Grayson Goldin and Hannah Blatt, professional pickleball players, discovered not only their perfect mixed doubles chemistry on the court but also a blossoming relationship off it. The duo, who met on a Florida pickleball court, have been dating for nearly a year and continue competing in pro tournaments.
“I didn’t want to play with anyone until I thought they were a good partner because the dynamics are so different in mixed.” – (Grayson Goldin)
Goldin initially hesitated to play mixed doubles due to the challenges of finding the right partner. However, everything changed when he met Blatt.
“We started playing mixed together and we just had good chemistry, which transferred over to real life, too. Then, we played an APP tournament together and we made it out of the qualifying round for the first time and she hadn’t made it out of qualies before. We started beating good teams in the bracket, and it was just history from there.” – (Grayson Goldin)
Their first success came during an APP tournament, where they made it out of the qualifying round and began defeating stronger teams.
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The Key to Mixed Doubles Chemistry
Goldin credits their success to strong communication and a shared understanding of the game. He also shared lighthearted advice for those looking to impress on the court.
“I say you’ve got to have a big forehand. That’s the key. And you want to be dominant on the court and take up space because that’s the dynamic of the mixed game.” – (Grayson Goldin)
“I say you’ve got to have a big forehand,” he said, emphasizing the importance of being dominant and confident during play. His broader advice for connecting with a partner?
“All in all, be yourself out there and be authentic. Play how you normally do, and don’t ever try to be someone you’re not. It’s not going to work if you’re not being you.” – (Grayson Goldin)
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Balancing a Relationship and Pro Competition
The couple acknowledges the unique challenges of competing as both teammates and partners. Goldin admitted that their comfort level can sometimes lead to unfiltered communication during matches.
“It’s relatively fresh, so maybe that’s why we’re able to play together right now. But, I have noticed it gets harder because I think we say things that we wouldn’t normally say to strangers that we say to our loved ones because we feel comfortable around them.” – (Grayson Goldin)
“We say the first thing that comes to our mind without a filter sometimes,” he said, noting how this dynamic adds intensity to their competitive play.
“When you’re more comfortable with that person, there’s more pressure because you want to win and we’re playing a competitive pro sport. We can put added pressure on our significant others because we don’t want to disappoint them, we want to play well, and we want to win together.” – (Grayson Goldin)
Despite the challenges, both players cherish the opportunity to travel and play together.
“We get to travel together, and it’s honestly amazing to be able to do this together. She’s always got my back on the bench when I’m playing. It’s really cool to have that support.” – (Grayson Goldin)
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Looking Ahead
Goldin and Blatt’s journey as a couple and as teammates continues to evolve as they navigate the pressures of professional pickleball.
Their story highlights the rewards and difficulties of balancing love and competition, but their focus remains on growing on and off the court.
News in Brief: Grayson Goldin and Hannah Blatt
Grayson Goldin and Hannah Blatt, professional pickleball players, share a strong connection on and off the court. While balancing love and competition has its challenges, their chemistry has led to success in mixed doubles and a deeper bond as a couple. They remain focused on supporting one another and growing together.
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