Martin Robertson and Chris Robertson, two brothers and firefighters from the Austin Fire Department, recently won gold in the 18+ men’s doubles pickleball tournament at the 2025 World Police & Fire Games in Birmingham, Alabama. Sponsored by Sport Clips Haircuts, they proudly represented Austin Fire and their local communities while also raising awareness about emergency safety on and off the court.
Martin Robertson also won gold in 18+ men’s singles. The tournament offered them a rare chance to compete together, strengthening their bond as brothers and athletes.
“It was awesome. Being able to do that with my brother, how cool is that? Having pickleball in the Games just shows you how much that sport has taken off,” said Martin Robertson. “Representing Austin Fire, representing my community, and representing Cranky Pickle in New Braunfels where I give lessons, that was just amazing.”
“It means a lot. We were athletes our entire life. We loved competing and we never had the opportunity growing up to compete together in high-level tournaments, so this actually gave us a chance to do that, and we’ve really strengthened our relationship through that,” said Chris Robertson. “It’s so good for us. Being out there competing and just our chemistry together is really almost non-verbal on the court. We know what each other is doing and that’s a testament to our relationship and our bond as athletes.”
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How They Got Into Pickleball
Martin Robertson first discovered pickleball in 2019 after he joined the fire department. While on probation at Station 17, he watched his crew play every day but wasn’t allowed to join in until Christmas.
“I’m like, ‘Man, that looks fun,’ but they never let me near a paddle. Finally on Christmas, they let me play. I was just slamming, and the first overhead I took, I was hooked. That pretty much started off my pickleball journey. Once I picked it up at the station, then I started playing rec play, and the rest is history.”
He later introduced the sport to his younger brother, Chris Robertson, who also became a fan and started training seriously.
The Fitness Benefits of Pickleball
Pickleball became a big part of both their lives. It not only helps them stay active but also fits well with their work as firefighters.
“It’s really helped me grow as an athlete, especially with my footwork. I’ve learned how to start using footwork drills, which end up becoming cardiovascular exercises. It’s actually inspired me to want to start a YouTube fitness channel specifically for pickleball fitness,” said Martin Robertson.
“I grew up playing football. I was pretty good at it, and I trained hard at it. Then there was a gap where I didn’t play sports. I just lifted weights in the military. But the more serious I got with pickleball, the more I started training for it. Just seeing the effects of actually training the right way for it, how it could positively affect my game, it filled in that gap,” said Chris Robertson.
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Life Lessons and Community Bonding
Both Martin and Chris Robertson shared stories about how pickleball taught them humility and connection.
“We got in a game one time and we were playing against these two older ladies and they destroyed us. We go to the net and we tap paddles at the end, and I remember one of the ladies looking at me and saying, ‘How does it feel to get beat by your grandma?’” said Martin Robertson.
“There was a moment in my life where when I got to a 5.0 level, I wouldn’t play with the lower level players because selfishly I wanted to get better. But I kind of just had a coming-to moment and kind of threw that out the window and just looked at that like, ‘Hey, I’m here to have fun. Let’s play with 3.5 players,’” said Chris Robertson.
Competing in Texas and Talking Safety
Martin Robertson and Chris Robertson are now playing in the 2025 Texas Firefighter Summer Games in Bryan, Texas. The event follows a team-based Major League Pickleball format.
As firefighters, they also stress the importance of being ready for medical emergencies on the court. They support the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and shared important safety tips.
“Call 911. That’s the most important thing you can do, get first responders on the scene before you try and fix the problem yourself,” said Martin Robertson.
“Calling 911 is the first thing. Then, just make sure the scene is safe,” added Chris Robertson.
Common Medical Risks on the Court
The brothers explained that some medical emergencies, like heat stroke and heart problems, are common during intense games. They stressed the need to stay hydrated, take breaks, and listen to your body.
“You need to listen to your body. When your body’s telling you that you’re tired and it’s hot… it’s probably a good idea to slow down, take a break, get in some shade, get some water, and cool yourself off,” said Martin Robertson.
“Heat exhaustion and not being acclimated to the heat are major issues here, along with your fitness level,” said Chris Robertson.
Using an AED in an Emergency
Martin and Chris Robertson also gave simple steps on how to use an AED if someone collapses during a game.
“Call 911, and then have somebody look for the AED. Once you get it, they are usually very interactive. They usually have really good directions on them, and they’re very user-friendly,” said Martin Robertson.
“When you grab an AED, you first want to check the person’s pulse and breathing. If there’s no pulse, check for breathing, and then if none of those are happening, then get on compressions,” said Chris Robertson.
Why AEDs Matter in Pickleball
The growing popularity of pickleball makes having AEDs at facilities more important than ever. Players of all ages and health conditions join games, increasing the chances of medical problems.
“Anytime you’re getting a lot of people together… obviously having an AED on hand is paramount,” said Martin Robertson.
“You never know what you have on the court. It’s more likely for health-related problems to happen in pickleball,” said Chris Robertson.
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Encouraging Preparedness for All
The brothers shared advice for facilities and everyday players on staying ready for emergencies.
“Get one. You don’t want to be that facility that doesn’t have one,” said Martin Robertson.
“Make sure you have one. Pickleball is so popular. You never know what you have on the court,” added Chris Robertson.
Message for First Responders and the Public
Martin Robertson and Chris Robertson encourage people to be ready and take CPR classes. They say this simple training could help save lives.
“Take a small CPR class. You never know when you’re going to need it, and it can save a life,” said Martin Robertson.
“Be a firefighter on the court. If a situation arises, act on it, because somebody’s life could be in your hands,” said Chris Robertson.
News in Brief: Martin Robertson and Chris Robertson
Brothers and Austin firefighters Martin Robertson and Chris Robertson won gold at the 2025 World Police & Fire Games. Now playing in the Texas Firefighter Summer Games, they’re using their platform to promote emergency safety and the importance of AEDs. The duo also encourages CPR training for all players and facilities.