One of the most talked-about storylines right now centers on actress Sydney Sweeney and her recent campaign with Novig, a sports betting platform. The ad, which features Sweeney in a highly provocative setup with sports equipment strategically placed, has sparked significant backlash.

Female athletes across the country have voiced their frustration, calling the campaign disappointing and out of touch.

Ava Ignatowich shared her thoughts on the ad, and her response is a reminder of why so many people continue to love the sport of pickleball.

“My entire social media is covered with female athletes who are up in arms about this ad, sharing their stories, and talking about how much harder they have to work than men in sports just to earn respect. I’m seeing women say that Sydney Sweeney is setting us back 50 years. Seeing all of this play out, I can’t help but feel so much pride and so much gratitude for my sport,” explained Ignatowich.

“Say what you want about professional pickleball, but we have some of the most equal gender opportunities in all of sports. Women might be given even more opportunity than men. Show me another where men and women get paid the same, compete with each other, play alongside each other, and fan viewership is completely equal across genders,” she added.

“Show me another sport where the G.O.A.T., the most recognizable player, is a super cool 19-year-old girl. The face of our entire sport is a woman. So shout out to the PPA Tour and shout out to Anna Leigh Waters. Because as a woman in sports, I feel just as valued and just as respected as all the men around me. And unfortunately, most female athletes just don’t get to say that. Other sports need to take notes from pickleball,” she concluded.

Ignatowich summed it up perfectly. While she found the ad upsetting for valid reasons, she also pointed to what she sees as a positive contrast in her own sport, feeling a sense of equal opportunity and respect as an athlete. Her perspective, and her confidence in saying she feels just as valued as her male counterparts, is something the pro pickleball community can take pride in.

It’s especially meaningful, as a woman, to see the face of pickleball represented by another woman. Anna Leigh Waters—pickleball’s first Nike-signed pro and the first athlete from the sport to attend the ESPYs—is helping grow the game through her performance on court, not her looks.

One of the most unique aspects of pickleball is its balance: participation and viewership are close to a 50/50 split between men and women. Unlike many major sports leagues, it doesn’t skew heavily toward one gender in terms of audience, coverage, or attention. From broadcast presentation to prize money, there’s a level of parity that remains rare in professional sports.

That’s why it’s frustrating that women in sports still so often feel the need to prove their worth. And it’s disheartening when those outside the game diminish the work and dedication of female athletes who are competing at the highest level.

Still, as Ignatowich noted, moments like these ultimately reinforce pride in being part of pickleball and the inclusive culture the sport continues to build.

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