Playing pickleball with your significant other is never easy. You either walk away relieved that no arguments erupted, lose the match because your partner’s tension gives your opponents the upper hand, or vow never to team up again because you just can’t get along on the court.

Yet some couples don’t just play together, they excel, competing at the highest level. Teams like Lucy Kovalova and Matt Wright, Hannah Blatt and Grayson Goldin, Julian Arnold and Lauren Stratman, and many others prove it’s possible.

Though Maggie Brascia is a signed pro player, her long-term boyfriend Nick Black also boasts a high DUPR and has competed in multiple pro qualifiers and main draws. At the Daytona Beach Open presented by Roar, the two teamed up to compete in mixed doubles.

Black often attends tournaments to both compete and support Brascia, but teaming up with her on the court was a whole different experience.

“She’s a top female, she should not be in qualifiers, but she was doing a charitable service playing with me. It was a lot of fun, but there was a lot of pressure because Maggie is so amazing. I wanted to make sure that I was a good, encouraging boyfriend and a nice partner on the court because we’re really there to have fun,” said Black. “We unfortunately lost in the first round to Meghan Dizon and AJ Koller in a tight game three. Couple versus couple was actually epic.” 

While Brascia and Black came up short, he still considered the match a victory.

“We lost, but we felt like we won in the long run because we didn’t fight, didn’t bicker,” he explained. “We just had a great time together, and that’s always a win. Anytime you can get along with your significant other on the pickleball court, that’s a big win.” 

Black and Brascia train and play together regularly, but Black said he learned a lot when he competed alongside her.

“I’ve learned that it’s better to be quiet and keep the criticisms to yourself because it only hurts you if you focus on the negatives. Of course we bicker when we train, or I can get frustrated when she body bags me. We’re not perfect,” admitted Black.

“But if there's something strategically that really stands out, wait until you both cool off and you’re able to think a bit better and you can have an emotionally mature, chill conversation,” he continued..

“But in the moment, it’s really about choosing to love each other over winning. That’s what’s important. And honestly, you play better when you’re having fun. As long as you’re positive, you’re choosing kindness over being critical, and that always tends to be good,” he added.

Positivity is widely recognized as one of the top qualities in a pro player and is equally valued in a partner.

It’s no surprise, then, that it holds the same importance in romantic partnerships competing on the court.

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