Professional pickleball player Lindsey Newman proves doubles success doesn’t need constant chatter or risky shots—just trust, patience, and one more ball back.

When I signed up for a ladder league alone, I wasn’t looking for anything more than experience. What I found was something way more important: a sense of belonging.

When you live with chronic illness or feel like the “other” on the court, rec play can carry more than just physical weight. One player shares what it means to keep showing up—and how the right people make all the difference.