While more and more pro pickleball athletes are moving to South Florida for the good weather and training opportunities, Riley Newman headed in the opposite direction and moved to New York City over the summer. 

So how is the Big Apple treating him?

“I absolutely love it. I love the energy of the city and just how infectious it is,” praised Newman. “There’s always something to do, and I keep myself really active. I’m a big sports fan, so I enjoy going to all the games and going to concerts. It’s a lot of fun.”

Compared to Arizona, Texas, California, and Florida, New York generally isn't regarded as a pickleball hot spot.

Newman, however, has a different perspective on the subject.

“I think the city scares a lot of pros from moving there because there’s no one to really practice with,” shared Newman. “But, I actually looked at it from the other way around where there’s so many opportunities for pickleball with different corporate events, exhibitions, and clinics. It’s endless.”

Newman's high-rise apartment in Manhattan is actually above a LifeTime facility, so he’s always in close proximity to a court and everything else he needs to stay in shape and ready to perform.

“My goal moving there was to build up the pickleball scene more,” he explained. “One of the things I’m working on is a kids academy. We're introducing kids to the game through their schools, and basically putting paddles in their hands and teaching the game.”

Newman wasn't raised in a city environment.

His hometown is rather different.

“I grew up on a small island in Washington State where our senior class was 160 people in high school. I’ve known the same kids since I was in third grade,” he mentioned. “But ever since I graduated, I loved traveling to different places across the world, and I always thought New York City would be a cool place for me to live one day.” 

And at age 32, it seemed like the perfect time to relocate—especially since he's a member of MLP's Brooklyn Pickleball Team.

“I’m young, single, and I thought this would be the time to do it,” said Newman. “I’m in the middle of seven siblings and all my sisters are in Arizona and on the west coast, and I wanted to be independent and give it a go.”

Newman has also undertaken a fun challenge to play at as many public courts as possible around the city to meet new people across different pickleball communities.

Life is good in NYC. 

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