Tennis Star Turned Pickleball Professional: Max Manthou, a name that has quickly become synonymous with success in pickleball, is a man of many talents. A former tennis prodigy, a celebrated pickleball champion, and even an anthropology scholar, Manthou has carved out a unique niche in sports. Known on the court as “Purple Jesus,” his journey from tennis to pickleball is unconventional and inspiring.
Early Tennis Beginnings
Manthou’s story begins in Kent, where he was introduced to tennis at a local swim and tennis club. As a child, he faced one notable challenge—he couldn’t float in swimming lessons. Despite this, the allure of tennis captured his attention.
“When I was a kid, I was put in a swim class at a swim and tennis club in Kent.” – (Max Manthou)
Manthou thrived in the sport, eventually leading his high school team at Kentwood to an AAAA championship title. His success caught the eye of coach Matt Anger, who invited him to visit the University of Washington (UW), an offer Manthou couldn’t refuse, especially given that both of his parents were Huskies. This marked the beginning of his serious tennis career.
“I was the only kid who couldn’t float, but I liked tennis. Most top-level tennis players skip high school, but I had fun being around the other kids. I was on an amazing team at Kentwood. We won the AAAA championship. When I was a high school freshman, coach Matt Anger invited me to visit the UW. It wasn’t difficult to woo me; my parents are both Huskies.” – (Max Manthou)
The Transition to Pickleball
After college, Manthou took a different path, joining the Peace Corps in Indonesia. Upon returning, he found pickleball had risen in popularity. With his tennis background, he figured his transition to pickleball would be seamless. But that wasn’t the case.
“After college, I went to Indonesia for the Peace Corps. I came back and suddenly pickleball was booming. I had been, at one point, in the top thousand in the world for tennis, so I figured that after about an hour on the court, I would be the best player.” – (Max Manthou)
The experience sparked a deep interest in pickleball, which would soon become his focus.
“But that didn’t happen. I didn’t win a game the whole day. It was very humbling. I was hooked!” – (Max Manthou)
A Scholarly Approach to Coopetition
Manthou didn’t just dive into pickleball for fun; he approached the sport with the same academic rigor that guided his anthropology studies. He spent months observing the game being played in various settings—yards, courts, barns, and parks—collecting data for his master’s thesis.
“I made pickleball the focus of my master’s degree in anthropology. I spent eight months as an observer in yards, courts, barns and parks—anywhere pickleball is played. The sport has so many cooperative elements that are not highlighted or understood. I call it ‘coopetition.'” – (Max Manthou)
Through this research, he coined the term “coopetition,” a blend of competition and cooperation, to describe the unique dynamics he observed in the sport. He later expanded on this concept in his book, A Pickleball Gospel: The Harmony of Competition and Cooperation in Sport, making the case that pickleball’s social and cooperative elements are often overlooked.
“I’ve turned my thesis research into a book for a popular audience, ‘A Pickleball Gospel: The Harmony of Competition and Cooperation in Sport.'” – (Max Manthou)
Pickleball Glory and Major League Pickleball
As his knowledge and passion for the sport grew, so did his success. Manthou quickly made a name for himself in pickleball, particularly after a stunning upset at a major tournament in Miami.
Playing with his partner, Erik Lange, the duo defeated one of the best teams in the world, a win that helped propel Manthou into Major League Pickleball. The victory, and the recognition that followed, marked a defining moment in his career. Pickleball, according to Manthou, is unlike any other sport he’s encountered.
“I’m now a professional pickleball player. My partner, Erik Lange, and I went to this big tournament in Miami and played one of the best teams in the world and smacked them. It was a big upset. That somehow got me drafted into Major League Pickleball.” – (Max Manthou)
“Pickleball is competitive, but also very social and playful. Go to any park and you’ll notice giggling, laughing and funny remarks. People comment on the fun factor more than any other sport I’ve been in.” – (Max Manthou)
News in Brief: Tennis Star Turned Pickleball Professional
Max Manthou, a former tennis star turned pickleball champion, has made a significant impact on the sport, known for his academic approach and unique playing style. After transitioning from tennis to pickleball, Manthou’s research on the sport’s cooperative elements led him to publish A Pickleball Gospel.
His shocking victory at a Miami tournament helped him secure a spot in Major League Pickleball, where he continues to champion the sport’s fun and social aspects.