Professional pickleball veteran Rob Cassidy believes the sport’s rapid growth is being driven by a combination of athleticism, accessibility and an increasingly competitive professional scene.
Speaking about the evolution of pickleball, Cassidy said the sport has undergone significant changes since he first entered the professional ranks more than a decade ago.
“The funny thing about the term ‘OG’ is that there were OGs before me,” Cassidy said. “Players like Kyle Yates and Tyler Loong, and before them people like Billy Jacobsen and Enrique Ruiz. We’ve been around long enough to witness several stages in the sport’s evolution.”
According to Cassidy, one of the biggest shifts has been the growing number of tennis players making the transition to pickleball.
“One of the biggest changes is that tennis players are starting to recognize not only how fun pickleball is but also how competitive and athletic it can be,” he said. “I enjoy talking to tennis converts like Federico Staksrud and Pablo Tellez, who are becoming major forces in both singles and doubles.”
Cassidy also challenged some of the common misconceptions surrounding the sport.
“A lot of people think pickleball is a slow game, but the ball travels a shorter distance, so players actually have less time to react,” he explained. “There are lots of quick bursts of movement. People also assume it’s easier on the body, but there is a tremendous amount of change of direction involved. It’s a very athletic sport, and you’re seeing that more and more at the professional level.”
Asked what advice he gives tennis players who are considering trying pickleball, Cassidy offered a surprising response.
“I tell them, ‘Don’t try it,'” he said with a smile.
When pressed further, he explained: “Because you probably don’t have enough spare time. Once you try it, you’ll fall in love with it. Anybody who’s spent time on a pickleball court knows how addictive it can be.”
Cassidy also discussed the growth of Major League Pickleball, describing the team-based competition as one of the most significant developments in the sport.
“The inaugural MLP event was, in my opinion, the greatest event in pickleball history at the time,” he said. “The atmosphere was incredible. The team format brought a completely different dynamic that professional pickleball hadn’t seen before.”
“It was exciting to witness and exciting to be a part of, and it’s only continuing to grow.”
He also praised MLP founder Steve Kuhn’s approach to growing the league.
“Steve Kuhn has always been very player-oriented. That means a lot to us as professional players because he genuinely wants to make the experience better and help the sport grow.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming MLP season, Cassidy revealed his excitement after being selected in the latest draft.
“I’m happy to say I got drafted this year,” he said. “Last season I was an alternate and still got the chance to compete, but this year I’ll officially be on a roster.”
Cassidy will represent the Chimeras alongside Andrea Koop, Daniel De La Rosa and Megan Fudge.
“We’ve got a really strong team,” he said. “Andrea Koop just won gold. Daniel De La Rosa is someone I’ve wanted to play with for a long time, and Megan Fudge is very comfortable playing alongside left-handers. We’ve got a really strong team.”
With pickleball continuing to expand across North America and beyond, Cassidy believes the sport’s unique blend of accessibility and competition will keep attracting new players for years to come.
