Chris Haworth: From Tennis to Pickleball Stardom
The Rise of Chris Haworth in Pickleball
Chris Haworth's ascent in the world of professional pickleball is a remarkable tale of resilience and passion. Initially, he pursued a career in professional tennis for nearly two years before returning to Oklahoma City to take on a coaching role, believing his playing days were over. However, a student introduced him to pickleball, and he quickly became captivated. "I kind of got hooked that first time," Haworth shared. His enthusiasm for the sport only intensified, leading him to achieve the rank of world No. 1 in men's singles within the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), marking one of the sport's most rapid rises.
Today, Haworth stands out not only for his athletic prowess but also as one of the most prominent openly gay athletes in pickleball. His husband, Jackie, often accompanies him on tour, allowing Haworth to compete authentically. "It feels really cool to experience it almost in a totally different way, to be able to be myself," he expressed, emphasizing the importance of representing the LGBT community.
Acceptance has become a natural part of his life on the tour. "I'm just another player, and when Jackie's with me, he's just another spouse that comes along," he noted, highlighting the normalcy of their relationship. His impressive performances keep the focus on his skills, and he credits his tennis background for his success in pickleball, particularly his aggressive baseline play and topspin-heavy technique.
Achieving the world No. 1 ranking was a long-held ambition for Haworth. "Everyone plays and expects to become number one," he remarked. "It doesn't happen for everyone, so actually accomplishing it was pretty cool." A pivotal moment in his career was defeating Ben Johns, a player widely regarded as the greatest in pickleball history. "To be able to beat someone that's done everything in the sport, this total legend," he reflected.
As pickleball's popularity surges across the United States, Haworth believes the professional scene still needs to cultivate recognizable names. "You go to a random club down the street, and they can only name a few pros," he pointed out. He advocates for building player personalities to engage fans more deeply with the sport. Looking forward, he sees the involvement of young players as crucial for the sport's evolution. "That's the next evolution of where pickleball needs to go," he stated, emphasizing the importance of getting kids involved.
Haworth aspires to inspire young athletes grappling with their identities. "It doesn't have to be this life-altering event that becomes front page news," he said. "Even if I can make a difference to one or two of them, that would mean the world to me." His journey transcends mere athletic achievement; it embodies the potential for authenticity and high-level performance to coexist harmoniously.