Like so many senior players who bask in the glow of the ever-brightening spotlight of pickleball , Eva Welsher ’ s ascension in the sport began with a childhood love of tennis . Once ranked as one of the top juniors in the country , the 57-year-old mother of two grown sons earned a scholarship to Northwestern , the Wildcats boasting one of college ’ s elite programs . “ As a junior tennis player , I traveled the country from 12 years old on . In those days , I would travel
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with my doubles partner and got housing at each tournament , which would never happen these days . I was heavily recruited and offered a tennis scholarship to Northwestern and we won Big Ten titles and were consistently one of the top collegiate teams in the country ,” recalled Welsher , who was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms , Michigan .
A torn rotator cuff in college ended a promising tennis career but didn ’ t deter Welsher from eventually excelling again on a court , this time
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pickleball . “ When I found pickleball , I felt like I had a do-over and could pursue pickleball on my terms ,” she said . “ I would own the process , the journey and the results . I just got tunnel vision and decided I wanted to be the best I could be .”
To be the best at anything necessitates patience , drive and determination — qualities that are firmly in place and clearly separate Welsher from many other competitors .
“ Pickleball literally fell in my lap . It was an unexpected but welcome
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PHOTOS BY BRUCE YEUNG ; IG : @ YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY |