Hannah Blatt Pickleball Transition: Hannah Blatt, a professional pickleball player from Winnipeg, Manitoba, made the switch from professional squash to pickleball after years of competing at an elite level. The 26-year-old athlete committed fully to the sport, despite challenges in changing her style of play and adapting her movement.
From Squash to Pickleball
Hannah Blatt first picked up squash at age 12 and quickly rose through the ranks.
“I started playing squash when I was 12, and by the time I was 15, I was top in Canada. I made the junior Canadian team, and then I played in the Commonwealth Pan Am Games for Team Canada. Then, I went to university and I played pro squash, and after I graduated, I eventually found pickleball,”(Hannah Blatt).
She admitted the shift was not easy, even though her squash background gave her an advantage with hand-eye coordination.
“My squash coach actually made fun of me for playing pickleball, which made me feel horrible. But I found some friends who were playing and going pro in a new sport. It felt like an incredible opportunity I couldn’t miss.”
Challenges in Adapting
Blatt took the risk of leaving squash and dedicated herself fully to pickleball.
“I took a big risk, but I’m so glad I did,”
said Blatt, whose pickleball career even led to her relationship with fellow UPA professional Grayson Goldin.
The former squash player explained that certain habits carried over and took time to change.
“Of course the hand-eye coordination came easily going from one racket sport to another, but it was a tough switch. I learned pickleball easily, but there were lots of things I carried from squash that I’m still working on.
Mainly, I had to learn not to move and hold my ground at the net. I also had to learn to use more reach in my arms to hit certain shots. It took a couple of months to master the basics.”(Hannah Blatt)
She added that the toughest habits to break involved her swing and footwork.
“Squash is very whippy and uses a lot of wrist. In tennis, it’s more of a stroke, so I’m figuring out how to change the way I swing. When it comes to my movements, sometimes I get stuck in lunges because that’s a squash thing,
so I’m trying to work on my pickleball movement more where I take one more step, instead of taking one big step and lunging. When I do that on the pickleball court, I’m practically doing the splits.”(Hannah Blatt)
Squash Skills as an Advantage
While the transition was demanding, Blatt also found that her squash training gave her a unique advantage in pickleball.
“I really like my one-handed backhand at the net, so whether that’s a flick or catching a backhand overhead with just one hand, I picked up those shots from my squash background. And squash gave me an advantage in quick movements.”(Hannah Blatt)
Looking Ahead
Hannah Blatt’s path from squash to pickleball shows how skills from one sport can support success in another, even with the challenges of breaking old habits. Her story highlights the growing trend of athletes from other racket sports entering professional pickleball and adjusting their skills to thrive on the court.
News in Brief: Hannah Blatt Pickleball Transition
Hannah Blatt, a former Canadian squash pro, transitioned to professional pickleball after years of competition. She admitted the switch was difficult, especially with movement and technique, but credited squash for giving her quick reflexes and strong backhand skills. Blatt now competes at the pro level with full commitment.
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