Today we have probably the most accomplished person in pickle ball, but she did it in tennis. Genie Buchard. >> Grew up in Montreal, Canada. Moved to Florida when I was 12 for tennis. Lived a very abnormal childhood, I would say, but you know, sacrifice ended up being worth it. And so, as soon as I started like doing well, I continued just being myself on social media and I just kept doing that first on Twitter when it came out and then on Instagram when that came out. It was just like unique in the sense of like I was I was still acting like a normal teenager. I was in Rome and I got the pope in the background at the Vatican and like >> people lost their mind. Like >> I just remember my agents coming to me and they were like hey like PPA are looking to bring some tennis players over and I definitely felt the appeal of trying something new joining something that is exploding. I was like why not let's just go for it. I went 0 and nine in my first three tournaments. I lost first round all three events. >> Has it been hard being Genie Bousard? Welcome back to Pickleballers delivered by Door Dash. Today we have probably the most accomplished person in pickle ball, but she did it in tennis. Jeannie Bousard. She has had an amazing tennis career and now has been just rising through the ranks on the PPA tour. Jeannie, thanks for being here. Thanks for making the time. I know you just got off a flight, scured over here, so I appreciate it. I'm excited to have you on here and have this conversation. Of >> course, thank you for having me. Are are you are you sad right now? >> Why would I be sad? >> Because of the Blue Jays. >> Oh my gosh. Yes. I just spent the weekend in Toronto and let me tell you, it was sad. I watched game six, but even after the lost game six, like there was still hope, you know, so people were still like running around downtown screaming Jay's in seven and then we were in the lead in game seven and lost. And >> it was one of the greatest games ever. >> It was It was great for sports, but as a you know, a a fan of Canadian sports, it's our only team. >> It was really uniting the country. I felt like our country really needed it. Yeah. >> Really? >> Did you like that? >> Oh, the the fans were they were nuts. >> No matter what city you're from, you support the Jays because they're the only MLB team we have. >> Everyone but Dodgers fans wanted the Jays. >> Did you see I disagree with that? Everyone, Dude, it was like the whole everyone was into the to the Jays. >> People don't want dynasties. They don't want repeats. >> They don't want the team spends all the money. >> I'm like that, too. I They did. Yeah. Did you guys see LA today, though? You guys see like videos? >> I saw some stuff online. Yeah. It's pretty amazing what >> a win like that can do to a city. Like even LA I remember when the Rams won the Super Bowl like >> I went out that night and it was like I've never seen like football. >> Yeah. But I was I was watching the Super Bowl. Yeah. I mean I'm not like we all are. >> Yeah. It's Super Bowl. >> But LA was like >> the greatest place on earth that night. Like it's amazing what's great in general. >> But back on topic. Thank you for coming on straight from the the airplane getting the rental car. I will say I I've been in the sport for about 6 years and you were the only person that I knew that is a pickleball player before I got into the sport and it was from tennis and so I just thought that was interesting. I was walking back from dinner and I was just thinking about that. So >> Oh wow. Feel really special. >> Yeah. >> Usually people in pickle ball, you know, know all the pickle ball players. >> I I didn't saying before he got into pickle ball. >> Yeah. You're the only person. >> You're the only pickle ball player that I knew, but I didn't know you were in pickle pickle ball. So, anyways, >> um, so I think it's cool, especially with pickle ballers, people get to kind of learn the personal life and the backstory of the players and we've had more than just players on, right? We've had Drew Brees and we've had John Mackey and a bunch of interesting people, but it's connecting people through stories. And so, I want to go back to your childhood a little bit. I know you grew up in Canada and Yeah. What was your life like growing up? Yeah, I grew up in Montreal, Canada. Um, moved to Florida when I was 12 for tennis. Definitely felt like I had to to go there to um, you know, train at themies, the coach. It's kind of the mecca for tennis, I would say, in the US besides maybe California. Um, and you know, I love Canada. Canada was great, but tennis at the time was really not what it is now, tennis in Canada. So, we didn't have any national centers the way you guys have the USA. And so, my parents were like, to have a real shot at this, like, we have to get out. There's also the issue of the weather. you know, we have to play indoors like seven, eight months a year and that's just not realistic for trying to become a professional when all the tournaments are outdoors. So, lived a very abnormal childhood, I would say, which I know you did as well and can relate to just, >> you know, missing school. I mean, you said you were homeschooled. I I wasn't homeschooled, but almost essentially had to try teach myself, right? I'm like traveling on the road with my science book and after playing tennis for 6 hours that day, I'm trying to like like do my assignments and I give them in late and I take tests late. And so it was um it was definitely like tough handling both school and tennis, especially in the later years when tennis got more important and school got harder. So um tough childhood, but you know, sacrifice ended up being worth it. >> Do you have siblings? >> I have a twin sister, younger sister, younger brother. A >> twin sister. >> Yes. >> Right on. Does she play tennis? >> Nope. That's the normal follow-up question I get every time. Uh, we could not be more opposite. I'm more the tomboy. She's more the social butterfly uh, girly girl. I'm very not social as you can tell. >> But, uh, are you not social? >> Disagree with that. >> I I find myself a little more on the introverted side like in personally, you know, and I know there's this whole like public aspect to my life, but I definitely >> I'm not like the most outgoing person naturally. I can like turn it on when I need to, which is what I'm doing right now. But, >> uh, yeah. So, totally different. All my, uh, siblings, you know, athletic, but in just normal kid ways, not like this like weird way that I was. >> So, you were just naturally gifted tennis player or athlete. >> I think probably they're related, right? You know, I was athletic. I did soccer, basketball, um, see skating lessons. >> So, you were playing other sports. >> Mandatory in Canada. Yeah. But, you know, quickly specialized to tennis. It was what I loved. And I remember there's this story uh I've I've said before about how different my sister and I are. My parents put us in these like tennis groups once a week and it was mostly we were 5 years old so it was mostly fun, right? We're like jumping in hoops and like playing with balloons and they would only feed us tennis balls for 10 minutes at the end. And all the kids loved it cuz they were like, "Yay, games fun." And uh my sister loved it. And I would come off the court in literal tears to my parents and being like, "We only hit balls for 10 minutes at the end. Like I want to play more tennis." and they were like, "She's weird. Uh, let's let's capitalize on this." And, uh, you know, put me in private lessons, group lessons, and yeah, played my first tournament at 8. Meanwhile, my twin sister retired at age six. So, very different paths in life. >> So, you were very competitive from the start, you think? >> For sure. For sure. I remember playing my first tournament. I I won it and I just My two favorite things about tennis were the feeling of hitting a ball and then the competition. And so I I'm competitive in I think most aspects of my life as well, which can be bad. You know, you have to know when to like turn it on, turn it off, and >> not, you know, get into a fight with your family over a board game. But we're still learning. >> Every board game, >> every single one. >> I think it's it's a good thing in terms of it allows you to accomplish your goals, though. It it really is like the competitive ones are the ones who are able to strive for their goals and achieve them, whereas sometimes if you don't have that edge, you you know, you don't go the extra mile. Sometimes I'm I'm even, you know, dealing with that myself. I'm like, I need to like push even more. Um, but it's hard to turn it on and off and especially from a young age. I think um it's uh it can like overwhelm you, especially when tennis is like the the main thing. And like you said, you moved to the US just to train at such a young age. What was that like? >> Yeah, it was tough. It was uh you know, away from home. My mom came down with me at first and then she would go back and forth to be with the other kids and my grandma would come down and it was just kind of like trying to make it work. At one point actually all my my parents wanted all my siblings to be together which I think was was nice and so all my siblings came down for a year in Florida and uh >> what part of Florida again? >> This was uh like Sunrise Plantation so west of Fort Lauderdale. searching at Nick Saviano's Academy and my parents had found him at a tournament and thought he was great and he ended up being my you know tennis coach and tennis dad I like to say for most of my career basically >> but my siblings resented me for that uh because you know leaving school in I don't know grade all your best friends like of course that's tough and I was like well maybe it was good you know you got to see the world you don't get out of your little all girls private school in Montreal and you know go to public school in Florida like you know >> and they were like No, that's not good. >> I was like, that's like a nice learning curve. And they were like, no, they probably still resent me to it for this day. So, I try to buy them nice Christmas presents and stuff. >> That's what you got to do. I'm one of of four boys, so I know how it is. Um, but I had, you know, all three of my brothers played tennis. My mom was in professional tennis player. My dad was in the tennis business. So, it was like I was kind of born into tennis, so it was very easy to go that way. I already lived in LA where I was able to train, you know, Carson, USA, and stuff. How did that kind of translate into you becoming this junior who's very competitive and obviously there's so many people trying to strive for the same goals as you to you being like, "Hey, I'm going to go take this shot at becoming a pro tennis player and eventually obviously you made it." Um, but not going to