There aren’t many professional sports where athletes can continue competing while expecting a baby, but pro pickleball is one of them.

Over the years, several players have remained on tour during their pregnancies, and Tammy Emmrich is proving that motherhood and high-level competition can go hand in hand. Not only is she proudly competing while pregnant, but she’s also playing some outstanding pickleball.

“It’s going to be cool to show the baby what mom did while she was pregnant,” said Emmrich.

Now five and a half months pregnant, Emmrich has embraced the adjustments that come with competing while expecting. Although her game has evolved to match her changing body, her perspective remains rooted in gratitude and excitement for the journey.

“I’m getting big and I definitely don’t move as quickly, but I’m so fortunate that my body is able to grow a human,” she explained. “I’m so grateful to still be an athlete and do this, so I’m taking it one day at a time.”

Traveling, competing, and raising her daughter Gabby is already a full plate—now, doing it all while pregnant adds an entirely new level of challenge.

“I pray before I go to bed that I have a good night's sleep because I’ve been super tired. That’s been the biggest thing I’ve noticed. I’m just exhausted all the time, especially during the first trimester. Martin would take Gabby and I’d go to the locker room or the pro lounge and take a 10-minute nap. Luckily, I’m not as tired now,” she said. 

“I've been lucky with both Gabby and this one that I haven’t gotten morning sickness too badly. During the first trimester, sometimes I woke up in the morning and I couldn’t drink water because it made me feel sick, so I’d have to drink sparkling water or flavored water. As an athlete, you really need to hydrate, so that was one of the hardest things. I’ve also been craving peaches, so every city we go to, I have to get peaches.”

Another mom on tour, Brooke Buckner, competed deep into her own pregnancy—and as one of Emmrich’s closest friends, her support has carried extra weight.

“Brooke said, ‘If I can do it, you can too.’ She's my idol. I think she played until she was seven months along. I don’t know if I can go that far, but I’m going to try for a few events in the upcoming PPA season,” mentioned Emmrich. “I’m a little slow, but I can still move. I have amazing partners and they’re definitely going to carry me, but I still feel confident.”

Most recently at MLP Orlando, Emmrich earned a women’s doubles victory alongside Tina Pisnik against the Palm Beach Royals. With her family cheering nearby and a close friend by her side, the moment carried added significance.

“I really wanted to show my daughter and other moms out there that you really can do it. Pickleball is such an amazing sport, and the fact that I can play pregnant and have the support of my family and my team, it’s really amazing,” concluded Emmrich. “I just hope that when other moms watch me with my belly playing pro pickleball, that they’ll be inspired too.”

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