Jack Sock made his exciting debut in the world of pickleball at the North Carolina Open in Charlotte.
Not very long ago, the American used to be ranked in the Top 10 on the ATP Tour, but recently, he made the decision to give pickleball a try. With a mixture of enthusiasm and adaptation to the rules, Sock proved that his competitive spirit extends beyond the tennis court.
In his first pickleball tournament, Sock had to adjust to a few changes, such as calling his own lines and not having a ball boy at his disposal. This didn't stop him from enjoying the experience and quickly finding his groove, as he triumphed in his first two matches. According to Sock, having another competitive outlet is a positive change.
“I was excited to play. I love competing and I still love tennis, but to have another outlet is good and this is a fun way to get out there.”
The 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist in mixed doubles had to get used to calling the lines by himself and after the match he admitted that it was not easy for him to get used to that early on, saying: “I actually forgot the first couple points (to call the ball out).”
However, Sock didn't just casually step onto the court without preparation. He has been training extensively for this new venture and is set to play in both mixed doubles with Anna Leigh Waters and men's doubles with Tyson McGuffin during the event. Despite his commitment to pickleball, Sock remains uncertain about his long-term plans and whether he will fully transition from tennis.
“Obviously, down the road I’ll be involved in pickleball and playing a good schedule. I’m not sure about next year yet. Time will tell.”
Entering the tournament as the 20th seed, Sock defeated 13th seed Anton Gudz and qualifier Naveen Beasley with relative ease. This led him to a quarterfinal showdown against 12th seed Jake Kusmider, who had already taken down higher-ranked opponents.
Sock showcased his skill in the sport by overcoming a 5-0 deficit in the first game, ultimately winning 11-9. Although he lost the second game 11-5 and trailed 10-0 in the third, he managed to close the gap to 10-7 before being defeated.
Kusmider expressed his respect for Sock's performance, admitting that he's nervous about facing him again in the future.
“I never thought I could play against him in any sport. It was a good battle out there. I’m scared to play him next time.”
Sock's decision to participate in singles matches aimed to prepare him for his doubles partnerships with Waters and McGuffin. Satisfied with his singles performance, Sock acknowledged the underestimated physical demands of the game and noted that playing singles in every tournament may not be feasible.
“I had decent expectations coming in. I wanted to get comfortable before I teamed up with Anna Leigh. I’m happy I got some matches in and will feel better going into tomorrow. People underestimate the physical side of singles. It’s tougher than people think. I’ve done a lot of running and explosive steps. Singles is a blast, but to play it at all the tournaments, is probably not going to happen.”
Despite his quarterfinal loss, Jack Sock's debut in the pickleball world showcased his adaptability and competitiveness across different sports. He's ready to keep training and show his qualities in the doubles competition.
“I felt much more comfortable in the second round. The pickle world is hyped up now and there’s expectation on me to put on a decent performance.”
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