college, going straight into pros. Like it's a lot of pressure on somebody. >> That's a huge decision. And I remember being 14 15 when all of us our age were at that point in our junior career of like okay are we forgoing amateur status and going pro or are we going to like do backup plan and um >> which is what college >> scholarship out of college. Yeah. >> I I think of it as I was very like on track. I I at 9 years old I remember traveling to France for a big international tournament 12 and under which I qualified for at nine which was kind of good considering you know the physical differences every age are a big deal and I remember thinking wow I can travel and play tennis like I want to do this as a professional and so I tell people don't necessarily make you know your career decisions at age nine but for me that's how it was like really in my bones I was like I'm trying to be a professional tennis player and I remember thinking if I don't make it I would just want to go to college as like a normal girl and not play tennis at all cuz for me that would be almost like too painful to play for a team in college when I really wanted to go pro. That being said, I think it's an amazing path in life and I have so many friends who got scholarships to amazing universities and also actually now which happens more often try to go pro after as well. So, >> and is that more common? >> It is more common now. >> It's weirdly becoming more common because like you said like when you go that college route it's almost like it feels like a death sentence in a way. you're like, "All right, like I'm foregoing my" and you know, you tell yourself at first like, "Yeah, I'll go play one year." And then it's, you know, >> is it because you just don't get as much time to train because you're in school and you become sidetracked with social stuff and >> Yeah. You Exactly. Like training becomes, you know, second priority and you're not out there playing with the best in the world anymore, pushing yourself each week. I feel like when, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but when you're out there and there's only one option, and I feel like this is why a lot of the international um players do better, it's like there's no option to to go to college. It's like the the only goal is become a pro tennis player or go do something else. Um in in America, you have the option to go to college, play a university, get a good degree, get a good scholarship. And it's like now it's become a little bit of a bridge, especially with NIL money. But um yeah, like I mean >> back in the day it was not. It was like you go to college and that's pretty much the end of your tennis career. But that was exactly my point. In my head I had no plan B. It was plan A or nothing. And I think that helped me strive for plan A even more. And I know other players around me atmies were like okay if I don't make it like I'll get a scholarship. And they all ended up getting scholarships which again is still an amazing path in life. But for my personal journey, not having a backup plan just kind of like pushed me more towards the main plan and it was like do or die. >> This is Pickle Ballers delivered by Door Dash. We are giving away 10 $100 gift cards to 10 people who comment their favorite part of this podcast below. At what age did you realize, wow, that I'm really really good at this to the point where I could be a top pro? >> I don't know if I ever thought like I'm really good. in in the juniors, especially on the the younger end. I wasn't like the best in the world or anything like that. I only became really good in the juniors actually towards the end of my junior career, which is >> kind of rare. Yeah, it's a lot of times you'll see juniors like do well at some slam 15, 16, and then stop playing juniors. They're like too good, you know? Oh, I'm going to only play pro events now. And I did kind of the opposite strategy. I played till I was 18. I won junior Wimbledon at 18 years old. >> And so I was >> And what's the typical age? >> Like probably younger, 15, 16. >> Yeah. on the women's side. I think >> especially the women's side, maybe men's is a little different. >> And I think um that like reverse psychology actually helped me because I had to beat 15 year olds the entire tournament. And you know what kind of pressure that is, especially in juniors, age is a big thing. In the pros, you care about it less, but it's like, you know, playing someone younger is like you have to beat them. And I think that helped my like mental toughness of having to beat all these younger players. And when >> you think you have an advantage as an 18-year-old or is that not how it works? >> For sure. Physically, probably a little bit. Still, I think the physical advantages, you know, stop when you're in your 20s, but at ages, yes, definitely. But still, the mental pressure, I mean, you you know what I'm talking about, >> especially when this is your kind of last rende before being like, I'm going to go play in the big leagues now. It's it's it's a lot of pressure. And congrats, by the way. I just think that's >> an insane thing to do. I know it's so long ago, but like I just it's like winning junior Wimbledon is is something that's like overlooked. It's like >> even junior tennis is like so competitive at that level. Um and there's just so many things going on like you talked about college and decisions being made. Um did that propel you even more to be like I'm for sure skipping college and just going pro? >> Yeah. Well, wouldn't 18 be too late anyway or would I still be >> You could you could still do it. >> I don't even know how it works. >> Dumb question. Is junior Wimbledon the same time like right before Wimbledon? Okay. >> Yeah. It's the second week. So, every slam is two weeks long and they always have the junior events the second week, >> which is great learning experience. I mean, you you feel like you're a pro when you're a junior playing at those events. >> They're press and everything. >> Yeah. Yeah. Like it's like a bigger deal than a normal junior tournament. So, that is is and I say this really catapulted me into the pros. I think even though it was a junior tournament, winning a prestigious event like Wimbledon, it just gave me so much confidence that I went and I I played I took a week off after that, flew the day before, played at at 25,000 in Grandby. Uh and and I won it and then and then I made the quarters of DC a 250 the week after and I literally went on this crazy match win streak. Um because you know nothing can replicate the feeling of like the confidence walking on the court being used to winning you know walking on the court being like >> like it's normal to win. It's like a habit. Yes. I couldn't agree more. >> Did you beat players that a casual tennis fan would know in that junior >> in the finals? I beat Alina Spitalina. So she um she was exactly my age. So actually she was still playing it in pretty late. And then I in the pros I did well before her and then she has done amazing since and had a kid and is now back and still playing really well. So um >> this is this is a weird question. Were you top 100 within one year of winning that junior Wimbledon? >> So that would have been summer of 2012 and I let me think I got top 100 about exactly a year later. So Sam Corey like has said this thing and I've argued with him a little bit but he's like I feel like anyone who ends up making it does it with or makes it top 100 does it within their first year on tour like Ben Shelton right he won all those challengers he became top 100. Um >> you think it's like a confidence thing or validation? >> It's not getting bogged down in the challenger circuit. >> Yeah. Like they do it quickly and he did it quickly like when when he um started playing pro and didn't go to USC. Tommy Paul was the only one that kind of like didn't take that like he was playing challengers for a while and then ended up making it. Um, but I just think it's funny that he says it and it's, you know, obviously kind of true like it you don't get bogged down in those challenges. >> I'd say you probably see it more often than not this this path just because sometimes when you get stuck in the minor leagues, it's it's so tough to get out of them because it is equally as tough down there and uh you know, you have to win so many matches just to earn some points. You're not you're losing money every week. It's a brutal grind. An exception that comes to mind is Jesse Pagula, obviously. So, she is exactly my age. She was born, I think, one day before me actually. So, I grew grew up with her in the juniors and everything. And, you know, my trajectory was again more at the beginning. And she was always outside the top 100 till like 25 or something. And then obviously now we all know how good she is and has been consistently top 510 for so long. So, there are exceptions. >> What leads to that? Like, how did that happen do you think with Jesse? >> She uh she talks a lot about her fitness. So, she said that she started working with a new trainer and really took it more seriously and basically made changes um to to adjust and get better. But at the same time, I think there's there's always timing and luck and >> yeah, it's like so random and sometimes you hit, you know, spurts of confidence. >> So, have a good draw, get some confidence, like the stars line up and as opposed to, you know, years of it not lining up. >> There's always a little bit of that at play, I think. >> For sure. So you win junior Wimbledon, you start doing really well in the pros right off the bat. What is that journey like to kind of getting through those? You, you know, you got through the challenger tour and you're now playing WTA. What is that journey like working your way, you know, to ultimately being top five in the world? I I don't want to jump that fast. I want to spend some time focusing on like >> I'm I'm also curious like brand when did brand become a thing, >> right? Like is that just is that I'm assum I mean there's a lot of athletes in pickle ball who where brand isn't a thing. >> When you say brand, what do you mean by that? >> Like brand image like >> their own personal brand. >> And and this is might be another dumb question. Was Anna Cornova before you? >> Yes. >> Okay. Like >> who do you think I am? >> Well, I I don't I don't know. Jared's not a tennis guy, but yeah, >> I can tell by every question. >> I I figured she was, but I don't know how many years. >> She was my first idol. >> Okay. >> And I say this to people and I say I wanted to be just like her. I thought she was so cool and good and pretty and I wanted to use the exact I bought my parents bought me Yonx rackets because that's what she used and people give her so much hate and I'm like you get to eight in the world in your field and then come back and talk to me she got to in the world in