KARINA LAM
12, Litchfield Park, Arizona
Karina isn’ t ranked this year because she chose to play in adult tournaments in the 34U bracket. She and her partner, 15-year-old Molly Ticknor, took home silver in 4.5 women’ s doubles in Mesa, Arizona, in February. Karina and 14-year-old Lex Mercado won bronze in 4.5 mixed doubles in March in St. George, Utah.“ I like the competitiveness of the sport and that I am able to compete in tournaments at a higher level against adults,” she says.
Off-court hobby: Karina is an excellent violinist and one of a select few from her school chosen to perform at a regional honors music festival this past April.
All in the family: Karina’ s brothers also play. Jayden, 17, is a 5.3 player and Kody, 14, is a 4.7. Expect to hear more from these players in the near future. And maybe someday the world will hear about them. They all say that if pickleball becomes an Olympic sport, they would love to play in the Games.
JAYDA MALDONADO
15, Crown Point, Indiana
Jayda is ranked No. 1 in Junior PPA 16U girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Her DUPR is 4.450 in singles, and 5.035 in doubles. Jayda was a good goalkeeper on a travel soccer team, but had bruised her left knee and quit soccer, then discovered pickleball and instantly fell in love with it. Favorite activity besides pickleball: Jayda loves to dance.“ I study different types of dancing. Hip-hop is my favorite.”
Interesting family note: Jayda’ s dad, Alex, sold his barbershop recently so he could drive Jayda to tournaments.“ Life is short, and I realized that Jayda was missing out on playing opportunities and I didn’ t want that for her.”
ADYM PHAM
11, Costa Mesa, California
This rising 7th grader turns 12 in August and is ranked No. 1 in boys singles and mixed doubles, and No. 2 in boys doubles. As of mid- June, Adym had medaled in 13 consecutive events.“ I want to eventually turn pro and become the No. 1 player in the world,” he says.
Musically inclined: Adym loves to sing and performed a solo at his school’ s graduation ceremony recently. He also plays the piano.
What’ s in a name? Adym’ s father, Dang, says Adym is spelled with a“ y” because Adym spelled backward is“ Myda,” and that’ s his 13-year-old sister’ s name. Myda is also a highly ranked player. Their dad is a 4.5.“ He’ s all right,” Adym says, jokingly. REX THAIS
15, Jacksonville, Florida
Rex is ranked No. 1 in Junior PPA 16U boys singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. His DUPR is 5.0. Rex is known for his colorful on-court outfits and shouts of joy after he makes a winning shot. He is a straight-A student, member of the National Junior Honor Society, and takes college courses at the University of North Florida.
Commendable quote:“ Part of my mission is to spread the love of youth pickleball all over the world and get kids off their devices and outside exercising.” •
Matthew Schwartz spent 40 years in television news and won more than 200 awards, including four Emmys and four Edward R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting. His 2020 memoir,“ Confessions of an Investigative Reporter,” was an Amazon # 1 bestseller. He writes a weekly blog for Hudef Sport and plays pickleball every day.
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