D.C. Pro Pickleball Team to Host Tournament: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports landscape has seen a surprising new contender: pickleball. Its rise has been nothing short of meteoric, and nowhere is this more visible than in the nation’s capital, where the D.C. Pickleball Team is gearing up for a significant event, lets have a look on event and what there team member’s views about the sport.
D.C. Pro Pickleball Team to Host Tournament at Washington
The D.C. Pickleball Team, a prominent squad in the expanding Major League Pickleball, is set to showcase their talents in a high-stakes tournament at the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation in Southeast Washington from June 13 to June 16,
The upcoming four-day extravaganza at WTEF promises to highlight top-notch pickleball professionals from around the globe through 34 coed team matches. Among these matches, six will spotlight the hometown heroes of the D.C. Pickleball Team. The event will infuse a vibrant festival atmosphere into the District, complete with delectable food, refreshing beverages, lively music, an amateur pickleball tournament, and enthusiastic participation from both local and national sponsors.
Reflecting on the sport’s rapid ascent, team member Dekel Bar shared his astonishment: “When I started playing and people asked me what I do and I said I play pickleball, they said, ‘what’s pickleball?’ And now it’s like, ‘oh pickleball! We love pickleball! We play all the time! Our friends play,’”. “It definitely changed a lot, the perception of it and how many people know about and play, it’s amazing.”
Dekel Bar, originally from Israel and a former professional tennis player, transitioned to pickleball in 2018, a move that rekindled his competitive spirit. “When I was done with tennis, I thought that was it for a professional sporting career,” Bar admitted. “Didn’t expect pickleball to be it but it grew so much and it’s so much fun, it really means a lot to be able to compete at the highest level.”
As D.C. Pro Pickleball Team to Host Tournament at Washington, the team will hit the courts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, bringing their A-game to their hometown crowd. “We’re super hyped to play here in our hometown in D.C.,” Bar said. “We’ve got a lot of fans coming, we’ve got our entire team, so I assume we’ll have a lot of support out there. I hope everybody comes and cheers us on.”
Dekel Bar isn’t alone in this endeavor. He’s joined by three other standout players, all under the strategic guidance of head coach Kyle McKenzie. McKenzie, hailing from the state of Washington, has witnessed the sport’s growing popularity firsthand.
Despite its current surge, McKenzie pointed out that pickleball’s roots go back to the 1960s. This historical context enriches the sport’s narrative, adding depth to its modern-day appeal. “I would just say to the fans at home, come out, check it out. It’s a great sport to watch on the live stream,” McKenzie encouraged. “But there’s nothing like seeing it live and really getting an appreciation for how skilled and athletic these athletes are. It’s quite a game seeing it at the highest levels.”
As the D.C. Pickleball Team prepares to host this weekend’s event, the excitement is palpable. With the community rallying behind them, this tournament promises to be a milestone in the team’s journey and a testament to the sport’s explosive growth.
News in Brief: D.C. Pro Pickleball Team to Host Tournament at Washington