singles semis of Wimbledon multiple slams and doubles with Martina Henus and I'm like but because she had this whole other side to her and you know was so marketable and famous like the most googled person or Yahoo Googled person whenever that came out you know internet like >> she put tennis on the map for so many people >> and people focus on that and give her so much hate and I'm like literally her biggest offender and >> do you know her? >> You know, I met her once very quickly at like Junior Wimbledon years ago, but I I actually really would like love to meet her and talk to her about her experiences because I feel like I went through some similar things as well later on. >> Um, but I'm like she inspired me to play tennis. How is that a negative, you know, and me and countless of others. So, I'm like, anyway, that was just my She doesn't deserve the hate print, but anyway, >> she's before my time, but I there's a picture of me when I was like 2 years old, and she's like holding me like in our living room. We'll put it on here. >> Wait, that's really cute. That's like an amazing photo. >> I know. And I should frame that. >> If you're wondering what this hat is that I'm always wearing, it's a pickle baller hat. And guess what? You can get your own, too. Click the link down below to get access to the limited drop for this pickle baller hat. Yeah. So, what's this journey like? because I remember your name just being, you know, plastered everywhere when you started working through the ranks. Like it was like you were different than most players. I don't even know what it was, but like you know Jared said like brandingwise, um the way you played, how you carried yourself, how you worked your way to the top pretty fast. Um what was that journey like? it it's uh you know in the moment it it felt so normal and then looking back with hindsight and with time I look back I'm like okay wow that was like pretty special and and cool to have accomplished you know certain things I accomplished at that time um but in the moment you and you know how it is we've played tennis for so long and worked so hard that whenever I started having good results it was never like a surprise to me it was like okay like I've worked so hard like I I I earned this you know and obviously the outside don't know you and so they don't know let's say that 10 15 years you've put in already. So they >> it sound it can be surprising to like the public let's say but for me it felt very much like aligned with my nine-year-old self of like I'm going to be a professional tennis player like yeah of course I'm going to do well at this tourn you know it's just this >> you prepared you you put in the time you put in the >> 10act dedicating your whole something it's just it ends up being like okay this is the equation this is exactly the answer I was expecting from having done all these things before. So yeah, but it was interesting because I was at a time when um you know, social media was much less than it is now, but just starting. And uh >> it's interesting because I don't know, well, you're younger than me, but I grew up with Facebook. Like I don't know if you did. >> I grew up I I remember my first Facebook message. >> Okay, there you go. >> I'm older and so I definitely remember Facebook. >> You were definitely Facebook. So, we were still me and my siblings were still in the whole Facebook uh world. And um and so as soon as I started like doing well, I continued just being like myself on social media, like me and my siblings and friends would post funny pictures on Facebook, whatever. And I just kept doing that first on Twitter when it came out and then on Instagram when that came out. And I think um >> it it was just like unique in the sense of like I was I was still acting like a normal teenager, you know? It was very authentic, very not planned, very not sponsored, just like, "Oh, here's a selfie of me and like I was in Rome and I got the pope in the background at this at the Vatican and like people like love that." And it's like that's what I would have posted. >> People lost their mind like >> but you know like >> No, it's it's funny. >> That's what I would have posted like if I was just a normal kid. If I was my sister who just happened to be at the Vatican, you know, and so I think people appreciated that just like >> authenticity. Authenticity. It's huge. >> Yeah. and not and and also like showing more than just tennis. Like back in the day, social tennis players on social media were very much like, "Okay, practice pick once a week." And it was just very >> wasn't even them posting anything. >> No personality, no behind the scenes, quite like boring, very joboriented. And I was just like, I'm a normal 19-year-old. Like, yes, I'm playing in the Australian Open, but I'm also like going bowling or Yeah, I went back home. I went to Halloween with my friends. We all got dressed up and went out. like I was showcasing the normal parts of my life. Um, which I think took people like by surprise. >> I think no one even thought to post that stuff cuz you're right like before social media was like just another form of marketing especially as an athlete, right? It was like >> just one woman like you post something like there was no behind the scenes or it wasn't treating it as as a personal account. Um, which I feel like you did. It was more of a business account. Yeah. public figure account. >> I do I do think uh celebrities and influencers the I word who um remain authentic and just be themselves. I think and I could be wrong and you might correct me for being wrong. It is an easier um like you get less haters maybe because you're just being yourself and authentic. Is there any truth to that? >> I mean look, I have my fair share of haters so I can't I can't attest to that. you can connect deeper with people which is going to give you more I think love and we've seen that even in pickle ball with some of these players like that kind of are just so open um >> we were talking about like Anna Bright the other day like very like um just herself you know and people like that >> just leaning into it >> yeah yeah >> but I love that I love following accounts that where I feel like they're really just being open on themselves because so many people out there it's like a wall and it's a facade and it's so fake and so yeah I never wanted to be that way there are definitely parts of my life I keep more personal and and private but um I try to be as just genuine with my fans as possible and I think the ones who've like seen this journey I've been on really like I've appreciated that and um but in a way I do it because I'm also I'm so grateful to them you know I wouldn't have what I have or uh you know even have a job like this if the fans didn't exist right so to me I always had that like fan first mentality and it's for me it's all about giving back to the fans it >> it's so interesting to to do these interviews with people like you know we interviewed Ben recently and I mean tennis is a much bigger sport. Ben's at the top of the game in tennis, but like I mean pickle ball maybe he may he probably wouldn't have been as good at tennis but he uh he was so he was so humble and I don't know you but you seem super humble. You seem very real and down to earth and I think that like I I feel privileged and honored to be able to like do these conver have have these conversations um to just get to know people better and see who they really are. It's interesting you say that because I've, you know, throughout events and things in my life, I've met famous quote unquote famous people and uh I always just so appreciate when I meet someone who's in some celebrity position and they're so normal and humble and those are the people I just relate with so much and some are not like that for sure. But the >> most are though I think >> more often than not you'll find that they are especially the ones who really like earned whatever they achieved where things weren't maybe handed to them on a silver platter or luck or >> not like Haktua. I mean, hawk two would probably >> either a luck thing or maybe like an industry thing like um >> you know, a parent who like got someone in or just luck. I don't know. I feel like athletes though more than other types of industries. And I'm not hating on other industries, but you really have to earn it as an athlete. Like you can't just like go viral and be famous or you can't like go to an audition and just get it and and kind of get a lucky break. Like you have to put the blood, sweat, and tears in every single day from age five. And so I think most athletes are actually like that because we we know where we come from and we know how hard it was to achieve what we did and uh the journey is just so brutal. So there's there's no reason to be, you know, any other way. >> Well said. >> It's funny you say like I owe it to my fans, but the reason you have fans in the first place is because you were able to accomplish stuff that no one else was able to accomplish. You were able to get to number five in the world. You got to the finals of Wimbledon semis of other Grand Slams. First Canadian-born player to reach a singles final. Yes. >> Yeah. Oh my gosh. First tennis comet. That's accurate. >> I know some stuff. I know a little bit. Who told you that? Huh? >> You prepped him right before was like this. >> No, I I told him that. Which but but again, it's >> it's you know, you're you're you have a huge social media presence. You're very good at branding yourself, but at the same time, you've accomplished so much in the sport. Is that Do those things ever get like mistaken? And are you do people ever like know you as just like this social media presence and this person who's branded themselves so well and they ever forget that you know you achieved top five in the world. You got to the finals W. You were one of the greatest tennis players um in the world. >> Um well thank you for being so nice about my career. >> I mean it's just a fact though. It's like five in the world in the world of anything. I mean especially something as big as tennis is insane. Well, as a tennis player, I think it's easy to be like, you know, I I wanted to be a pro tennis player my whole life and, you know, I was number one in the in the nation as a junior and I didn't even, you know, didn't even really play pro tennis. So, like I know how hard it is to achieve those things and I just think it's super awesome to, you know, when people understand how hard that really is and you did it. So, I think it's it's really impressive. >> I I think we could like talk about how hard it is to wear blue in the face and unless you experience it yourself. Yeah, >> people will never really understand which is normal, you know, and so you can't expect a normal person to understand like the journey I went through and even the people super close to