Jack Munro’s Pickleball Journey: Jack Munro, a top professional pickleball player, reveals the most important advice for players who want to improve quickly and go pro. From finding the right group of players to building a strong personal brand, Munro explains the steps he wishes he had known earlier in his career.
Two years ago, Jack Munro played in one of his first professional tournaments in New York but didn’t even qualify. Just one year later, he won that same tournament.
Now, he holds more than 20 A-level medals and was the second overall pick in the Major League Pickleball (MLP) Challenger division last season. Here is his advice on how he climbed the ranks and what you can do to follow his path.
Surround Yourself with Better Players
Munro’s first big tip is to always play with better players. If you are the best player in your group, your growth will stop because you won’t be challenged enough. Munro says the best place to be is the second weakest player in your group.
This way, you get invited to games more often and don’t feel pressured when stronger players join. When Munro moved to Austin, Texas, he found that playing with better players helped him improve the fastest, even though he felt like the weakest player at first.
Watch Your Own Game Film Regularly
Watching your own games on video is one of Munro’s biggest secrets to improving fast. He recommends recording yourself and carefully noting your mistakes.
This helps players see patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, similar to how watching speeches can help with public speaking. Although it might feel strange to set up a camera at first, Munro says it is worth it because you learn so much from watching yourself play.
Network and Build Relationships
Munro stresses that talent is important, but having access to better players and opportunities is even more crucial. He encourages players to network online and in person.
At tournaments or local games, don’t just sit alone on your phone — introduce yourself, offer to drill with others, or make content together. This helps build connections, find better partners, and even attract sponsors.
Create a Strong Social Media Presence
Having a social media presence is vital for any player who wants to go pro. Munro points out that many pros are just names with no online presence, which limits their opportunities.
A personal brand can make sponsors notice you and open doors to better games and partners. Even if you don’t want to be a content creator, having a simple profile helps people recognize your name positively.
Play Right Side or Learn to Be Flexible
Another important tip Munro gives is to learn to play on the right side if you are not left-handed. Left-handed players make up about 10% of the population, and there are many left side players competing, but fewer good right side players. Being a skilled right side player will make you more valuable to teams and help you get into better games.
Train Off the Court and Take Care of the Body
Munro emphasizes warming up before playing and stretching afterward to avoid injuries. He advises arriving early to practice, doing dynamic warm-ups like running and side shuffles, and doing bodyweight exercises to build strength and mobility. Taking care of the body helps prevent injuries and keeps you playing longer at a high level.
Stand Out by Building Your Personal Brand
Finally, Munro says that standing out is key to getting noticed. He gives examples like Tyson McGuffin, who built a strong brand with tattoos and a bold style. Munro himself wears pink accents for breast cancer awareness and gives his used paddle to kids after big matches as a way to connect with fans. Creating a unique brand and traditions helps players become memorable and builds a loyal following.
Going pro in pickleball is not just about playing hard; it is about choosing the right environment, working with the right people, and growing on and off the court. Jack Munro hopes his advice guides other players toward success.
News in Brief: Jack Munro’s Pickleball Journey
Pro pickleball player Jack Munro shares tips to advance quickly: play with better players, watch game footage, and build strong networks both online and offline. He advises players to develop a social media presence, learn to play the right side if not left-handed, and focus on off-court fitness to prevent injury. Munro also highlights creating a unique personal brand to connect with fans and sponsors.