If tennis enthusiasts think the PPA Tour gets loud and rowdy, they clearly haven’t experienced a Major League Pickleball (MLP) event. Take the high-energy atmosphere of the PPA and turn it up another level. That’s MLP.

Fans are encouraged to passionately support their favorite teams, players often spark crowd chants, and some teams, like the Phoenix Flames, even bring whistles courtside to amplify the noise.

MLP thrives on energy and fan interaction, and few people embody that better than Rachel Rohrabacher’s fiancé, Bobby Edwards.

Edwards said that while he tends to stay quiet and reserved when cheering Rohrabacher on at PPA tournaments, he becomes far more vocal and animated during MLP events.

“In MLP, I’m known for being louder and more vocal, which is the MLP format. For PPA, I just clap and I’m a bit quieter. MLP has that team format, so I just enjoy the atmosphere that it’s created,” said Edwards. “It’s all in good fun. I had a career that lets me know where that line is.”

Edwards, a former goalkeeper for the Indy Eleven, says his energetic chants of “Here we go Rachel!” and “Let’s go Brooklyn!” stem from his soccer background and the passionate atmosphere that comes with the sport.

“Goalkeepers tend to get the trash talking and yelling the worst because you’re standing on the goal and the crowd is right behind you,” he explained. “When I was a goalkeeper, I always thought, ‘Man, it’d be fun to do that. I’d love to be back there and be one of the guys who can be in the crowd and get loud.’ MLP is the perfect place to do that.”

In fact, Rohrabacher’s team, the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, considers Edwards their secret weapon.

His unwavering energy and vocal support not only motivate the players, but also add to the excitement for fans in attendance.

“I think sometimes when he’s in the crowd, the fans are a little jarred at first,” mentioned Rohrabacher. “He’s started to warn the people around him and say, ‘That’s my fiancé! Sorry if I’m being a little too loud.’ Usually, people respond really well when he also braces them.”

Edwards even found himself in a spirited back-and-forth with Jack Sock during last year’s MLP playoffs.

Widely regarded as one of pro pickleball’s top trash talkers, Sock embraced the lighthearted exchange and played right along.

“I like the team atmosphere, and I love when it’s loud,” said Sock. “He’s a very passionate guy.”

“I don’t help Rachel on the court for strategy, but I can yell out and express my love for this woman,” insisted Edwards. “I’m taking full advantage of this opportunity to cheer on her and her entire team. It’s just fun to do.”

Surprisingly, Rohrabacher says she rarely notices Edwards’ cheers while she’s in the middle of competition.

“When I’m on the court, I don’t hear much. When he’s cheering for the other people who are playing, then I’ll laugh at some of the things he says,” shared Rohrabacher. “I think he’s really funny, but I’m biased.”

At the end of the day, Rohrabacher appreciates and embraces the incredible encouragement she receives from him.

“I’m so lucky and grateful to have a partner who is all into what I’m doing and supports me in everything,” she concluded. “It makes my job easier.”

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