Audrey Banada’s Pickleball Journey: Audrey Banada, also known as “Pickleballmama,” is a professional pickleball player and mother of three. In April 2023, she made headlines by defeating top pros Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright in doubles. Banada balances her career while supporting her children, MJ, AJ, and Zariah, who are all involved in pickleball.
How Audrey Banada’s Family Started Playing Pickleball
Audrey Banada’s pickleball journey began thanks to her brother, Val Banada. He was playing with a family friend named Chris in Miami. When Audrey visited, Chris encouraged her to try the sport. At the time, her youngest child, Zariah, was only 1.5 years old, so she wasn’t focused on pickleball yet.
By May 2022, Audrey was fully committed to the game. She introduced pickleball to her husband, Alex, and the kids. Soon, the children were playing as much as she was. AJ got serious about tournaments, and MJ left his travel baseball team to focus on pickleball. “The kids still joke, ‘Yeah, we were like, where’s Ma going all the time?’” Audrey said. Her husband plays when he can and supports the family.
Memorable Moments Playing With Her Kids
One of Audrey Banada’s best memories is watching her sons, AJ and MJ, compete as a team for the first time. At the Atlantic City Open in September 2022, the brothers played in the 3.5 19+ Doubles division. They were probably the youngest team but won the gold medal.
Audrey recalls, “I watched them on center court, taking their final time-out as Rob Cassidy gave them the play, and AJ bravely executed it for the win.” At that time, AJ was 13, MJ was 10, and their youngest sister, Zariah, was asleep nearby.
What Pickleball Means for Audrey Banada and Her Family
Playing and sharing pickleball with her children is very important to Audrey Banada. She says it is “the biggest blessing.” Unlike Audrey’s own childhood, her kids get to see her compete and win. After beating one of the best teams in pickleball, Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright, in April 2024, her children realized that anything is possible.
She adds, “Being able to build that belief in them is more than I could ever ask for.” Their family bond has grown stronger through competing, winning, and even losing together. They have traveled across the country as a family, just like Audrey did as a junior player with her brother and father, who was her coach. Competing with her kids at high levels is a dream Audrey cherishes. “We lean on each other, and we’ve built a family life around something we all love — it’s priceless.”
Audrey Banada’s story shows how pickleball can bring families together. Her success on the court and her close family ties highlight the growing role of pickleball as a sport and a way to build strong relationships.
News in Brief: Audrey Banada’s Pickleball Journey
Audrey Banada, known as “Pickleballmama,” beat top pros Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright in 2023. She is a mom of three, with her sons AJ and MJ excelling in pickleball. Audrey’s family shares a deep love for the game, traveling and competing together nationwide.
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