Top pickleball players Mackonner Dy and James Ignatowich have praised Filipino athletes, calling their resilience and adaptability key strengths that make them well-suited for the sport.
The duo were in the Philippines for a leg of the SM Pickleball Superseries 2026, where they engaged with fans during a meet-and-greet and exhibition event at SM North Edsa.
Speaking to Philstar.com, 16-year-old Dy highlighted the mindset of Filipino players.
“Those two things are going to get you really far in pickleball. Because like, the more effort you put, the more resilient you are. Like, you just get more balls. And that gets you to the next level very fast, in my opinion,” he said.
“That’s one of the best ways. So I think Filipinos do have an advantage in that way,” he added.
Ignatowich echoed those views, pointing to the energy and movement of local players.
“Totally agree. I think.” [Filipinos] move their feet pretty well. I think they like to play. They play with more enthusiasm,” he said.
“And I think it shows actually in the way that they play. Because they’re always trying to get their feet behind the ball. And I think if you play with fun, you’re going to play better. You usually play better when you’re having fun.”
The American pro, who has won over 30 PPA medals, went a step further in his assessment.
“They’re going to take my spot soon. I gotta watch out,” he said, adding, “They’re so good.”
Dy also pointed to the strong support system within the country’s pickleball community.
“They’re, like, willing to travel. There’s probably people who’ve come out at least two hours just to get here. For me, you know, for Americans that’s way too long. I’m not even going to drive an hour to practice. That’s too much for me,” he stressed.
“I think a lot of people are more willing to support and pay attention. The community is super great.”
Ignatowich also praised the welcoming nature of Filipinos, linking it to the sport’s growth potential.
“It’s interesting how in the Philippines, everybody’s a little bit nicer than in the US. I think that’s one of the reasons why pickleball is going to get really popular here, because pickleball is such a social sport,” he said.
