Professional Pickleball Players Celebrate Thanksgiving Season: For many Americans, Thanksgiving is synonymous with family gatherings and sports, with backyard games such as flag football or softball following the feast. But for professional pickleball players and their families, this holiday tradition often takes on a different form—a pickleball tournament. It’s a fitting way to blend their love of the sport and the holiday spirit of family time.
Allyce Jones: A Family Affair
Allyce Jones, known for her prowess on the pickleball court, has a family that shares her passion. From casual games to competitive matches, pickleball is part of their Thanksgiving celebration. This year, however, the Jones family will be on the move.
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- Travel Plans: The Jones family is headed to the Welk Resort in Escondido, California, for a mix of pickleball, swimming, and some fun at Disneyland.
- Family Focus: While pickleball will make an appearance, the priority is on spending quality time together, making this holiday a blend of tradition and relaxation.
“We are going to the Welk Resort in Escondido, California and we’re going to play pickleball, swim, and maybe spend a day at Disneyland. My whole family likes to play pickleball, so we’ll definitely hit the court. But, our priority is getting some good family time together.” – (Allyce)
Jack Sock: A First Thanksgiving for Brody
For professional pickleball player Jack Sock, this Thanksgiving holds a special significance as he celebrates his son Brody’s first holiday. In true Sock family style, the day will be filled with family, food, and, of course, pickleball.
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- Relaxed Holiday Plans: Jack and his family will enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving day with extended family, feasting on traditional holiday dishes and catching a football game.
- Backyard Pickleball: With a pickleball court right in their backyard, it’s likely that the family will take a few rounds after the meal.
“We’re having family and extended family over for a nice, relaxing day eating a lot of food and watching some football. My favorite is the stuffing. We’ll probably play some pickleball. My father-in-law and my wife love to play. We have a pickleball court in the backyard, so if the weather is nice, we’ll definitely burn off some calories and play a bit.” – (Sock)
Ben Johns: The Ultimate Family Tournament
Thanksgiving for Ben Johns and his family is more than just a meal—it’s a full-fledged pickleball tournament. While his mother’s cooking takes center stage, the day quickly transitions into a friendly but competitive match.
- Feast Fit for a King: Ben’s mother is known for her exceptional cooking skills, preparing everything from turkey and stuffing to homemade bread and pie. The highlight, according to Ben, is the turkey and gravy.
- Competitive Spirit: After the feast, the family switches gears and heads to the court for a pickleball game, with the Johns brothers leading the way.
“My family meets back in Maryland. My mom is an amazing cook. She makes two types of homemade bread, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberries, and three types of pie. It’s just incredible. But, the classic turkey and gravy is what I’m most looking forward to.” – (Johns)
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With pickleball now taking center stage in the Johns family Thanksgiving tradition, the competitive spirit kicks in.
“We used to play football every Thanksgiving. It’s kind of our turkey bowl, but my mom said we have too many people where their hands are too valuable and we don’t want to injure them.” – (Johns)
“We have two pickleball players, a pianist, and a dentist, so she ousted the football this year and switched it to pickleball instead. We’re playing doubles, and the boys have to play lefty. We have about a dozen people, so there will be two teams of six and we’ll rotate.” – (Johns)
- Team Dynamics: Ben’s sisters Maggie and Georgia are the power players to watch, with their skills likely to determine the outcome of the game.
“A couple of my younger sisters are kind of powerhouses, so I think whichever team gets Maggie and Georgia will probably win.” – (Johns)
News in Brief: Professional Pickleball Players Celebrate Thanksgiving Season
This Thanksgiving, professional pickleball players including Allyce Jones, Jack Sock, and Ben Johns will be celebrating the holiday with family and pickleball. Jones heads to Escondido for some fun, Sock will host a relaxing day at home with his newborn son, and Johns’ family will hold a competitive pickleball tournament after a feast of homemade dishes. Pickleball is becoming a staple tradition for these players’ Thanksgiving celebrations.
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