Is It Lonely Being Single?

Ben Johns (Picture Kerry Pittenger)

How much fun I’ve had watching doubles teams work together in MLP-PPA tournaments! Both winners and losers have given spectators much to marvel at.  For me as a watcher, chemistry between teammates and a blending of styles make for better matches. Partners rely on each other to hit their best shots, to clean up messes, to devise and implement strategies, to push each other through adversity and boost performance, and, most important of all, to do whatever it takes to win medals—all of which explains my growing appreciation for the singles game and my admiration for the gifted players who compete in both disciplines.  

In singles, what I mentioned above has no bearing.  Only for a moment, set aside the dynamics of doubles while we talk about the intensity and complexity of singles as shown in these highlights.

The Demands and Strategies of Singles Play

Singles, in my view, draws from players their best weapons and tactics. Mental and physical power, stamina, and control are summoned from within and expended during the course of a match. Those same things are necessary to make it through a tournament; a surplus is needed for Championship Sunday.  Different shots and strategies together with split-second thinking and maneuvering force the whole human engine to work harder than ever as the players fight alone, ripped ground strokes pulling them back and forth and sometimes outside the lines as if being puppeteered, cat-and-mouse play worked in (passing shots too) depending on what the “chess match” calls for.  And a chess match it is! One with critical thinking having to be done, and a sharpshooter’s eye having to be used, in the heat of the scramble. Because as we all know, other attributes besides brawn—sound fundamentals and court smarts among them—help a player to perform at an optimal level.  “Singles pickleball is severely underrated,” says the Kitchen Pickleball in this video featuring Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters. 

I agree. How about you, reader?

The Importance of Balance and Anticipation in Singles

Although winners receive trophies, points, praise, money, and higher ranking, all well deserved, the singles game has its own demands, balance and anticipation playing no small part when attacking, countering, and defending.  Commenting during an MLP-PPA match, Adam Stone says:

“Feet just aren’t talked about enough. It’s so important. That’s where you get your base from.”

Then, repeating a previous remark made by fellow commentator Dave Fleming, Stone continues:

“Being off balance is one of the worst things that can happen to a pickleball player.”

To emphasize the importance of balance and anticipation, watch this point between Lea Jansen and Irina Tereschenko. 

The Challenges and Character Building of Singles Play

Training for and playing singles must be arduous work, and not every player is equipped for one-on-one, not every player is willing to burn energy working through the draws only to have less in reserve for doubles. Doing it all, from this fan’s perspective, is no easy feat, no miniscule accomplishment.  Having seen so many singles duels, I can remember with clarity the times I’ve noticed tension, frustration, and confusion on players’ faces and in body language when the smooth moving and grooving of earlier matches is on the slide, the solutions to common problems slipping too, confidence in shots evaporating as points are lost.  Without a teammate to rekindle their fire and spirit and competitive edge, that player is all alone—alone, alone, alone, alone!—the heat running them down, nobody else to blame for their uninspired performance or when their best is not good enough; the other player setting the pace and dominating, applying relentless pressure, their shots painting lines and hitting all angles and targets, the adrenalized crowd fueling their game.  Being alone out there builds and crystallizes character, at least I would think so, as well as all-around strength, confidence and determination. Am I wrong?

If you’re committed to playing singles, no doubt the worst losses benefit rather than dishearten. Based on years of observation I believe that to be true.  Then again, I’m fifty-four with aches and pains and some recreational experience and, full disclosure, a damaged blue-collar body that would never hold up under the strain of playing singles. (Much as I’m grateful to have found pickleball–thanks to my wife–making a living comes first! Ha!) So what do I, an amateur analyst, know for sure? Well, just this: Playing singles looks fun—but grueling. Covering court beats on and wears out the body regardless of age and overall health. Look at this clip and see if you agree. 

And this clip.

And this one.

To singles players everywhere, keep it up! The best players make it look easy, though I know it isn’t. If it were, more would be doing it–and more often. Thanks for the show!

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