Pickleball After 70: How One Player Is Defying Expectations
“Judy’s back!”
That’s the welcome chant you’ll hear across Southeastern Wisconsin Pickleball courts each time Judy Nielsen springs back to her six-day a week play, undeterred by 16 surgeries, severe arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic conditions.
Is she defying expectations of family, friends, and various medical teams?
“Yes, I guess so. A lot of people would handle it differently,” the 72-year-old retired office administrator said. “I can’t just sit on the couch and watch life go by. It’s good for me to get up and go play.”
Discovering Pickleball—and Herself
The Wisconsin native took up Pickleball—her first organized sport—six years ago while visiting family in Florida. A devoted fitness class participant, Judy returned home and expanded her exercise portfolio, adding indoor and outdoor Pickleball sessions to her calendar as well as local recreational department Pickleball classes.
“If I was going to play, I had to learn the right way to play the game,” she recalled.
And she’s still learning more about the game and herself through lessons, clinics, and everyday play in co-ed seniors and women’s only groups. She contends her serve is the best part of her game while the backhand, shot placement and consistency are works in progress. She’s tapped into a latent competitive spirit and recently achieved a golden pickle.
“My skills and strategies have really improved over time through my commitment to the game and to myself. I have made court time a priority,” she said. “I discovered the desire for continual improvement of my game and my health. Playing Pickleball gives me purpose.”
Persistence Through Pain
Physical activity promotes independence and helps overcome chronic pain, Judy noted. Over time she has undergone back, knee, neck, wrist, and hand surgeries, among other procedures.
“Although I hurt every day, from my neck down, I push through with paddle in hand as I know how much worse off I would be without getting on the court,” she said.
Judy also emphasized the emotional benefits and relationships fostered on, and off, the court, especially with Pickleball-playing women. “We are opponents, teammates, and friends. We check in on each other, with genuine interest and caring hearts. We support each other’s games and each other’s lives,” she explained.
Passing the Paddle
Lately Judy is putting another of her principles—“Pickleball is a game to be played by all ages”—into practice. She now plays with her granddaughter and hopes she can help the 10-year-old learn and enjoy the sport as well as gain the types of friendships and community Judy’s built over time.
“Playing Pickleball is a learning experience. You can be good at any age,” according to Judy. “My granddaughter and I play together now. It means a lot to me that we’ve been able to do this. I hope we can keep it going.”
About the Author: Laurel Nelson-Rowe is an independent contributor to Empower Pickleball. A longtime business technology and communications leader, she now runs LaurelComms, delivering content for corporate and non-profit partners. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her on the pickleball court, volunteering, or sharing stories on her Substack, My Life Adventurement.