the attributes to be successful across all formats ( mixed , women ’ s and singles ) and will make a significant contribution to the club in the upcoming season .”
Like many pickleball pros , Black , who lives in Delray Beach , Florida , began her career in tennis . She started playing at age 3 and eventually became a pro player , winning singles and doubles tournaments on the ITF tour . In anticipation of Tyra ’ s potential future success in tennis , her parents , Sylvester Black , who played for the Jamaican Davis Cup , and mother , Gayal , legally named her Tyra Hurricane Black . Tyra ’ s older sister , Alicia , who is also a tennis pro , is known as Tornado .
But despite Tyra Black ’ s success , she wasn ’ t happy in the sport . “ For me , tennis was not a fun atmosphere — no one wants you to succeed — so I was depressed a lot , especially when I was young . Tennis is a lonely sport — I traveled alone all over the world and was on the court by myself . I didn ’ t have strong support , so that made it especially hard .”
Then , in February , Black ’ s life took a major turn at a pro tennis tournament in Turkey . During the event , a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit , crippling the nation and killing 22,000 people . “ It was the most awful experience ,” she says . “ There was so much devastation around me . That ’ s when I realized that life is short , and you have to do what you love — and for me , it was pickleball .”
A childhood friend , James Ignatowich — who happens to be the fifth-best male pickleball player in the world — introduced her to the sport . “ James and I trained together in tennis . He taught me everything I know about pickleball and helped me so much when I got started .”
Black says she immediately felt a sense of community with pickleball . “ Everyone was so nice and welcoming — and wanted to help me . I am a happier person playing pickleball because being on the court raises my mood . I just want to be out there all day and play .
“ I love the social aspect and the team atmosphere ,” she adds . “ That ’ s why MLP is my favorite event . I love having a partner by my side . Doubles is so much fun because you have someone with you and can pump each other up on the court and give each other advice .”
Coming into pickleball , I immediately felt a sense of community — everyone wanted to help me . I am a happier person playing pickleball .”
Her ideal doubles partner , she says , is Lea Jansen . “ Lea is a vet in the sport ; she knows a lot of strategy , which is very important for me at the beginning of my career . She ’ s super-funny and lighthearted on the court , which I absolutely love .”
On the court , Black says her strong suit is her hand speed , and her favorite shot is a backhand flick : “ It ’ s a fun shot that not many players have , especially women , so most players aren ’ t expecting it .” Another winning strategy she brings to her game is the element of surprise . “ Every tournament , I try to bring out some new shots , which surprises people because my game keeps changing .”
As one of the first black women in the world to reach the top 10 in pickleball , Black hopes to bring more diversity to the sport . “ I think pickleball will become more diverse as time goes on because it ’ s super-welcoming . When I see young kids playing or parents saying I inspired their kids to want to play , that means a lot to me .”
So , what does the young star enjoy doing when she ’ s not playing pickleball ? She plays pickleball ! “ My favorite thing to do at the end of the day is play rec with other people at a local park . I train during the day and then drill a bit , and then I love to go to local parks and play with different players just for fun . I also love anything in nature — I like hiking and nature walks .”
As she quickly advances and her visibility increases , sponsors are beginning to take note . “ I ’ ve received a lot of good offers , and I ’ m so thrilled ,” Black says . Currently , she has a short-term sponsorship with Stack Athletics .
As for her tournament schedule , Black says she will be playing every MLP and PPA event . “ I might even throw some APPs in there ,” she adds .
“ I ’ ve been playing for a short time , and have put an insane amount of hours in . I just absolutely love this sport more than anything ! My goal in life is to be happy , and I ’ ve been so happy the past few months , and that ’ s been amazing .” •
Julie Talerico is editorial director at Pickleball Magazine .
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