Ever wonder how pros spend their time off the court on event days?

This past Saturday, during MLP Salt Lake City, Connor Garnett gave us an inside look at his daily routine.

Garnett decided to sleep in, have a slow morning, and enjoy the hotel’s continental breakfast with a waffle, eggs, and sausage. 

”I try to eat as little around the match as possible so I have the most energy,” he explained. ”But if I have more than two hours before my first match, then I’ll go eat more.”

Garnett also likes to meditate in the mornings. He puts on guided meditations on YouTube to get in the right headspace before the day begins. 

Before heading to The Picklr in Kaysville, he had to run to the Verizon store to buy a phone charger because he lost his. 

Prior to his match, Garnett sat in the Pickleballtv booth to commentate on the action and give expert insight about other Premier Level matches.

Then, it was time to warm up. 

“I like to quote Tiger Woods when he says that when he goes into a warmup, he’s not trying to hit the perfect shot. He’s instead trying to get 10 reps in of every shot. He’s not as concerned about the result of the warmup,” shared Garnett. “The whole point of the warmup is just to make sure your body’s ready to move explosively, so it’s about getting loose. My teammates and I will get together and we’ll run through dinks, drives, and serves, and we’ll play some points in mixed and men’s just to get some reps in.” 

So what do Garnett’s workouts look like off the court?

“My workouts include a lot of cardio and a bit of explosivity and agility, but it’s really about keeping the body healthy and strong,” he mentioned. “I also love to get a massage after a tournament or get dry needling to help my body recover.”  

Once he was ready to go, the Utah Black Diamonds faced the Atlanta Bouncers in Saturday Prime Time Pickleball.

Garnett, of course, always plays with a smile - no matter the score.

So is he just having the time of his life or is it a strategy to throw off his opponents?

“I play better when I’m enjoying it, and on a deeper note, you want to do something that you’re having fun with,” he said. “I’ve always been like that in sports. That mentality has increased the longevity of it because if you’re not having fun, I don’t know how anyone would play as long as they do.”

During the match, his teammate Allyce Jones successfully executed one of her signature crazy volleyball dive shots.

This time, though, it was also an ATP.

“My first thought was I hope she’s okay, but then I can’t get too distracted because the point can still be going and if she’s out here giving it her everything, then I need to be, too,” emphasized Garnett.

The Black Diamonds ultimately earned the victory in front of the home crowd.

“We have really good chemistry as a team, and with good chemistry it just makes it easier to continue fighting point after point,” he said.

Garnett’s mom Christine was also in attendance for support. 

“She’s a very nervous fan,” he mentioned with a laugh. “But it’s always fun when she gets to come watch me play, and I’m glad we got the win for her, too.” 

How does Garnett relax and unwind after the busy day? 

“I love sushi, but I’ll probably do something more carb-based tonight because I have two matches tomorrow,” he concluded. “I’ll also take advantage of the hot tub in the hotel, too, so I’m fresh and ready.”

Followed by a full eight hours of sleep, Garnett’s day is a successful one.