me, even my sisters, my family, they don't know the feeling of like walk, they saw how hard I've worked my whole life, but they don't know the feeling of walking out onto center court at Wimbledon and the pressure that you feel. And so there's only a select few people literally in the world who can understand this unique feeling. just how I can't understand, you know, what a CEO and he goes into the boardroom and has to like fire half his like I you know what I mean? So, >> um so trying to convey that is uh is hard sometimes because I know like they won't fully understand the feeling. But I think it's important to to emphasize that like you said, you know, if people confuse like the results versus like the branding or the social media stuff, it reminds me of the Anacornova phenomenon that we were talking about of like, you know, neglecting um actual substance and results and just focusing on >> I I have to tell people I'm like all these opportunities came from the tennis, you know, and it's like okay, I had some great results. Vogue asked me to be in their magazine. Like I are you saying I should say no? Like these are unbelievable. >> You could have still potentially gotten that without tennis. I mean, who knows the path? >> Maybe, of course. But in my life, it came to me through tennis. And I'm so grateful for these like other doors, let's say, that tennis opened. >> And you know, I would get sometimes, you know, negative comments or hate for doing things outside of tennis. And I would be like, well, >> I think if you got asked to be in Vogue, like you would probably say yes, right? >> And so I just felt unfair that like because of hard work, like you say, I got to do other opportunities. Okay. They weren't in the tennis world. they were in different lanes, but why should I not try and make the most of these other opportunities? >> Yeah, I had a question that I was going to ask that was actually more related to your pickle ball kind of entrance into the sport, but I think it's more about tennis. Has it been hard being Jeanie Buchard? I mean I I have to start that with saying of of course no I feel so grateful and blessed for my life and you know there are people who do a lot of really truly hard things on this planet uh that I you know have come nowhere near to uh but in my personal experience of my journey like of course there were times in my career when I lose six matches in a row and then I'm getting questions from the reporters who are like well do you think you're like distracted by doing other things or you've changed coaches is like three times in four years. Like is that an issue? And so >> that's hard to deal with. You know, having a lot of eyes on you when you're a teenager. It's hard to deal with. Um you know, kind of growing up a bit in the public eye in teenage years, early 20s, >> for sure. And that's that's not a normal phenomenon, >> right? Right. So it definitely probably like shapes your brain in a different way. Like my brain is probably messed up from this as opposed to a normal healthy person who went to college like Rosco over here. So, um it's definitely >> it's a unique life experience and in the moment again sometimes it's so hard to even process and understand what's happening and only with age and hindsight I'm like okay like >> yeah that was really rough or that felt rough and it wasn't so rough or >> okay that was actually I didn't give myself enough credit for I don't know achieving a certain result or handling that exactly so um it's like perspective and I sound like some like old boring person but it perspective it's cliche but it's so like It's a question that people would want to know though because it's something that only you can explain. Only a few people can explain. Um, and like you said, only a few people can explain what it's like walking on center court of Wimbledon. >> And what was I got to ask, what was that like? >> Yeah, that's that was my next question. >> Sorry. >> I I I was lucky enough to walk out there a few times. Uh, play I've played multiple matches on center court and the first time was actually in 20 >> and it's sold out. It is. >> It always is. Back to the Morin is is like one of the most I think I I I was saying it rhetorically but like it is like electric. >> Oh yeah. >> And it is just >> but electric in a different way. So it's not like the US Open. They're more um >> the Wimbledon crowd is a little more proper, a little more reserved. Yeah. >> Suit and tie. >> When when the points >> when the points on, you don't like hear a fan at all. Whereas you played Arthur Ash and it's like you hear conversations happening as you're playing and you hear drinks being spilled and glasses being broken and it's >> Did you actually notice stuff like that? Oh yeah, >> cuz I think there's some athletes who are able to tune that out. Are you Are you ADD? >> No, I'm not. But >> I'm very ADD. That's I would hear everything. >> But um I I it it turns into a background noise in my head. But my point is the the crowd behavior is just so different. At at on the tennis is almost like a sideshow and people are there just to >> have fun. It's the New York thing to do. It's you're drinking, you're socializing, it's become a PR event, you know, for the for the crowd. Yeah. Whereas Wimbledon, they take their tennis very seriously, which is, you know, I love I love both. They're different, but Wimbledon, you could hear a pin drop when when the point's being on being played. >> So, Wimbledon final, what's your mindset going out there? The whole world's watching you. There's obviously a lot of press. You probably feel like you're on top of the world, but you're also about to go play a match that's going to redefine your entire career. you're already in a spot where you've made the finals, so it's like, you know, I've accomplished a lot already, but this next match is a game changer, you know, Grand Slam champion, obviously. Um, yeah. What's your mindset like there? >> Well, I obviously didn't didn't handle it well because I got killed. So, whatever I say, no one try to follow my advice. >> And who was this against? >> Petra Kavdiva. I lost 3 and 0. Um, and I have not been able to rewatch that match since. And this was 11 years ago. >> Really? >> It Yeah, it just hurt. I mean, I could strap myself to a chair and like force myself to watch, but >> you don't think it would be like a healing process, >> you know? Maybe, maybe I should. Maybe I have to like go through it, feel the pain one more time. >> But I think that's cool to know like it's no one can say they've been in the finals of Wimbledon and you're like thinking about it like I can't even watch that match like because it's so intense. >> Yeah. >> What is absolutely wild is I'm a huge Atlanta Falcons fan and I was at the Super Bowl when they lost to the Patriots. They were up 20 to3. >> Oh yes, I know a lot about that. And I had to wait years to watch that back and I'm just a fan. >> Wow. Okay, that's crazy. >> But like it ruined my ear. Legitimately ruined my ear. >> That's more of like having problems. >> That sounds unhealthy. Okay, maybe we can unpack that after. >> I have tons of issues. But the fact that like I can't even imagine get like but you got there. Like that's so sick. And I understand that like it wasn't the result. >> Yeah, of course. You always want more. You always want to win as an athlete, as a competitor. you get on the court and you you just can't help yourself. Um I would say you know the prep was it it felt more important than any other match I had played. It really did. Um in the slams you play every other day. So you always have a day off and usually you do press let's say after your match and then the next day you have a day off. So you practice do whatever and you don't have to do press but if you're in the finals you do press on that day off before the finals. And doing it like again felt redundant and just like I think increased the stress in my mind. >> Bad juu almost. >> Yeah. It was almost like >> you have to do it >> and you have to of course or else you get fined. I guess you could not do it and get fined. Um but no one did that back in the day. Now it's a little more acceptable I guess since now we broke barriers and we can do that now. But >> um it just felt like oh my god I'm being asked about this again. And it just you know you try to stay focused. You try to stay in your bubble and and being asked questions by the press pulls you out of that. And so to have to do that again the day before really made me just like think about it more. And so I think I was a little in my head uh looking back like during that finals. Also, I remember before the match, um I remember being in the locker room and my my hands started sweating and I like never sweat in my hands and I hadn't all week or all two weeks during the Wimbledon uh event. And I was like, "Wow, this is like a real physical sign that like my brain and body like realizes this is like an import like a different moment, like an extra important moment." And I was like, >> "Oh god, I'm screwed." >> You felt like you you went into it thinking you were going to lose. Oh, I mean that part's a joke, but I I just noticed that like my body was literally reacting differently and just >> What was she What was she ranked? >> Oh, probably top 10. I mean, I was >> had she won Grand Slams before that? >> She had won Wimbledon three years prior in the final. >> Yeah, >> she was a big hitting lefty and like she has unbelievable shots. So, when she's on, she's on and especially on grass. That was like her specialty. So, >> um, in a way, and I joke about this that I'm almost glad I I got killed because if I had like been close to winning and lost, that it would have been so much more painful. >> But of course, ultimately, you do want to be close and lose cuz then it means you were that close and that's better. >> But it's this it's this thing. Would you rather get killed in a match or would you rather come close, have match points, or I don't know, be in a third set and lose? Like what's >> it's a weird It's a weird thing to think about. I thought about that too. >> I think about it too about the Falcons. you know, I just weigh it and I just don't know the answer. >> Yeah. >> Some some days it's one, some days it's the other. There's no like ideal way to lose. But, um, yeah, it was a it was a tough loss for sure, but it also, you know, gave me so much and and changed my life really. >> Let's take a big step forward here. Um, our show is called Pickle Ballers and you are now a pickle ball player. I think this kind of shocked the world. It was at s and you know I was in pickle ball just a little bit before this but what you'd call the tours when you got signed was when everyone was >> before pickle ball like I kind of want to know what it was like to walk away from tennis. >> Well she hadn't walked