Avid pickleball player and lifestyle influencer Loryn Hansbrough trained alongside her husband Ben Hansbrough to play mixed doubles (5.0) at the Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® Pickleball World Championships. 

These two have participated in their fair share of pickleball tournaments, but Worlds was a completely different experience because Loryn actually hit the court while 32 weeks pregnant at Brookhaven Country Club.

Hansbrough isn't the first woman to play at a high level in the latter stages of pregnancy, of course.

Brooke Buckner, who boasts three singles gold medals this season on the PPA Tour, competed at 30 weeks.

“I don’t last as long, that’s for sure,” said Hansbrough with a laugh. “I can play about half the amount of time I used to because my back is telling me, ‘Okay. You’re done.’”

Despite the fatigue, Hansbrough has found that pregnancy is positively impacting her pickleball game. 

“Honestly, I think it’s helped me to slow down because you have to stop to hit the ball. Before when I was super active, I could move really quick, and sometimes I’d run through my shots. Now when I get there, I have to be slower and make sure that I’m hitting a good, solid shot, and give myself time to do that,” she explained. “It’s kind of been funny because people have told me that I’m playing great even though I don’t have the same energy and stamina.”

Though Hansbrough only played in one event, she spent the rest of her time at Worlds watching the pros, walking Pickleball Boulevard, and sitting courtside for Ben’s 5.0 match in men’s doubles. 

With their third child on the way, the Hansbroughs enjoyed their quality time together. 

“We’re considering this tournament our babymoon,” she mentioned. “Our two kids didn’t come with us and I’m due around Christmas, so this is our last trip kid-free.” 

Loryn also shared that her six-year-old son, Benji, is a huge pickleball player. 

“He loves pickleball. When he’s at my sister’s house and she’s babysitting them, right after dinner he asks to go to the court and wants to go practice,” she revealed. “That’s his little night time routine.”

Given just how much pickleball Hansbrough has played while pregnant, I think Baby H is destined to be the next Junior PPA superstar.