Jack MacGregor is the latest international sportsman to convert to pickleball after discovering the game’s captivating cocktail of social and competitive benefits.
Having represented Scotland in badminton at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and reached the fringes of the world’s top 100 in men’s doubles, Jack recently quit as a funded pro. He has just finished his university degree in Glasgow, and will start teacher training in September back in his home town of Bournemouth.
He had been weighing up whether to continue as a full-time badminton player – but part of the reason he decided to cut back on his commitment was the fact that he has fallen in love with pickleball.
“After playing badminton for so long it was difficult to feel the improvements in your game as they’re so slight, whereas when I’m playing pickleball you can feel yourself improving every time,” the 24-year-old told Pickleball52.
“I learn so much every time I go on court. The people are so friendly and it’s got a good mix of social and competitive elements. It’s so inclusive. I’ve got decent skill and hand speed so I can play with anyone.
“Obviously coming from badminton, I’m not used to playing ground strokes. I’m getting better at those, especially on the backhand side, but it’s something I’ll need to work on if I’m going to compete at a good level in pickleball.”
Jack joins Ben Cawston (rackets) and the likes of James Chaudry and Freddie Powell (tennis) as talented racket sports players whose skills have transferred readily on to the pickleball court.
Jack, who has been playing at Glasgow West Pickleball club, is already on a fast track to reaching a good standard. He was selected in the draft for the Spicy Pickleball Academy team in the inaugural Challenger series of the Franklin Premier Pickleball League, which started last weekend (5-7 July) at Bolton Arena.
Jack was also inspired by playing on the show court at last year’s English Open where he won the 3.5 men’s singles and 3.5 men’s doubles titles. Jack’s mum, Gilli MacGregor, won the women’s singles 3.0 50+, women’s doubles 3.0 18+ and mixed doubles 3.0 35+ medals.
“My mum is the only reason I’d even heard of pickleball,” says Jack. “She plays to a good standard and has got me hooked! I won’t play that much badminton any more but I imagine I’ll play pickleball three times a week.”
Gilli will introduce Jack to the local pickleball scene once he moves back down to Dorset this summer. He can’t wait to get involved. “I am hoping once my full-time badminton career stops, there will be a lot more pickleball down south for me to get involved in,” he said.
“Like most people I thought pickleball was a sport for old ladies, but as soon as I tried it I just wanted to play more and more.”
