PRO-file by ALICE TYM
Behind the Scenes with Pro
MICHAEL
LOYD
Age : 26 Hometown : Austin , Texas
Marital status : Single Skill / rating : 6.5
Favorite tournament : PPA World Championships in Dallas Best shot : Serve
You worked on the corporate side of pickleball for Head before becoming a tour pro . What do you see as the future of pickleball from a business standpoint ? I see more and more indoor facilities , memberships , more indoor tournaments . Currently Austin is building courts in different suburbs catering to different markets . Location is very important to the profitability of a facility .
What drew you to the tour ? I wanted the ability to compete . It was a dream to compete professionally . An opportunity for travel and to meet lots of people . I had played collegiate tennis , and this was a way to reach out .
What ’ s your advice to young players ? Make sure you don ’ t limit yourself . Don ’ t just become a right-side or left-side player . Compete in different sports . Become a well-rounded athlete .
What changes would you make on the tour ? I would make every facility spectatorfriendly . There should be ease of access to players not just on the showcase court . Dallas has great courts , and the Legacy in Mesa .
What is causing your star to rise ? A combination of things . I have been putting in a lot of work . Ty Woody is helping me . I dropped 12 pounds . I have had a mindset shift to not just work , work , work . I am having fun . Austin has become a pickleball Mecca . I have so many good players to train with including Dekel Bar , Ben Johns , Zane Navratil , Julian Arnold , Hunter Johnson . These players have taught me what to work on , to know my strengths and weaknesses .
There are a lot of shot choices in pickleball . How do you make the right decisions ? I watch film of myself . I study what shot has the higher percentage for me . I look at film of my opponent . I set up my phone on the court to video my play . I want to match my strengths against my opponent ’ s weaknesses .
In pickleball , so often players get to 9 or 10 points and then they can ’ t finish the match . How do you learn to finish each match ? I examine what I have done to get to the finish line . I examine the portfolio that I have built . At that point it is not necessary to play shots that you are not confident about making .
You like playing on center court and playing to the crowd . You have more than 30 tattoos . What is your message ? I love the pressure of a packed house — all eyes on me , give them a good show , have a good time , make it enjoyable for everyone . My tattoos are conversation starters . They are a time stamp of different moments . My faith plays a huge role in my competitive career . I have somebody to bounce off ideas . I believe in a living God . I was chasing happiness and now there is ever-apparent joy . I am lucky to have all I have .
What is your favorite tattoo ? On my left bicep I have “ fruit of the spirit ” on a juice box .
Do you have a favorite color to wear on the court ? Yes , I like to wear lavender .
What is your favorite Bible verse ? Proverbs 16:32 . I have it tattooed on my left arm . “ Better he who is patient …” •
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