PRO-file
By Alice Tym
Behind the Scenes with Pro
MORGAN
EVANS
Hometown : Palm Desert , CA Family status : Single
Rating : DUPR 6.56 Favorite tournament : Orange County Cup PPA in San Clemente , CA
Q : Coaching is a lucrative profession as pickleball continues to explode around the world , and you ’ ve coached some of the greatest players in the game . In the last few years , however , you ’ ve switched your attention to announcing . What is it about announcing that appeals to you ? A : I realized people love to hear an accent , and my phone had just enough battery life to get through a livestream . I like the challenge of announcing … being able to quickly decipher what has happened and explain it in a way that makes sense to people . As the game changes , so does the challenge , and I love that .
Q : Tennis Channel recently started broadcasting the PPA Tour events and hired you to be its lead analyst . What do you think gives you the edge as an announcer ? A : I made a name for myself as a professional player , which gives me credibility — that helps . I also love my work as an announcer , and I think that comes out in the broadcast . Finally , the people I work with make all the difference — my main wingman
Dave Flemming has helped me immensely .
Q : What makes a good analyst ? A : Knowledge of the game and the co-ability to explain complex things to a 6-year-old . You need to have clear communication skills .
Q : What things would make pickleball popular on TV ? A : Engaging camera angles and highlighting the personalities of the players .
Q : What is your strongest teaching skill ? A : I make learning as fun as possible . My strongest asset as a player is deception .
Q : How has pickleball evolved ? A : From a game to entertainment to a business — now as a big business with billionaires fighting with millionaires .
Q : Do you think pickleball should use rally scoring ? A : No . It probably needs to , but I hope it doesn ’ t . Television has found a way to open up airtime .
Q : What is the most important physical attribute to becoming a strong pickleball player ? A : The ape index figures into this since height is an important factor .
Your wingspan length relative to your height can be a huge advantage .
Q : Where were you born ? A : In Farnborough , UK , then we moved to Australia when I was 5 .
Q : What brought you to the States ? A : I was living in Sardinia with my girlfriend , and she kicked me out . My brother had moved here to be the director of tennis at Shadow Mountain in Palm Desert .
Q : In what country would you like to introduce pickleball ? A : Ghana . The power of the game can lift a whole community . The game helps them make their own happiness .
Q : If you were building a railroad , what two places would it connect ? A : New York City and San Diego . Live in New York once , but leave before it makes you too hard . Live in San Diego once , but leave before it makes you soft .
Q : Are you a wall builder or a bridge builder ? A : I ’ d like to say I ’ m a bridge builder , but I ’ m probably a wall builder . •