Why I’ll Never Stop Hitting Tweeners

Christian Alshon. Photo by Kerry Pittenger; IG:@ kerry_pittenger_pickleball

What’s up, guys, this is Christian Alshon. A little over a year ago, during my second match against Ben Johns, I hit a few tweener winners. Maybe you remember that moment. Dave Fleming even gave me the nickname “The Tweener King.”

At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the title. But now, I’m ready to embrace it. And in this article you’ll understand exactly why.

Tweener definition: a trick shot where a player hits the ball between their legs, usually when chasing down a lob or an angled shot.

Trick Shots

I’ve been hitting tweeners ever since I started playing pickleball. It’s something I genuinely enjoy. Trick shots have always been a huge part of my love for tennis. I remember being eight or nine years old, going to practice, and when my coach asked what I wanted to work on, I’d always say “tweeners.” My coach was smart—he made me wait until the end of practice, but I still got my tweener time in.

When I transitioned to pickleball, trick shots became even easier. The ball bounces slower, giving me more time to execute them. Hitting a tweener dink is effortless, and I love doing it. It makes me happy.

Fun vs. Focus

In the first round of the tournament, I played against James Braggs, hit a few tweeners, and enjoyed myself. But at some point, I started cutting back on them. I was taking things more seriously, which is important—but maybe I took it too far.

I had to remind myself why I play this sport. There’s a reason I quit tennis after 15 years. It became too serious, and I wasn’t having fun anymore. I love pickleball because I can have fun and still compete at the highest level. I want to be the best, and I truly believe I can be. But there’s a balance between playing with discipline and staying true to what makes me love the game.

The Internal Struggle

There’s an internal battle I face every day. If I say I want to be the best, but I’m hitting tweeners on shots where they aren’t necessary, it seems counterproductive. But if I love hitting tweeners and never do it, I’m not being true to myself.

So what’s the solution? I’ve decided I’m going to keep hitting trick shots—but I’ll be smarter about it. At times, I can overdo it. I can admit that. But deciding to fully embrace the Tweener King title is a important for me.

Tournament Recap

In round one against James Braggs, I hit some great tweeners, and it made me so happy. In the second match against Gabe Tardio, I played more seriously, only attempting one tweener off a lob—and I missed it. So I stopped, thinking I needed to focus. It worked, but maybe I was too serious.

Then came the quarterfinals against Tyson McGuffin. I had just come off a two-hour break, and things weren’t going my way. That’s when my internal struggle kicked in again—do I focus purely on winning, or do I let my style loose?

Defining Myself

Some people might say I need to choose between being a flashy player and being the best. I say I can do both. If you think I can’t, watch me prove you wrong.

In that particular tournament, I forced too many tweeners. That’s on me. Tweeners have to come naturally, and I usually hit them best when I’m relaxed. But they are a part of me. Just like you can’t get mad at a dog for barking, you can’t get mad at me for hitting tweeners. It’s who I am.

I know some people might think it’s unprofessional. To those people, I say: Look at how seriously you take your job. I take my job as a pro pickleball player extremely seriously. Hitting tweeners is part of the passion I bring to the court.

The Tweener Is Here to Stay

I’ve been going through an internal battle these past few weeks, trying to figure out who I am in pickleball. Well, I’ve found my answer. I am the Tweener King.

So expect highlight-reel points. Expect excitement. Expect passion. I’ve earned this title, and nobody is going to take it from me.

There is not a single player on tour who can hit a better tweener than me. The day someone does, they can be the Tweener Prince. But they won’t take my crown.

Every athlete reaches a moment where they must define themselves. I’m at that point right now in my pickleball career. I’ve spent time getting comfortable, training, and learning. But now, I’m stepping fully into who I am.

Whether I hit tweeners in a match or not, I know this: I am the Tweener King, and I embrace that title with all my heart.

Some of you love it. Some of you don’t. But one thing is for sure—the Tweener King is here to stay.

Let’s go! Thanks for reading!

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