Pickleball Milano had the chance to meet a pickleball pioneer from the United States: Alex Simon, a former number two in the American singles Champions Tour/DUPR rankings. He competed full-time in the PPA and APP Champions circuits, earning numerous medals. Alex currently resides in Las Vegas, where he coaches various high-level players (including Andre Agassi), but he also travels around the world for pickleball clinics, like the one held in Biella, Italy, in 2024.

Alex, like with other interviewees from Pickleball Milano, can we start by discussing how you got into pickleball?

Sure. I started playing four years ago, coinciding with the opening of pickleball courts near my home. I come from tennis, which I played competitively at the university level. My tennis background helped me excel in singles. In pickleball, singles is much closer to tennis compared to doubles.

Speaking of singles, why do you think pickleball is the only racket sport where doubles and singles are played on the same court dimensions, without separate lines?

I think the inventors of pickleball in the 1960s simply didn’t consider it, and that’s how it stayed. Since most pickleball games – even at the professional level – focus on doubles, this unique aspect of singles, sharing the same court dimensions, tends to go unnoticed.

You come from tennis. What’s your take on “bangers,” players who hit hard and flat whenever they can?

At the pro level, some players are bangers (Jack Sock, for example). They also benefit from the latest paddle technology, which offers more power. For pros, it’s a strategic choice that can sometimes pay off. For beginners, however, the hard and flat shot is more of a necessity. The alternative, the drop shot, is a difficult and non-intuitive skill for newcomers.

Speaking of beginners, they need lessons to improve. Is the same true for high-level players?

Absolutely. I currently coach several promising young players, including Luke Ness, and for several months now, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. But I also enjoy training instructors. Even coaches need to improve. Coaching the coaches is something I love doing and where I feel I can make a difference. It’s a crucial activity because the number of players worldwide is growing exponentially, but the number of instructors doesn’t always keep up. For example, in Brazil, there are thousands of players, but the Pickleball Federation was only recently established. In other words, the infrastructure of pickleball, including instructors, often struggles to keep pace with the growth in player numbers.

True, the number of players is growing. Do you think we’ll eventually see tournaments in arenas and on television?

That’s a question many people ask. My view is that pickleball is unlikely to become a sport with a massive spectator following. Its appeal lies not in its spectacle but in its inclusivity. It’s suitable for all ages and skill levels. Everyone loves playing it more than watching it. That said, I also believe it will become an Olympic sport in a few years, and high-level tournaments will attract a significant audience.

Will we see more travel opportunities that include pickleball matches? This already happens with padel, and I’ve noticed some organized trips where vacations include pickleball games.

Yes, this aspect has already begun and will grow. Currently, there are programs like this in Mexico and the Caribbean, popular with Americans. I also know of travel agencies receiving requests for vacations that include pickleball opportunities.

Two last quick questions. What’s it like coaching Andre Agassi? And which paddle do you use?

I met Agassi almost a year ago. He sent me a text message, and an hour later, we were on the court playing. We both mostly live in Las Vegas, and I coach him regularly. Agassi takes pickleball seriously. He doesn’t play tournaments, but if he did, he’d be in the top ten in the over-50 category. Sometimes, Steffi Graf trains with us as well. My paddle? Recently, I’ve been using a Joola Perseus 16 mm. I’ll bring it to Italy for the clinic in Biella on June 15–16.