Danny Jensen’s Pro Pickleball Tour: Danny Jensen and fellow players Taylor Garcia, Courtney McIntosh, and Courtney Kendall are on a special 14-day tour of U.S. military bases across six countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Djibouti. Their mission is to share the joy of pickleball and express gratitude to military personnel during the holiday season.
A Personal Mission
The Pro Pickleball Tour, in association with Pro Sports MVP and presented by Armed Forces Entertainment, holds a special place in Jensen’s heart. Many of his family members have served, and a cousin is currently deployed.
“I think it’s about the best way I can possibly give back with the sport of pickleball, especially to our military, especially on the other side of the world. This is something I put at the top of my priority list. It wouldn’t matter if there was a tournament, it wouldn’t matter what there is, I would always choose serving those who serve our country and allow me to play this incredible game. I’ll choose that over playing for myself any day.” – (Danny Jensen)
He emphasizes that serving those who protect the country is his top priority over competing in tournaments.
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Clinics and Matches
Throughout the tour, Jensen and his team host clinics to teach the fundamentals of pickleball, discuss strategies, and play matches. Jensen noted that pickleball is gaining popularity among military personnel.
“A lot of these military bases are actually creating their own pickleball groups. We have anywhere from 15 to 45 people at every base playing very consistently on everything from gym floors to makeshift courts outside. These guys and girls do anything they can to play.” – (Danny Jensen)
“We played with firefighters in Saudi Arabia on a court where they park all their trucks. We played with a bomb squad in the UAE that has a court in their parking lot, too. They really enjoy pickleball just as much as anybody I’ve ever met. You’d think that the Super Bowl was happening when we stepped on base because they’re just chomping at the bit to play. It’s easy to get obsessed with pickleball.” – (Danny Jensen)
At various bases, players adapted to their surroundings. Jensen mentioned playing with firefighters in Saudi Arabia and a bomb squad in the UAE. He remarked, “It’s easy to get obsessed with pickleball.” This enthusiasm drives the team to provide memorable experiences that help participants temporarily escape their duties.
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Importance of a Break
Jensen believes that playing pickleball offers soldiers a healthy outlet to relax.
“What it really comes down to on bases is people coming together and enjoying a sport that’s healthy, that takes them away from the stress of day-to-day life and their work, and they get to enjoy some quality downtime.” – (Danny Jensen)
With the holidays being a particularly tough time for those away from family, pickleball brings a sense of normalcy and fun, acting as a stress reliever for military personnel.
“We’re in the holidays, too, which always makes things even tougher when you’re away from your family. Pickleball brings a little bit of that sense of normalcy, that sense of fun and competitiveness, and it’s a stress outlet for them. Being able to do that for our military people who put their lives on the line every single day is really incredible.” – (Danny Jensen)
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A Message of Support
As the tour comes to a close, Jensen and his teammates make it a point to thank everyone for their service. They encourage military members to continue playing and growing the sport.
“Everything we do is for these men and women. When we’re leaving, part of it is we try to encourage them, ‘Hey! Keep growing the sport.’ They really love pickleball, and they’re great advocates, especially amongst other members of the military. They’re growing the sport organically, which is exactly what we’ve done in our local communities.” – (Danny Jensen)
He emphasizes the importance of inviting new players to join, regardless of skill level, to help expand the pickleball community.
“We encourage them not to be shy about inviting new people out, regardless of their skill level. Just getting more people out there is going to grow the community that’s already there.” – (Danny Jensen)
This tour not only promotes pickleball but also fosters connections and joy among military personnel during a challenging time of year. Jensen and his team are dedicated to giving back, ensuring that the spirit of the sport and community continues to thrive within the military.
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News in Brief: Danny Jensen’s Pro Pickleball Tour
Danny Jensen and fellow players Taylor Garcia, Courtney McIntosh, and Courtney Kendall are on a 14-day tour of U.S. military bases across six countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to promote pickleball and express gratitude to service members during the holidays.
The tour, sponsored by the Pro Pickleball Tour and Armed Forces Entertainment, includes clinics and matches, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity among military personnel. Jensen emphasizes that playing pickleball provides a healthy outlet for relaxation and community connection.
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