away from tennis until after pickle. >> Oh yeah you were still playing. That's right athlete. I think this is pivotal because >> you announced that you're going to become a professional pickle ball player to the world >> and I think the tennis world was kind of like like uh luckily a few other tennis players got signed at this time. It was kind of like what kind of what's going on? >> A similar time, right? >> Yeah. Same same time. It was kind of like what's going on? >> But Jack had played a bunch. >> He had already played some because he had already retired. Uh, and so I know I remember hearing he had played a tournament and like liked it or did well or something. >> Well, first, how' this process come about? >> So, yeah, this was 2023, um, around US Open time and I just remember um, you know, my agents coming to me and being like, they also represent Jack and they were like, "Hey, like you know, Jack's played some pickle ball tournaments in the past. uh the professional tour, the PPA are, you know, really looking to bring some tennis players over and, you know, this would be a very, you know, great opportunity for you and and obviously very different and and change your life. Um, and so yeah, I sat on it and thought about it and, you know, there were a lot of compelling things that really made me consider the idea and ultimately accept. Um, and so that's how we ended up where where we are. And so some of those things were um so what what this was what two years ago so I was like 29 you know I had been playing pro tennis for full-time for a long time as we talked about you start so young and I definitely felt uh the appeal of only traveling in the US the travel uh with tennis is just so tough trying something new I've been playing tennis for at this point 25 years so uh you know I have that feeling of like I miss learning um and that's a reason I'm like tell people are I may be serious I may be joking but I kind of like want to go to school because I'm like I just miss the feeling of learning I didn't even go to college learning a new skill like having that challenge um joining something that is exploding and growing like crazy >> it's like the most explosive moment for sure >> and you know jumping on this train of something that like grew fastest than like any sport or whatever the the stats are about pickle ball and um having a chance to be a part of that >> uh was also very enticing Um, and so yeah, it just kind of weighed the pros and cons in my head and it also didn't mean that I was immediately saying yes to tennis as well. And so, >> but I'm sure that's what the world like kind of thought when >> for sure >> you told them, right? They're like, "All right, Genie just gave up her tennis career." Like, >> right. No. So, you know, I had a certain number of tournaments to play, uh, you know, with my, you know, signing with the PPA. But, um, so I knew I could carve out some tennis events and and still do certain things that I wanted to do. I also, you know, do do the TV broadcasting stuff and have my brand deals which does require, you know, some time and travel and commitment. So, I wanted to keep doing all these things I enjoy. And yeah, I just kind of was like, why not? Let's just go for it. >> Had you played any pickle ball? >> I had played with friends. Uh, starting in COVID a little bit to me, that's when as like a lay person with pickle ball is when it really exploded. I think >> that's when I discovered it. Yeah. >> Yeah. I I feel like a lot of people discovered it then. So, uh, yeah, I would play with friends. Um, or like other tennis players who also like enjoyed playing a different type of raet sport. Also had the whole Padell thing explosion as well. Um, >> do you like Padel? >> I've only played a few times just because I've been balancing two raet sports the last couple years. And I was like, I can't add a third. My brain will literally explode. Um, but I do enjoy that, of course, too. I think, >> you know, as soon as you're used to playing with like a racket or a racket sport, they're all kind of fun, right? So, Uh, so yeah, that was kind of that was some of my thoughts. >> And are you happy with that decision? >> I am. Yes, I do have to say I've I've really appreciated the kind of different lifestyle it's afforded me in terms of just um I don't know, being able to to feel a little more normal. You know, it's not as the travel is not as extreme. Um it's not as physically like injury or painful the way tennis is. Um, and so I really >> not as many eyeballs on it like compared to tennis. >> Yeah. I mean that's not a part like it's not like I was trying to escape eyeballs, let's say. That's not like >> I thought to be normal to be able to like >> Right. I mean normal just in the sense of like it just feels slightly less like extreme than tennis does. >> You're traveling in the US. You're not having to spend two weeks at tournaments. Um, you're playing less tournaments. I I I get what you mean. Like it's >> I don't have to go to Australia for two months. I don't have to go to Asia for two months. I have to go to Europe for three months. And again, super grateful I got to do all that, but I did do it, you know, on repeat for like 15 years. And um it's just tough. It's just tough on your >> body, on your mental health, on your uh family relationships, friends, personal relationships. Like it's >> tennis really requires like an 11month sacrifice of like every minute of your day. >> There's And there's no offseason either, which is >> there's almost no offseason, although pickle ball kind of doesn't have an offseason either. >> Yeah. They're trying to work one and I think that's why it's fun and new is because like >> for instance I'm on this PPA player committee like >> we want to work in an offseason. We want to like make this something where the players like like there's changes that can be made where I feel like when you tennis is such an established sport it's like can't really change much, you know. >> Right. Right. >> No, I agree. And I think a little offseason would be nice like maybe not having a tournament in December um or whatever figuring out when there could be some space. Um but yeah, so I'd say quality of life has improved a lot which has helped like my mental health and like happiness and just you know craving these things I never got during tennis like a little more stability or a little more the one big thing that I always thought was so tough with tennis is you could never plan ahead because you you know sign up to play tournaments you don't know how you're going to do in that tournament you could lose Monday first round you could make it to the finals seven days later and then based on that result potentially affects if you play the next event you know if you win Maybe you're pulling out of the next tournament if you lose first round. Maybe you're adding a tournament on to your trip. And so you can never like plan anything in your normal life. And like vacations are hard. Like making events, birthday parties, the amount of family Christmases I've missed. Like all of it is just and I know like I feel like I'm first world problem complaining right now. >> Suffering is relative. I mean, it's, you know, >> so of course, you know, people go through much much harder things, but you know, being a kid and missing Christmas like three times in a row with your family, >> it's a big deal. like it's sad, you know, it hurts a little bit. So, um yeah, just being able to, you know, tournaments are more kind of controlled. I would say like, okay, I know I'm going for, >> you know, three days to a week if it's, you know, a progressive tournament or 3 days to 5 days if it's a other type of tournament, like I'm going to Atlanta for a few days, I'm going to LA for a few days. It's a little more, okay, I know the weeks I don't have tournaments and I for sure won't because there is no tournament or I'm not going to just like add one on the way I would with tennis. um has really been really just like nice for my brain. >> I would say there's a few moments in my pickle ball journey where the sport was really validated. One was the New York Stock Exchange when MLP went there and Steve rang the bell. I'd say another one is when you signed. I think it was a really big moment and I was it like just even doing you know I was working on a music company and then started doing the pickleball thing and I was many times I was like what am I doing and that was one of those moments I'm like wow the sport has actually made it. Yeah. >> Um and I also think that because of Sam and Sam coming out and saying he's going to be top 10 in 6 months or whatever it was and then >> not really being great. >> Not at all. >> Yeah. Um, I think that like you actually took some of the the brunt of that um when you came in and and I don't know if I'm jumping ahead too much, but I would say that I think >> I'm curious what that was like for you to go out in the first time and play a professional tournament. >> Yeah. And people people just wanted to hate on you. >> I don't know if you know we have a Facebook community that is like that's our northstar. That's how we started. >> Okay. >> And like anytime anything happens, there's multiple posts. Okay. >> And so when you came in, there was a lot of posts about it. So I'm just curious what that was like starting. Did you care what people thought or like if you weren't performing as well at first or you just like, "Dude, I made it in tennis. Like I don't really care that much." >> I think in my opinion on a human psychology, everyone cares what people thinks about them. Like people who say that they don't, I think, are just pretending. Okay, there are degrees. You could care more, you could care less. But I think it's like natural to, you know, want to be liked and and want people to to like you and and think nice things about you. Um, I mean, of course, I cared. I I, you know, agreed to do this. I'm a professional. I'm a hard worker. I, you know, for my own pride and and image, like I I want to win. I want to do well. There's >> I'm I'm a bit of an all or nothing person. I can't just like do something and then like not really do it. You know, if I'm doing it, I'm doing it or else I'd rather just not do it at all. Um, and so that one of the things that I loved about this opportunity was challenging myself. And you know, with tennis, you get challenged so much. And this combination of like learning something new, putting myself in this like new arena, this uncomfortable situation where yes, sure, okay, I was accomplished at tennis, but not at all in pickleball. And I'm competing against players who have played pickle ball for 5 years, 10 years, maybe more. I didn't even know the sport existed that long ago, you know. >> And you probably didn't know almost any of the players. >> For sure. Sure. I didn't I only knew the tendencies. >> I