In the latest edition of Fans Want to Know, hosted by Dave Fleming, Canadian star Catherine Parenteau pulls back the curtain on two of the most intriguing parts of her game: why she’s always chewing gum and how she manages to slide on hard courts with ease.

“It helps with the nerves”—the gum habit explained

If you’ve ever watched Parenteau compete, you’ve probably noticed the gum.

It’s not just a quirk, it’s a routine that dates back to childhood.

“Growing up, I played a lot of baseball,” said Parenteau. “I would either chew gum or sunflower seeds. I always had something.”

When she transitioned fully into tennis and pickleball, sunflower seeds were no longer practical, so gum became the go-to. And despite a college coach once banning it, the habit stuck.

“In pickleball, nobody’s told me that I’m not allowed to yet,” mentioned Parenteau with a laugh. “I just like to chew gum. I think it helps with the anxiety, the nerves—and sometimes the digestion, too. It’s kind of a mental thing.”

Her preference is simple: mint gum, specifically the blue pack of 5 Gum, and she always keeps extras on hand.

“I always make sure I pack a few for every tournament,” she confirmed.

The secret behind her hard-court sliding

Another fan-favorite question: how does Parenteau slide on hard courts, a skill rarely seen outside of clay?

“I’m not sure, honestly,” she admitted. “I didn’t play a ton of clay, but I loved sliding. It was my favorite thing.”

That early exposure helped shape her movement, but what stands out is how naturally she’s carried it over to pickleball.

“Now I just trust it,” she said. “It’s not something I really think about. It just kind of happens.”

Her aggressive movement even caught the attention of her footwear sponsor, Skechers, which has had to modify her shoes to keep up.

“They’ve had to reinforce a lot of my shoes just to make sure I don’t destroy them,” she said.

Still, Parenteau offers a word of caution: “It’s not something I suggest you practice at home.”

Why sliding gives her an edge

Panto’s ability to slide isn’t just flashy—it’s functional.

“I feel like sometimes I can get to the ball a little faster,” she explained. “If I slide, I have a little bit more reach. It’s easier than decelerating—I can slide and then take off for the next shot.”

That fluid movement helps her stay dynamic in rallies and extend points defensively.

The baseball connection: a hidden advantage

Parenteau credits much of her success to playing multiple sports growing up, especially baseball.

“I think it’s important to play different sports,” she said. “You develop so much more—your hand-eye coordination, your instincts.”

She even compares her defensive style to a baseball catcher.

“I feel like I can be a catcher,” she said. “I’m trying to protect the ball, stay in front of it. It helps me tremendously with my defense.”

She’s not alone. Many top players bring skills from other sports, including Anna Leigh Waters, whose soccer background contributes to her elite footwork.

The bottom line

From chewing mint gum to sliding across hard courts, Parenteau's game is full of unique elements, but each one serves a purpose.

Whether it’s calming nerves, gaining an extra step, or drawing from a multi-sport background, her approach offers a simple lesson: the little things can make a big difference.

And if you’re looking to play like her? You might want to start by grabbing a pack of gum.