Looking back... when pickleball made the SportsCenter Top 10
DALLAS, TX – As often as people criticize pickleball for not being a "real" sport, pros continue to earn their rightful place on the SportsCenter Top 10 for oustanding individual efforts at tournaments across the country.
Earning Top 10 spots isn't easy, so pickleball is undeniably a sport with a bright future ahead.
When it comes to making the legendary highlight-reel, the decision-makers at ESPN are clearly looking for the play to meet certain criteria.
And when it comes to pickleball, they definitely love everything about ATPs.
It's a sure-fire way to impress and end up on national TV.
Jaume Martinez Vich was featuerd in the No. 5 spot with an ATP in men’s singles.
Ben Johns also made the No. 5 spot with this ATP.
Catherine Parenteau was given the No. 8 spot with this ATP in women's doubles.
D.C. Pickleball Team's Dekel Bar snagged the No. 9 spot with this ATP in men's doubles.
This is what happens when you pregame with @StellaBlueCoff 🤩☕️ pic.twitter.com/qgbxGQ2yW6
— D.C. Pickleball Team (@dcpickleball_tm) June 17, 2024
James Ignatowich often catches the eye of ESPN producers with ATPs.
This men's doubles highlights earned him the No. 3 spot.
Ignatowich also secured the coveted No. 1 spot with another backhanded ATP in mixed doubles.
An ATP might be the most common shot that gets recognized, but any shot that basically looks impossible also qualifies.
Like a between the legs shot commonly known as a “tweener.”
Johns made the list again with this beauty in men's doubles.
In Jack Sock’s first-ever pickleball tournament in 2023, he reached the No. 5 spot with a tweener.
There was also this backhander from Jay Devilliers that made the No. 6 spot.
Collin Shick was No. 4 with a dazzling display of athleticism against Tyson McGuffin, who had him sprinting all over the place.
Here are some additional Top 10 shots featuring JW Johnson, Jhonnatan Medina-Alvarez, and Federico Staksrud.
Which is your favorite shot to make the list? Share with us on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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