only knew the tennis player once like and that was it. >> And were you drilling when you got in? Like you were practicing a lot leading up to your first tournament. >> So yeah, I signed about in the fall of 2023 and the season was you know to start the 2024 season. So I um Dylan actually who works at the PPA came to Miami to to train with me for a week. That was my first real introduction. Yeah. >> I remember I remember him being like, you know, I'm training Genie. Like people were asking him how good he was. Well, I think Dave Fleming, too, was a big part of >> I would come to Dallas, actually, to train with Dave as well. >> Dave's like a 5'5. What is What is Dylan? Dylan was a pro a pro player. Oh, he was? >> Yeah. Former pro player. Um, had good wins. >> Um, very talented. But I do remember hearing about this like everyone was like, "How good is she, Dave? How good is she, Dylan?" Like, come on. Like, let us know, right? Because if people want to know like how that translates and I remember you came out to the Masters. >> Yeah. My first tournament. And you were so cool, calm, and collected like on the court. And I think a lot of eyeballs were on you like wanting you, you know, cuz pickle ball players wanted to be able to I didn't get that. That's not what I got from watching her at the Masters. I was there. >> You thought I was flustered and all over the place? >> No, I I felt bad. I felt like >> for there's two parts. One, a lot of people were saying, "Oh, it's a money grab. She doesn't care. She's not even training. She's just going out there and she's ne she doesn't care." But I felt like I was like she I think she cares and and like >> she's still losing catastrophe. >> Well, it's your f I mean it's like >> but no one expected you to go out and win the tournament. But like >> I don't know. I I was like >> I don't know. I I I didn't sense that like you were I I felt like you really cared. Um but I didn't I didn't know you. I had never talked to you so I had no idea if you were actually training. So it's interesting to hear this. >> Right. So yeah, I I did a couple of like training blocks I would say from the fall to that first thing. But you know before that I obviously hadn't played like in a training capacity. It was more fun with friends, right? So um you know from signing to playing my first tournament was only a couple months and I still had tennis tournaments in there as well. So it's like I can't like train pickle ball and then the next day go play tennis tournament. It's you got to readjust and like take a couple weeks every time you transition, right? So um so yeah, so I I I totally care cared and care uh and I people did expect me to do well. I remember hearing things and seeing things like, "Oh, she she's a good tennis player. Like she'll kill all these pickleball players, especially tennis purists who think tennis is so much better or think pickle ball is like not even a sport." They're like, "Okay, she's going to come in and kill everybody." And it's like that's disrespectful to my opponents. like they've been, you know, honing their skills and practicing the specific craft for so many years. Who am I to come in and like have never dked more than just in a game with friends, you know, besides the training I did and then just suddenly think I can like that would that's just insulting. And >> who was your first game against? Do you remember? >> I actually don't even remember like singles. >> I don't even remember who it was today. I remember thinking this girl might feel nervous because like everyone's like, "All right, like well there's there's >> I do think that happened a lot at the beginning." >> Yeah. Well, there's this notion of like, oh, any tennis player comes in, they're going to, you know, be amazing. And then pickle ball players want to be like, no, this is like an art. Like, it's not like a tennis player can just pick up a paddle and be amazing. And so, I think, you know, you were kind of like, well, Jack was like the original like guinea pig. But he imagine going out and like playing a Jack or a genie like huge tennis names. >> It's like, oh my god, Starruck. I play that tournament. >> I played Philip Phillips. You know who he is? The American Idol. >> Yeah. Yeah, I had to play him in a tournament. He destroyed me. He's good. >> I was a big American Idol fan. My mom used to watch it and and then I had to play him and he >> That's hilarious. That's actually so funny. Yeah. No, you um I was like hoping that that would come in to my advantage of like, okay, hopefully they're nervous and like it would be the worst thing in the world if they lose to me. Uh and I think that did happen probably midway through the year last year when after I was able to string a couple matches together. Then it's like, okay, like you don't want to be the one to lose to Junior or you don't want to be the first one to lose to me. I think was a big deal as well because I went 0 and9 in my first >> for real >> three tournaments. I lost first round all three events. First three tournaments. Yeah. My first win was April in North Carolina. >> Do you remember who >> you were with Eric Roddy? >> Yeah, >> I do remember this. Yeah. >> A mixed doubles match with Eric Roddy and then I actually my first round in singles was a walkover which I was like, "Yes, this is my first win." And then I beat Lauren Strapman and then uh lost to >> I think Prento. >> It's a good win though. Lauren Strapman. It's your first singles win. >> Yeah. So, but again, maybe, you know, I had that advantage. Maybe she was like nervous and didn't want to be that first one to to lose against me, which, you know, I totally understand. Like, I was I like had the potential to be good, but I was losing every match. So, >> did you see the potential in yourself? >> I think so. I mean, look, it's it's a it's a sport with a racket and a ball. Like, I feel like I'm pretty good at that. Of course, it's a shorter paddle. It's like a plastic ball. It's a shorter, you know, there's a lot of different things to it. There's a lot of different technique and skill. >> Yeah. >> But at the same time, athleticism is there. hand eye coordination is there. I'd like to think so. >> So, you didn't feel like a fish out of water completely >> at the beginning for sure. But like I knew I trusted myself enough. Okay. Like if I practice and I go play tournaments like there's no other option to not like improving. >> How was the doubles transition? >> That's that's hard. >> I remember. Yeah, >> that's still horrible to hard and horrible to this day. >> Was MLP in the beginning tough? >> Oh, brutal. Yeah, >> I played my first ever MLP at the end of last season. Like I wasn't drafted. I just did like a one-off. Um I played for Utah >> and that was really tough because you're playing really good teams every single match. Whereas at least in the tournaments, okay, like >> qualies and >> you can get some like round of 64s in and like you're not playing a literal top eight team right off the bat >> MLP you're playing an amazing team every single match. And so I didn't win a match at MLP last year. And was that were you like Yeah, >> I feel bad. I feel like I was letting my team down. >> I remember watching you and Alex Trung win one match I think in one Vegas. >> Okay, so that's the Okay. Gosh, see I think worse about myself >> with Utah. >> With Utah. I do remember this because I was playing there too. Um >> I think you guys >> love how I know this. I think you guys beat Caitlyn Christian >> and someone else. The Hogs was it? Cuz Dave Fleming was >> the coach that. >> Yes. On that second court, the grand stand. >> Wouldn't that be Wouldn't that have been Jesse? >> It was Caitlyn Christian and maybe Jesse. Maybe someone else. What's up, pickle ballers? I've got the Franklin C45 pickle ball paddle here. Sing's played by JW Johnson, Hayden Patrick, Paris Todd. It's one of the most versatile pickle ball paddles in the market. Tons of power, tons of pop, tons of spin. You got to get this paddle. Check it out. franklinports.com today. How did you connect with Proton? >> Um, I don't even know initially. I think they just like kind of reached out. I'm pretty sure >> you were with Versix, right? >> Yeah, Versix. Yeah. So, I had my own paddle with Versix, which uh, you know, was >> like a Pickleball Central brand. >> Yeah, exactly. Like from what I understand, like more of a like a house brand of Pickleball Central. Um, and I didn't know paddles before I signed and so that was kind of just an add-on really to me signing with a BPA. And uh yeah, I just, you know, got approached by Proton, tried some of the paddles, really enjoyed them. Uh so just made the switch. >> Has it been awesome being with those guys? It's been great. Like, I mean, you're clearly around them a lot now being on the MLP team, using their paddles. It seems like they're part of like your pickle ball family a little bit now. >> Totally. And we all did this like promotional trip to uh Vietnam earlier this year. Uh >> had you you'd been to Vietnam, I'm assuming? >> I had never been to Vietnam. >> Vietnam was awesome. which is rare to think as a tennis player who travels so much. Yeah, >> I've been to a lot of countries. So, uh it was so exciting to go to a new country, of course. Um and it was great and it was great team bonding. Such good vibes. And I love like >> not feeling the pressure, you know, with with our >> sometimes with a team owner, you can feel so much pressure. >> I experienced that with like world team tennis, which is like tennis's version of team event >> and it just sucks. That's why I love an individual sport because you just play for yourself, right? You win, you lose. It's on you. The feeling of like having to win for someone else is like, uh, you can't breathe. I can't breathe. >> Especially when you need to like make like a third shot drop. And it's not like you can like hit a serve, you know? We had >> more fun with Charles. We don't we don't like feel that pressure. He's like, I want you to have fun and just show your personalities and we're like, say no more. >> That's great. Yeah. We had Tyron and and she was talking about the pressures of MLP and just the way the players and other owners treat other teams and is bad. Oh yeah, it's pretty gnarly. >> It's just intense. Like it's it's a very like >> you know like you said you're playing for other people. Other people really want you to win and so that pressure falls on you. I think it's it's similar to if like you know you have like a a tiger parent who really wants you to to do well and they feel like they're as invested as you. >> Um >> it's just an extra burden I feel like playing for someone else. It's like right there on your shoulder. >> So talking about kind of modern day pickle ball, you just had two finals this year. Um, you've been playing amazing singles and people are