PRO-file by ALICE TYM
Behind the Scenes with Pro
KATE
FAHEY
Age: 28 Hometown: Fair Haven, New Jersey. Currently living in Charlotte,
North Carolina. Marital status: Engaged; wedding is October 4.
Rating: DUPR 5.89 doubles, 6.23 singles. Favorite tournament: PPA – Cary, North Carolina
You had an outstanding collegiate tennis career at the University of Michigan. What did tennis teach you that helps you in your professional pickleball career? I learned how to compete. Grit and tenacity. Match after match you have to dig deep. It is important to learn how to win when you are not playing your best. I have always been competitive. As a little kid I even wanted to make sure my pencil was sharper. My parents played an equal role in my development, but my competitiveness comes from my mom.
What is the difference between a tennis volley and a pickleball volley? A tennis volley uses a continental grip and is more of a cut. A pickleball volley is a swing volley. Anticipation is very important. You don’ t take that step with your left foot.
Do you think men’ s pickleball differs from women’ s pickleball as men’ s tennis differs from women’ s tennis? Yes. In men’ s singles vs. women’ s singles, men rush the net more. They are taller and have a longer reach. Women rely more on their groundstrokes. In doubles, women’ s pickleball is faster. Men do a lot of dead dinking whereas women hit more speed-ups.
I have read that you like to ride horses. You grew up in New Jersey … where did horseback riding come from? My mom grew up on a ranch in Wyoming. Dad was a barrel racer. In New Jersey I learned dressage.
What have horses taught you? It’ s important to connect with the horse. I like having a connection with my pickleball partner. You have to click. I like moving in rhythm. Tina Pisnik and I are growing as a partnership.
What was your major at Michigan, and what do you think about paying college athletes? I majored in International Relations and Business. I worked for American Express before I became a pickleball pro. The paying of college athletes is a difficult issue because they bring in a lot of money to the universities. I thought of representing my university as a privilege— it was an honor to represent the University of Michigan. First came academics then sports after.
Equipment changes really affected tennis. How big a role does the paddle have in pickleball? Huge! The paddles make a difference. Some really are powerful.
Do you have a prematch routine? Pickleball is difficult because you can be called and then have to wait. I usually distance myself. I zone out. I listen to music, especially rock and mainstream rap.
Do you recommend safety glasses when playing pickleball? Yes, I do. I’ ve seen accidents where the ball ricochets off a partner’ s paddle. You don’ t see it coming.
What advice do you have for young girls? Play team and individual sports. I love tennis but I played a lot of team sports. They help you grow as a person. It is hard to play an individual sport because you are on your own. But it teaches you a lot about yourself.
What is something no one knows about you? I am obsessed with dogs, mutts. I’ m pretty much an open book. •
80 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE. COM