Gabe Tardio’s Pizza Break Sparked Gold: In a sport where focus, precision, and physical conditioning are paramount, one wouldn’t expect a slice of pizza to steal the show at PPA. Yet, during the Selkirk Kansas City Open, that’s exactly what happened. Gabe Tardio and Federico Staksrud may have claimed the gold in the men’s doubles championship by defeating JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier in straight games, but the moment that had everyone talking didn’t involve a paddle or a point—it involved a slice of pizza.
A Break Like No Other
During a break in the match, with the pressure mounting and the crowd on edge, Tardio, just 18 years old, was caught on camera doing something that seemed entirely out of place in such a high-stakes environment: downing a slice of pizza. It wasn’t a granola bar, a banana, or even an energy drink. No, it was pizza.
The broadcasters on PickleballTV couldn’t contain their amusement. It was a sight that brought a smile to many and left others scratching their heads. Dave Fleming, one of the commentators, even made sure to weave the pizza into the post-match interview and trophy presentation.
Tardio admitted when asked about his unconventional choice of mid-match fuel. The simplicity of his response matched the nonchalance with which he had taken that bite, as if to say, “What’s the big deal?”
“I didn’t have a good breakfast, so I needed some extra carbs and that was it.” – (Gabe Tardio)
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A Celebration Like No Other
In a fitting conclusion to the unexpected turn of events, Staksrud, Tardio’s partner, decided to join in on the fun. After securing the victory, he took a celebratory bite of the now-famous slice. But the story didn’t end there. As the slice became a symbol of the day, a spectator boldly asked Tardio for an autograph—not on paper, but on the slice itself.
“I think it was something that a lot of people found funny. Maybe people thought I’d have some sort of diet, so they didn’t expect that someone in the final would be eating pizza in the middle of the match. The social media response has been great.” – (Tardio)
This Isn’t His First Slice
The tale of Gabe Tardio and his pizza doesn’t start or end in Dallas. Fellow pro-Lina Padegimaite took to Instagram to share that this wasn’t Tardio’s first brush with unconventional pre-match meals.
“I still vividly remember Tardio saying ‘I just woke up and had a donut’ right before getting called to be a sub for the New Jersey 5s match in Newport in 2022. And he absolutely killed it.” – (Lina Padegimaite)
For Tardio, it seems that playing by the rules—at least when it comes to diet—might not be necessary. What matters is performance on the court, and on Sunday, with a slice of pizza in hand, Gabe Tardio showed the world that sometimes, the path to victory includes a little bit of flavor.
News in Brief: Gabe Tardio’s Pizza Break Sparked Gold
At the Selkirk Kansas City Open, 18-year-old Gabe Tardio and Federico Staksrud secured the men’s doubles gold by defeating JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier. However, the real highlight was Tardio’s unexpected mid-match snack—a slice of pizza, caught on camera during a break.
Tardio explained that he missed breakfast and needed extra carbs, turning the moment into a viral sensation. His partner, Staksrud, later took a celebratory bite, and Tardio even signed the slice for a fan. Fellow pro-Lina Padegimaite revealed this wasn’t Tardio’s first unconventional pre-match meal, recalling his success after a donut breakfast in 2022.
Also Read: Federico Staksrud and Gabriel Tardio Win at PPA: First Title Together