starting to take notice of like Jeanie's a legit pickle ball player now. Like she's beating top players in the world. Um, that match in Vegas where you had a ton of match points in the second set and then you >> I only had one. I only had one. >> Sorry. You had a big lead in the second set. >> I was up like 102. >> 102. >> Only one match point which is bad because I never even got my serve back. >> But it's so like most people crumble in that third set. when you won that third set, I was I was very very impressed. >> Kate, correct? >> Yeah, Kate Vehey. Um, >> how does that feel? Like, do you are you starting to be like, "Hey, like this is something I want to be number one in the world at. This is something I'm actually like excited to train for and and get better at each week." Or are you still just kind of using not using it, but having just a ton of fun with it? And um like do you really do you see this as like that second career for you? That second tennis for you? >> Well, it definitely has felt that like way. Okay. Second kind of chapter a little bit. Um during the end of tennis and now really post tennis. Um I would say well at the beginning you said have a you're having fun with it. At the beginning I was not having fun because I was losing so much. So that was definitely brutal and it was like okay my motivation was to like stop losing right. Um, but yeah, look, I think uh, you know, you're competitive no matter what. You get on that court and you just want to win so badly. So, I'll never be able to not feel like that. It is much more, I'd say, like fulfilling and satisfying having like, you know, done training, played tournaments, and seeing real results from that. It's definitely like like I'm proud of that and it makes me feel, you know, accomplished. Um, so yeah, I don't see why I would stop. I I want to keep going. I do have to say though when you say number one in the world I think there is quite a big difference between our number one and the rest of the field it's like you know how there's the big three in tennis. >> Yeah. >> Or you say she's the big three. >> Oh you think yeah she's the big three all in one person because you know you think of the top 10 okay >> they're all good and it's like yes they're all good and like we're all in a pack but then there's just like one above and I >> just being number two. >> So like maybe my goal is to be number two. >> Yeah. I mean >> let's set expectations realistically. I mean, I played uh Annalie in the finals in Vegas and um that's just a whole other animal. >> She's just she's just so good. >> There's there's just a real difference between her and 234. >> Someone asked in the kitchen when I posted today, uh we're going to be interviewing Jeanie, do you have any questions? Someone said, "How is it for you playing someone like Kate or another player who is very vocal >> and you're you're pretty chill? I mean, you seem like very comp composed. Is that hard when someone's screaming and someone's like you were up, weren't you up like 10-1? >> I think it was 10-2, but yeah, same thing. >> 10-2, but like it the points just started kind of piling on. She's getting fired. I saw her serving bigger. She's like, "What do I have to lose? Like, I'm getting my butt whooped. I'm just going to serve big." Was that is that is that hard for you when someone's like screaming? >> That's a very good question. Uh, well, my first comment is I'm I'm used to that from tennis. So, we definitely have some screamers in tennis as well. from the juniors to the pros, you name it, there are some loud players. And so I think I'm uh I'm used to blocking it out. Um and sometimes when an opponent's more competitive or more fiery, it actually makes you a little more competitive. And uh for me, sometimes I'm like, "Okay, like I want to win even more now." So, uh as much as that is maybe, you know, an intimidation tactic, it's doesn't work on me, guys. Okay. It's like a reverse, you know? I'm like, "Okay, like now I want to win even more." >> Have you Have you been a Have you been a screamer >> myself? No. Um, I'm usually that more try to be more calm collected. I feel like I perform my best when my emotions are more in control. And I know people are different. Some people like need that high and they have a corresponding low potentially, but it it still works for them. >> I'm definitely more I got to say a bit even keeled, but skewing, you know, a little a little energy, a little positive. >> In tennis, you know, you can look back and you'll definitely see moments where I'm really show a lot of emotion. Um, but the norm is less so. Uh, just cuz I think that works best for me. But I I it does take a concerted effort to kind of block out the noise. And um so that's what I try to do. I think it's just mental training. Just mentally block it out. You if anything, use it as a little bit of motivation, but besides that, like it's not my concern what happens on the other side of the net. >> Tough tough question. What is more fun, tennis or pickle ball? >> Well, I would just say tennis because I I'm better at it. Yeah. >> It's more fun to do something you're good at and I've done it for 25 years and feel so comfortable on a court. I walk on a pickle ball court sometimes. >> That's a PC answer. I feel like >> Yeah, I guess I feel like if you said pickle ball, the tennis people would be like, "Oh my god, what a traitor." >> I mean, >> Genie, >> but I'm actually I'm being more honest. I'm being honest now. I have to say that. Um I thought you'd be mad that I'm didn't say pickle ball. >> No, I I I got kicked out of tennis when I was 10 for airmailing balls over the fence. So, I don't know how fun tennis is. It doesn't look that fun. It looks beautiful. >> The learning curve is just longer. You really have to spend a lot of time. >> Yeah, the overhead. >> It's more satisfying. tennis satisfying like if you if you play tennis well it's more like >> I love being able to hit like the ball as hard as I want pickle ball you're always kind of like holding yourself back you know and I think it it's actually tougher in stressful situations cuz in tennis if I'm nervous I'll like hit through the ball and get my nerves out in pickle ball you still have to do a third shot drop you still have to like hit 80% even on a forehand like I'm not full swinging the way I would swing in tennis and so >> the flow is better in tennis >> yeah you in tennis you could step back you could grind for a couple points, get some shots, you know, get some consistency into your system. Pickle ball, you're still trying to hit it and like get to the net and and you don't have that opportunity as much. I >> think it's scrappier, too. But I do think for the average person, it's like picking up pickle ball is is >> easier and maybe more satisfying. >> The learning curve is so much faster. I mean, you've never played, we can go out and have a rally right now and you'll find it fun and I'll find it fun and you could be more different levels and it still be enjoyable. Whereas tennis, if you're a little bit off, both people are miserable. It's not fun. >> So, let's take a uh let's take someone like Coco Goff. How long does it take Coco Goff to become a top five pickle ball singles player and a top five pickle ball doubles player? She starts today. >> She's so athletic. I mean, she would kill the the singles game pretty quickly. I think all tennis players, you know, naturally feel pretty good on the singles court, but she does really well in doubles as well. And it's something like Jacks had, you know, he was really good in doubles. And so I think that helps the doubles in pickle ball and I was less of a doubles player. Um and which shows in my struggles in doubles in pickle ball. Um so I don't know top five. >> Top five or singles. How what's the timeline on that? >> Like eight months. >> It's pretty good. I I give it eight months too if she was training at it like full-time for sure. >> Playing all the tournaments. >> Yeah. Doubles now. >> I mean I think that's harder. I don't know if she would get to top five. You said top five. >> Yeah. Top five. >> These girls are so good. Yeah, >> it's like so hard. >> I I like that answer. I think it shows the the difficulty of of doubles pickle ball especially. >> Yeah. And and just practicing a skill. There's also there's no magic pill. You can't like jump forward a year of training, right? You have to go through that year of training and so uh they have the advantage of time first of all and um it's just hard to compete against that. >> There's a pretty significant significant drop off in women's doubles after the six. I feel like I feel like getting top 10 would be significantly easier. >> I mean, I can't even get there, but yeah. So, there's a significant drop off when you get to like 30 or whatever. >> No, you'll get there. I I I believe it. >> Do you guys think Jack I feel like there's like a newfound motivation in Jack that I've seen lately? Do you think he can break through and become >> top five? I think he's talented enough for sure. I think it's just a matter of who his competition is, how hard everyone else is working, how hard he's working. But in terms of talent, like the guy's, you know, obviously, >> yes, >> one of the most talented players in the world, not just at pickle ball, but I think at racket sports in general, um he's so strong yet so fast, yet so um comfortable with his touchy feely shots. >> Super crafty. