PRO-file by ALICE TYM
Behind the Scenes with Pro
MEGAN
FUDGE
Megan with her husband Ryler and their children Lily , 9 , and JR , 8 .
Marital Status : Married to Ryler DeHeart ; two children , JR , 8 , and Lily , 9 Hometown : Full-time RVer now , but born in Germany
Collegiate Career : Played tennis for the University of Illinois , majoring in Sports Management and Communications
Ranking : # 1 on The APP Tour Favorite Tournament : US Open and International Monsoon Open in Mumbai , India
You were a standout tennis player for the University of Illinois . Do you still play ? Three years ago , I started playing pickleball . My husband was a tennis pro and we started playing pickleball because it was so much fun to play as a couple . We started playing Tuesday nights , then Thursday , then Saturday — it was just way more fun . But tennis was an identity for my husband . He was in the top 200 in the world . The pickleball players were just too good not to be all in . We became pickleball pros and left tennis .
What is the most important thing your college tennis coach ever told you ? My coach , Michelle Dasso , was a competitor . She believed in never being out of the fight . I never give up .
What is your best shot in pickleball ? My two-handed backhand . It comes from tennis , but there are things I had to unlearn from tennis . I was a chip-andcharge player . Now I use more topspin than I did in tennis . I use the continental grip less than I did in tennis .
Growing up in Germany , what values did you acquire from the culture ? They have an incredible work ethic . Attention to detail . Never be late .
What ’ s the most beautiful sound you ’ ve ever heard ? My kids ’ laughter brings joy to me .
Do you train outside of playing ? I do train off the court and work out in a gym . I use the app by Dr . Erik Korem called Aim7 to work on my strength and explosiveness .
In what direction is pickleball headed ? Predict the future for me . Global growth is the next big thing . Growth is Asia is insane . Australia , India , China are all growing . I went to seven cities in China in June for two weeks . I ’ ll be in Vietnam and Thailand in December . I do workshops and play tournaments . Pickleball needs to expand more in Europe . I have done workshops in Germany . The infrastructure is more influenced by padel .
Do you like rally scoring ? I am not opposed to it if it gains fans . The APP Tour used it in singles . It shortens the game .
What changes would you like to see on the pro tour ? Efficient drug testing and paddle testing . Line calling by camera or a method to get it right so that it takes the pressure off the players .
If you had a signature custom paddle made , what would you name it ? The Fudgsicle .
What is the best book you ’ ve read ? “ Stay Hard ” by David Goggins . There is some foul language , but it is his story of mental toughness .
If one color defined your life , what would it be ? Green . I feel connected and balanced . Green connects me to the world .
What person most influenced your character ? My mom . Growing up she traveled with me . She took me all over Europe and cheered me on . She was there to catch me too .
What ’ s the one thing no one knows about you ? I went to boarding school at 15 . I went to Millfield in the U . K . to expand my tennis . It was like Harry Potter ’ s Hogwarts . England has a deep-seated tradition in sports and sportsmanship . •
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