USA Pickleball JUNIOR SPOTLIGHT
ALIX
TRUONG
By Hope Tolley
Alix Truong , 16 , is an up-and-coming junior player who is finding success on the court and developing a love of pickleball . Despite initially not being too keen on pickleball , her early achievements coupled with encouragement from her father , as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on high school sports , convinced her to pursue it .
As a testament to her skill and determination , Alix has competed in 32 tournaments in the last 16 months and has won 21 gold , 10 silver and five bronze medals . Most recently , she won two golden tickets to Nationals by winning gold in 5.0 women ’ s doubles and 5.0 women ’ s singles at the Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament .
Alix discovered pickleball through a family friend who introduced the sport to her dad in 2018 . After playing for only a short time , Alix ’ s father encouraged her and her brother to play in a local sports league ( Legends Sports League ). She was able to win the league and attributes her tennis background to getting her through that initial league experience .
Alix didn ’ t pick up a paddle again until a year later , in 2019 , and early in 2020 when her dad entered them into a local 4.0 mixed doubles tournament . Despite not playing for a while , they won the tournament and beat some seasoned players along the way .
By March of 2020 , COVID-19 was having a major impact nationwide and prematurely ended Alix ’ s high school tennis season . She began to play more pickleball since it was more accessible and easier to play with family friends .
Although the pandemic created unprecedented experiences for so many , it has provided her family an opportunity to play more pickleball
and to meet many new friends . It definitely has become a family affair , with her mom starting to play as well as her brother , who is becoming a more seasoned player and has secured a sponsor .
When asked about others within pickleball who have inspired her , Alix points to Anna Leigh Waters and William Sobek as players she initially started watching . Alix enjoys playing pickleball with her father and loved that both Anna Leigh and William played with their parents and have experienced great success . Additionally , she looks up to Simone Jardim with great adoration for the example she sets on and off the court , and is proud to be included in the Simone Jardim Foundation .
Alix also enjoys following Team Europe , Jay Devilliers and Pat Smith in men ’ s doubles , Lauren Stratman and Lea Jensen in women ’ s doubles , and brother / sister team Riley and Lindsey Newman in mixed doubles .
When not on the court , Alix enjoys working in social media marketing / management by creating content ideas for Pickleball By Pros and the Simone Jardim Foundation . She attends George C . Marshall High School in Falls Church , Virginia , and is sponsored by Prince Pickleball , Simone Jardim Foundation , Nike Pickleball Camps , Jigsaw Health and Pickleball By Pros .
Alix ’ s ultimate goal is to inspire and share her knowledge of the sport with the future generation of players . She is looking forward to competing at Nationals later this year and wants to continue traveling the country competing on tour alongside other pros .
In addition to Nationals , Alix looks forward to competing in the open / pro divisions at the Gamma Classic , APP Chicago , APP Philadelphia , PPA Denver , PPA Las Vegas and more . •