David Bieger Qualifies for Pro Pickleball Tournament with Partner Lauralei Singsank

David Bieger Qualifies for Pro Pickleball Tournament: David Bieger, fresh off a career shift to software engineering at Capital One in Richmond starting Monday, decided to take a nostalgic detour before diving into his new role.

Why not relive the glory days of tennis by stepping onto the court once more, although in a different guise? For Bieger, a Bristol native who once clinched state tennis championships with Tennessee High, the opportunity to play pickleball at the Bristol SportsPlex was irresistible. Alongside his partner and girlfriend, Lauralei Singsank, Bieger aimed to qualify for the mixed doubles event at the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association’s IHG Hotels & Resorts Bristol Open.

Out of 45 mixed doubles teams competing for a spot, Bieger and Singsank stood out as the only duo to win all three of their qualifying matches. This impressive feat secured their place among the main draw contenders.

Surpassing Expectations

Reaching this level was beyond their wildest dreams. Bieger and Singsank were determined to savor the moment, irrespective of the outcome.

“We have proven we deserve to be here. We are going to go out there and I think if we play our best pickleball and we are having fun, that is going to be our mission and what happens happens. As long as we play our game and we play well I am happy. That is more important to us than the results.” – (Bieger)

A Path Less Traveled

Bieger’s tennis career, highlighted by his role in Tennessee High’s 2017 team and his doubles win with Hagen Oakley in 2019, took an unexpected turn when he chose to attend Virginia rather than pursue college tennis. A friend’s recommendation led him to pickleball, and he fell for the sport’s social and athletic appeal.

“It wasn’t until my third year of college that I discovered college pickleball. I immediately fell in love with the sport. It is really social, it is really athletic at the highest level and it really just emulates everything that I loved about tennis.” – (Bieger)

Synergy on the Court

Their partnership, personal and professional, has thrived on the court. Bieger praised Singsank’s ability to complement his aggressive playstyle.

“I like to play extremely aggressive, especially in mixed doubles and she really gives me the freedom to do that. She is a very good reset player, she can dink really well and she can attack really well. Even if she is getting picked on I tell her to just attack the ball and we will both jump in and do a quick hands battle and kind of play our game, we like the fast game.” – (Bieger)

A Homecoming and a Challenge

As Bieger and Singsank prepare for their matches, they face a tight schedule with pairings announced only hours before play begins.

“It takes a lot of practice to figure out what can I make and what is going to bother my opponent and when you combine those two things that will help you make your decision. It takes a lot of practice to get the shots down and a lot of experience to tell what is going to work and what is not.” – (Bieger)

Bieger’s connection to his hometown remains strong. Former coaches David Poole and Jim Flannagan have reached out to congratulate him on his achievements.

“David Poole is one of my biggest coaches and he shot me a text congratulating me on my success. Jim Flannagan also coached me for a long time. We actually played tennis once a week at this very facility when I was like 14. He was here to support me with all my matches and cheering me on.” – (Bieger)

Bieger and Singsank lost in the opening round of mixed doubles on Friday to Michael Loyd and Martina Frantova, 11-3 and 11-8.

News in Brief: David Bieger Qualifies for Pro Pickleball Tournament