Behind the Scenes with Pro
PRO-file by ALICE TYM
Behind the Scenes with Pro
ELSIE
Hendershot
Hometown: Mapleton, Utah Age: 13
Favorite Tournament: Palm Springs Best Shot: Backhand crosscourt dink and flick
Social Media Handle: @ leftyhendershot
You are the youngest player ever to be drafted by one of Major League Pickleball ' s top teams, the St. Louis Shock. How did you discover the sport? My parents started playing. We play as a family. I have three brothers and one sister.
Did you begin with lessons and a professional? My dad got good quickly. He saw that I could be really good. My dad still coaches me for three hours every day. My uncle Taylor was an All-American pole vaulter. He works with me each day in the gym working on weightlifting and agility. My older brother Thane hits with me every day too.
You are a high-level left-handed player. Is that an advantage? Yes, I play big on that side.
Did you play other sports before you came to pickleball? Yes, I played a lot of soccer and some tennis.
Now that you are playing MLP, there is more travel involved. How do you manage school? I am homeschooled now. A lot of my friends are pickleball players.
Who is the person you most admire? My mom. She has five kids, is very busy, and she does a great job.
Do you watch Netflix or Prime? I like scary movies. I like the show“ Lost.”
What are your fashion favorites? I like Gold Hinge. I like the way their skirts ripple. I like shoes and socks all white, but then I like to mix it up.
What attracts you to pickleball? I am very competitive. There are new things that I can learn and develop.
All the people are so nice. My best friends are all from pickleball.
You are a young player in an adult world playing adult events. How do you see your opponents? It is definitely a higher level of play. It is much more competitive than the juniors. There is less pressure when l play my own age. There is a lot of yelling in the juniors. It makes you want to win more. I have high expectations. I expect myself to get closer to the top.
What is your favorite song?“ A Thousand Years,” by Christina Perri.
What place would you like to visit? I love Asia. My dad served a mission in Korea. My family went over there for a month. It is a wonderful country.
What place would you like to visit? I love Asia. My dad served a mission in Korea. My family visited for more than a month. It ' s a wonderful country. •
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