From Laver Cup to Pickleball Slam: Alexander Bublik recently recounted a lively locker-room discussion he had with Tommy Paul at the Rolex Paris Masters. During his appearance on the Nothing Major podcast, Bublik humorously shared Paul’s take on the pickleball skills of his fellow Americans, Jack Sock and Sam Querrey. According to Bublik, Paul rated Sock highly but dismissed Querrey’s abilities, prompting a comical exchange.
“Tommy (Paul) told me that Jack (Sock) is very good and Sam (Querrey) is very bad,” Bublik revealed, much to Querrey’s dismay.
“What?! This is so annoying,” Querrey retorted, laughing.
Bublik went on to explain how Paul described Sock as “amazing” in pickleball, while Querrey’s efforts barely registered. Sock, on the other hand, found the exchange hilarious, leaving Querrey to conclude, “Hey, at least they’re talking about me in the locker room.”
Sock’s Pickleball Rise
Jack Sock, once a tennis star ranked World No. 8 in singles and World No. 2 in doubles, retired from professional tennis last year following the 2023 US Open. Since then, he has made a remarkable transition to pickleball, currently ranked No. 10 on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. Sock has quickly become a prominent figure in the sport, showcasing his skills on and off the court.
Querrey’s Slower Start in Pickleball
Sam Querrey, a former World No. 11, retired in 2022 and has also ventured into pickleball. However, unlike Sock, Querrey has not yet found significant success in the sport. The disparity in their performances has become a recurring topic in light-hearted conversations, as evidenced by Bublik’s anecdote.
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McEnroe’s Take on Sock’s Career Shift
John McEnroe added his voice to the playful banter surrounding Sock’s career switch during a promotional event for Pickleball Slam 2. “This guy helped us win the Laver Cup and then he becomes a professional pickleball player,” McEnroe joked.
Sock ultimately had the last laugh, teaming up with Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf to win Pickleball Slam 2, leaving McEnroe and his team in second place.
News in Brief: From Laver Cup to Pickleball Slam
Alexander Bublik shared a locker-room story on the Nothing Major podcast, revealing Tommy Paul’s high praise for Jack Sock’s pickleball skills but not for Sam Querrey’s. While Sock has excelled in pickleball since retiring from tennis, Querrey’s success has been limited, sparking humorous debates. John McEnroe also weighed in, joking about Sock’s transition from tennis to pickleball, adding to the spirited dialogue.
ALSO READ: Professional Tennis Player Adjusts to Pickleball- How Jack Sock Helped Guide Him
