You could hardly blame 18-year-old Gabe Tardio for being a little flustered during the first few seconds of his post-match interview at the PPA Tour's Las Vegas Pickleball Cup on Sunday.

It was just minutes after he claimed a second consecutive men's doubles gold medal with partner Andrei Daescu by defeating Dekel Bar and Zane Navratil in four games.

"Well, there are some new kids on the block. Back-to-back titles. What's come together for the two of you?" asked PickleballTV's Hannah Johns.

"Yeah, I think uh... I think our main uh... Hang on, you've got to repeat the question. I'm lost right now," replied Tardio, fueling playful chuckles from Daescu and spectators in attendance.

Maybe he was simply processing all of the hard work and dedication that it took to finally enjoy the kind of success he always envisioned for himself, especially winning championships in bunches.

Tardio has secured three gender doubles gold medals over the last four tournaments. 

There's the crowns with Daescu in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, and one alongside Federico Staksrud in Kansas City.

He also earned a coveted mixed doubles title with Jessie Irvine in Salt Lake City, too, by defeating the formidable duo of Anna Bright and James Ignatowich.

Tardio's recent medal haul is a rather impressive feat, especially at such a young age.

"It's funny because I started playing in Bolivia. My grandfather had a court there. I don't know how he found pickleball," he said. "I played for the first time when I was 12 years old, and then when I moved to the United States at 14, COVID hit and I couldn't play tennis anymore, so I hit some pickleballs."

"And it's worked out pretty well, huh?" noted Johns with a smile.

It sure has.