Robert Moore Pickleball Journey: Robert Moore, an 83-year-old resident of Tiburon, California, has found a new love for pickleball after shoulder surgery made tennis difficult. He plays twice a week at the Lagoon Road courts to stay active and keep his game strong, focusing on serving and movement.
A Shift from Tennis to Pickleball
Robert Moore was a longtime recreational tennis player. But after undergoing rotator cuff surgery, he could no longer make powerful overhand shots. Looking for a way to keep playing, he switched to pickleball a few years ago.
“Very rarely does the ball come up high as opposed to tennis,” Robert Moore said during a recent practice on July 23. He explained that pickleball is easier on the shoulder, especially because the plastic ball doesn’t bounce as much as a tennis ball.
A New Life in California
Moore and his wife moved to Tiburon in 2010 after spending most of their lives in southern New Jersey. He had worked for 35 years as a social studies teacher and wanted to be closer to his two children, who live in California.
The couple had grown tired of flying across the country four or five times each year to visit family. So they made the move permanent. While Moore misses the South Jersey shoreline — “you can always go on the water from about June to October” — he appreciates Tiburon’s mild weather year-round.
Staying Active and Inspired
At 83, Moore continues to practice and exercise regularly on the pickleball court. His story shows how the sport can offer older adults a fun and healthier way to stay fit and connected, especially after recovering from injuries.
News in Brief: Robert Moore Pickleball Journey
Robert Moore, 83, of Tiburon, turned to pickleball after shoulder surgery ended his tennis days. A former teacher from New Jersey, he now plays twice a week and enjoys the sport’s low-impact play and consistent weather in California. Moore finds energy and purpose through his regular pickleball routine.
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