overestimate their abilities, which can create imbalances in games. This can lead to frustration and, in some cases, cause better players to seek out more competitive environments. Last summer, I played with a local group where many players rated themselves as 3.5 or 3.75, but I've since realized that many of them weren't actually at that level.

Often, this overrating stems from a desire to play with stronger players and avoid being left behind. I want to emphasize that I don’t intend to sound like a pickleball snob. Everyone starts somewhere, and playing, especially with better players, is crucial for improvement.

Pickleball IQ: It's Not Just About Being Smart

I recently heard a term that I think perfectly captures a key element of pickleball: "pickleball IQ. " It's not about intelligence in the traditional sense. Instead, it refers to the ability to make sound decisions in various situations and having the confidence to execute unique pickleball shots. Tennis players transitioning to pickleball often improve quickly, but they need to adjust their approach. As I've learned, you have to moderate your power and avoid hitting the ball with excessive force. The court is smaller, the paddle is different, and patience is essential. It took me six months to grasp this concept, and I still have a long way to go, which explains some of my tournament struggles.

Rating Challenges at the Club Level

Rating issues also exist at my club. We're about to welcome a group of new, unrated members, which creates uncertainty about where they fit in. Hopefully, they'll find their place and enjoy the experience. Additionally, some existing members have "frozen" club ratings, and there's debate about whether they should move up, with some having clearly improved while others may not have. The club is working on a plan to address these issues, but it will take time, and there will likely be some challenges along the way.

I was recently moved up to a 4.0 club rating, which I consider myself a "soft" 4.0. I can compete with many 4.0-rated players, but some are undoubtedly better. Many of the current 3.75-rated players can also play competitively with the 4.0s, so the system has the potential to work. The question remains whether the 4.0-rated players will be willing to play with those they perceive as weaker, or if everyone will simply stick to their own separate games, preventing any real resolution.

Exciting Expansion on the Horizon

On a positive note, my club, the Jar, is expanding significantly, adding four new courts soon and another four in early summer, for a total of 12 courts. This expansion will create more opportunities for play, more diverse competition, and more programming, including potential external events.

If you've made it this far, you might think this all sounds like a soap opera. But despite the challenges and frustrations, I genuinely enjoy playing pickleball and I’m still dedicated to mastering this complex and fascinating game.