Chris MacDougall’s Pickleball Journey: In May of 2011, Chris MacDougall was in New York City when he received a life-altering phone call from his doctor, a close friend. “You need to come home now, you have leukemia.” Unfamiliar with the severity of the disease, MacDougall rushed back to Columbia, South Carolina. As he moved through the busy airport, it felt like time had stopped for him while life continued around him. MacDougall, a pharmaceutical sales representative, had been experiencing extreme fatigue, and after failing to complete a tennis tournament, he realized something was seriously wrong.
Upon returning home, he was immediately sent to the oncology office, where a brutal bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The next phase of his life would be defined by grueling chemotherapy treatments, a chest port, and frequent hospital stays. By February 2012, his cancer was in remission, but the fight was far from over.
A Second Battle and a Tennis Victory
Just months later, in May of 2012, MacDougall’s leukemia returned, and this time, a bone marrow transplant at Duke University Medical Center was his only option. However, before beginning the 100-day treatment, MacDougall had unfinished business: competing in a national tennis tournament with his best friend, Will Bull. His doctors were skeptical, but he was determined. After winning the tournament, MacDougall committed to his treatment, enduring a long and painful 100-day process that included chemotherapy and radiation.
Throughout this journey, MacDougall’s family was by his side. His daughters, Abby and Karsen, were just five and seven years old but visited him every weekend, bringing joy and light to a very difficult time. By the end of 2012, 40 pounds lighter but cancer-free, MacDougall returned home.
Rediscovering Tennis and Finding Pickleball
After his recovery, MacDougall slowly regained his strength and returned to the tennis courts. In 2018, he captained a team that went on to win the USTA Nationals, proving that his competitive spirit had not diminished. However, in 2021, MacDougall’s tennis career hit another bump when a torn rotator cuff sidelined him for three months.
It was during this downtime that he discovered pickleball. At first, MacDougall knew little about the game, but it didn’t take long for him to become hooked. “It’s fun, it’s competitive, and it’s just so much more conducive to meeting people,” he says. Despite being new to the sport, he quickly made a name for himself in the AARP Champions division and the APP Tour, competing regularly and making friends along the way.
A New Perspective on Competition and Life
For MacDougall, pickleball has become about much more than competition. It’s provided a new social outlet and a fresh perspective on what sports—and life—can offer.
“Instead of being ultra-competitive and always needing to win, I’ve found that meeting new people and enjoying the game is what really matters.” – (MacDougall)
While he still aims to stay competitive, his focus has shifted to building friendships and cherishing moments on the court.
“It’s just made me value friendships and family, and I’m just so excited that I can play at this level.” – (MacDougall)
As a two-time cancer survivor who has overcome immense physical and emotional challenges, MacDougall’s story is a testament to resilience, the power of sport, and the importance of finding joy and connection in life.
News in Brief: Chris MacDougall’s Pickleball Journey
Chris MacDougall, a two-time cancer survivor, rediscovered sports through pickleball, a game that has given him a fresh perspective on life. After battling leukemia twice and undergoing a bone marrow transplant, MacDougall returned to the tennis court before eventually transitioning to pickleball.
A regular on the APP Tour, MacDougall values the social aspect of the game as much as its competitiveness. For him, pickleball represents the friendships, joy, and resilience that have helped him through his most challenging times. His story highlights the healing power of sports, both physically and emotionally, and how they’ve reshaped his life.
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