Chad Flynn’s Championship Year in Pickleball: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many found solace in new activities. For Eden Prairie resident Chad Flynn, his passion for a sport resurfaced unexpectedly. A longtime tennis player, Flynn couldn’t hit the courts when his local Life Time Fitness closed. Instead, he ventured into pickleball—a sport that would soon change the trajectory of his athletic career.
“I used to play a lot of (United States Tennis Association) tennis. And I couldn’t play at LIFETIME (Fitness) because they were closed.” – (Chad Flynn)
A New Challenge, A New Passion
Flynn, 54, was no stranger to competitive sports, having played United States Tennis Association (USTA) tennis for years. When tennis was no longer an option, he decided to give pickleball a try. He remembers telling his wife, Mary Lahammer, a TV anchor for Twin Cities Public Television,
“I just said to my wife, ‘Hey, I’m going to go down to the local courts and try pickleball.’” – (Chad Flynn)
- His first tournament ended with a fourth-place finish.
- From there, Flynn’s rise was rapid, and he soon found himself ranked as high as No. 3 in the world for senior singles.
Origins of Pickleball
Pickleball’s story dates back to 1965, born out of a simple solution to boredom. State Rep. Joel Pritchard and friend Bill Bell improvised a game of badminton using table tennis paddles and a plastic ball when they couldn’t find the shuttlecock.
The name “pickleball” was coined by Pritchard’s wife, Joan, who thought the mix of sports reminded her of “pickle boats” in rowing. The game has since evolved, using paddles that are larger than table tennis paddles but smaller than tennis rackets, and a plastic ball. The objective remains similar to tennis: getting the ball over the net without the opponent returning it or committing a fault.
A Passion for the Game
As Flynn continued to play, he quickly developed a deep passion for the sport. He described his enthusiasm for pickleball in terms that resonated deeply.
“My wife (Twin Cities Public Television’s Mary Lahammer) is a television anchor/reporter. She just loves her job. Every day, she has a smile on her face. I’ve never had that with anything, really. But I do with pickleball.” – (Chad Flynn)
When the National Pickleball League (NPL) was founded in late 2022, Flynn jumped at the opportunity to compete. The Pickleball league, catering to players over 50, drafted him to the Indy Drivers. The first season was a win, with the Drivers securing the league championship. Flynn looks back on this achievement as one of his proudest moments.
- Flynn also reached No. 3 in the senior singles rankings, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the sport.
A Season of Growth and Team Spirit
Flynn’s second season in the NPL saw his team, the Indy Drivers, fall short of retaining their title. The team finished 10th in the championship weekend held in Cincinnati, with the Boca Raton Picklers taking the crown. However, Flynn wasn’t disappointed. He valued the camaraderie built within the team, describing it as feeling “like a family.”
“This year, I’m happy with our team and with the friendships we’ve made. Our whole team kind of feels like a family.” – (Chad Flynn)
While this year’s title was out of reach, Flynn remains optimistic about his future in the league.
Looking Ahead: Doubles and New Challenges
Flynn’s confidence in his game continues to grow. He’s particularly proud of his improvements in doubles play. “My doubles game has stepped up,” Flynn said, and his success was evident after the NPL season. At the Professional Pickleball Association’s Veolia Milwaukee Open on Nov. 17, Flynn secured a gold medal in the senior doubles tournament, alongside partner Gonzalo Petschen.
News in Brief: Chad Flynn’s Championship Year in Pickleball
Chad Flynn, a former USTA tennis player, has found new success in pickleball, rising to No. 3 in the world senior singles rankings and securing a championship with the Indy Drivers in the first National Pickleball League season. Despite his team’s second-place finish this season, Flynn continues to grow his game, winning a gold medal in senior doubles at the PPA’s Veolia Milwaukee Open in November.
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