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. He has good feel in his hands. You can see that in tennis. You can see that in pickle ball. I think it just depends, yeah. How much he wants it and trains. And if he's >> really dedicated to achieving that goal, I don't see why he couldn't. >> Where does pickle ball end for you in terms of like how long do you think you'll keep playing? And uh if you look at your life kind of what what does the future look like for you? >> I mean, gosh, I don't know. That's a good question. I definitely, you know, won't be having my main job on a sports court forever. Like that does have to end at some point. Um, is that in a couple of years when my current contract is up? Is that am I signing another one? I can't say that right now. I have no idea. Um, you know, maybe if I'm getting close to knocking on that number two door, it's like >> you keep going >> enticing to like really try make a good run at that. >> Um, but I'm enjoying it a lot right now for sure. And I think um it's a it's a cool community. I find it like friendlier than tennis. Yeah. And I've I've made some friends on the tour now. And I I didn't do that as much in tennis. And I think people it's just a different dynamic. You know, in tennis, everyone has their coach and their own little mini kind of group around them. And so, everyone just stays in their own little pod and doesn't really interact too much. And pickle ball, people don't often have a coach with them. And so, you have to warm up with someone else. You have to interact. You're always playing doubles. You're always playing mixed doubles. So, you have two automatic friends every week of where you can practice with and warm up with. And you know, I didn't even play doubles that much in in tennis, so I I never had that. >> And uh so it's just been really enjoyable, the social aspect, which I know is actually a big reason why amateur players play it, >> but I'm feeling that even on the professional level, which is so refreshing compared to the the the cutthroat grind of the tennis tour. >> Who are a few of your favorite people on tour? >> Um well, Ryan Sherry, >> the gray bear. >> He said that you >> What did he say? Did he say to ask a question? He would >> his question I I was going to say it wasn't even a question it was a comment but the way he phrased it could be completely misconstrued but he basically said >> with everything he said >> he let me can you ask her can you make sure that she doesn't let me oversleep for my next match and I was it was a I was like anyways >> didn't that yeah that happened to him here last year it was Dallas >> but I don't know I don't know why you're responsible maybe you're supposed to like give him a wakeup call yeah last year's right last year at Dallas he slept through his alarm and miss >> so surprising share bear like >> which is crazy also that he did out of world like the biggest tournament of the year. >> I did talk to Sherry before and I was like is she cool? Like what should I ask her? And he was like she's she's awesome. Like she's the best you know. >> Well Sher Sherry's been a great friend to you. I think especially like wait Sherry's the one that told me about the US Open thing. >> Oh, he's wrong. >> But he well he just forgets that it happened. You know sometimes he when he doesn't sleep for three days in a row he loses a few brain cells. So >> how has it been having someone like him in your corner? Like has he kind of like guided you into this pickle ball world? I remember when I first met you um maybe it was like last year at this tournament. We were practicing indoors and Sherry >> at uh Tom's. >> Yes. At Dundan's house. And >> Sherry was like >> introducing you to a lot of people and and kind of >> he was like your like liaison almost, right? >> He was Paris's liaison too when she came in the sport. >> Yeah. He's he's just I think he's so >> generous and he's so like hey you guys meet and you guys meet and you know what do you need help with anything? like he's just he's a ball of energy. Has that been amazing having him in your corner? >> It's it's been great. I really uh appreciate my friendship with >> She didn't say amazing though. It's been great. >> No, it's I mean Okay. >> There's some issues with it, too. >> Yeah. And we can get to this. >> Good. >> It's been like all right. >> Um No, he's been so friendly and kind and and helping me first of all with pickle ball straight up like helping me warm up, trying to give me advice, um >> you know, helping me on the court. I mean, he he was >> he's had some good moments. >> He's a coach. He's kidding. You're the best. You're amazing. I love you. >> Yeah. But some It's funny actually. Sometimes he would try like well not try but coach me, you know, during some matches. And he just talks a million miles an hour. And I'm like, >> say two things like I can't process anymore. We have 1 minute during this timeout. Like I barely know what I'm doing on the court as it is. Just give me two simple things to focus on. Okay. Like like tell me to hit her for back. Tell me one of those. That's it. and he's like, "Okay." And he's going on and on like a crazy person, but it's so endearing. It's also why you love him, right? His energy is infectuous. You know, you just want to he's so positive and happy all the time. And yeah, he's connected me to to friends in the pickle ball world. He's always there to, you know, grab dinner with and have a good time. And obviously whenever everyone's out in the tournament, he wants to have like an extra good time. And so, um, it's really been fun to to have someone it's it's made the process more enjoyable of like going to a tournament being, okay, I know I have a friend I can hang out with and I don't feel so alone. >> For sure. For sure. >> And he'll he'll break that ice immediately, too. >> Exactly. And he's so he's just so like Yeah. It's like disarming. He's so he just you become friends with him immediately, you know, and he I know he does that to everyone, not just me, of course. And but last year Yeah. I think he like had ice cream really late and then overslept his alarm and some for some reason like expected me to call his room and like wake him up and I was like okay. And so now at tournaments he'll text me his room number and be like >> okay if if I don't text you by this time call like the hotel, you know, cuz his phone won't ring. So you have to call like the hotel room. >> But I haven't had to do that since he's been >> I don't know how that became your job but I find that very kind that you do that. >> But you know for everything he's given me it's the least I can do in return. >> A little wakeup call. >> Exactly. Is there anything else you want the pickleball audience to know about Jeannie Buchard or just human beings in general? >> That was deep. >> Yeah. >> Um, I'm out here trying my best, you guys. I'm a human. >> Take it easy. Take it easy on her. >> Um, I appreciate, you know, those who have welcomed me into this world. Um, and you know, I hope to win over the rest of you who haven't yet. Uh, I think, you know, the sport's growing and it's just so exciting to be a part of it. And um I just love seeing people like love the things I spend a lot of time on. When I meet tennis fans who love tennis, I love it. When I meet pickleball people who just love it so much. I I just appreciate that because these are things I dedicate so much time to. And so being able to relate to other people like that is so fun. And you know, I think both sports can coexist. And this is what I say. I'm Switzerland. I'm neutral. Okay. You could have tennis players that go over to pickleball. You could have kids that start pickleball that go over to tennis. And why can't we both? >> They would never. it go on. >> I've I've heard it. I've heard it. Really? >> Yeah. I have my >> pickle ball to tennis. >> Would you play the more fun sport? Why would you go to like the dark side? It seems ridiculous. >> It's like leveling up, I guess, in terms of difficulty. >> Whoa, whoa, whoa. That's fair. >> Can you not play tennis? Is that why you're like a tennis hat? >> I obviously can't. And I can barely play pickball. So, here we go. >> There you go. So, um I say, hey, like it's better that humans are playing one or the other instead of >> staying inside at home on the couch playing video games, right? So, um I think they're both positive and you know the tennis traditionalists I'm like I understand but look there are courts near my house they were tennis they were empty all the time they turn them into pickle ball courts they are busy from morning till night >> so >> you have to see both sides like this is better for our community you know >> as a whole stop being so like siloed in tennis but like >> for the greater good. >> Yeah. >> So let's let's love both and all be friends. That's that's my wish. >> Well, I really appreciate you coming on. Um, it's really refreshing to meet kind of like the anti- Sam Query, someone who actually like came into the sport from tennis and is having success. >> Oh, thank you. >> And I I love Sam. I'm going to see him tomorrow. I'll tell him I said that. But, um, no, I I think you're you are uh I just think you're super cool and humble and uh you know, you apologize a lot, I think, for when you talk about like your suffering and the stuff you went through. I don't think you need to do that. I think that like you're you've been through a lot as a rising star and as a in influencer with the I word and uh yeah I'm just appreciative that you came on and shared your story. >> We don't use that word. We use like advertising like better influencer king influencers. >> I'm kidding. I'm kidding. And hey, by the way, that's a really hard job. Okay. Like it's don't look at me like that. He's like >> I That's what we It is. >> Yeah. Jared wants to be an influencer influencer. >> Oh my gosh. When you have to do things yourself, you're like >> producing it, you're finding a set, you're like, >> "You should see our ads." Wait till you see our ad reads. Our ad reads are crazy for Door Dash. Door Dash. Check out Door Dash. Definitely check out Door Dash. >> Right. But when you have to create it all yourself, I mean, that is so hard. I agree. >> So, I have so much respect for it and I definitely dabble a little bit in it because it comes with the territory of having brand deals and and, you know, doing public stuff, uh, being in the public eye. So, I have so much respect for the >> Are there any brands you want to shout out? I'm not here to sell anything, you guys. I'm just here as your friend. >> Just check out Jeanie's Instagram, Genie Bashar. >> Follow me. Yeah. You know, like, comment, subscribe, all that. But, um, >> yeah. No, I I think it's Yeah, it's just a modern day version of advertising. And, >> you know, if you want to have brand deals and do that type of stuff, you have to be on social media. You have to dip your toe into that arena. And I'm not a full-time, you're not going to see get readys with me every day, but every once in a while, I'll do a little dabble. If if there's any up and cominging uh pickleball players that are watching this, go check out Jeanie's Instagram. Seriously, the way I think that she grew her brand and with the authenticity is is a great example of how to do it right. >> Agreed. Agreed. >> Thank you. That's so such a nice compliment. >> Sometimes say nice stuff, >> Jeie. Uh congrats on all the reason success. It's been fun getting to know you and kind of seeing you uh in this world of pickle ball. Thanks so much for coming here. I know um you came straight from the airport, but this was a really fun conversation and uh Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah. No, exactly. But that's why I say it like look there's a lot of other harder things on this planet than coming straight to a podcast from the airport or all those things I went through like you mentioned. But um yeah uh you know I just try to remember to be grateful more than anything about it all. But so on that note, thank you so much for having me and welcoming me into the pickle ball world. >> Of course. >> I uh it's fun to feel a part of it and a part of the community. >> You are. When you hit number two, we'll have to have you on again. >> Okay. No pressure though. No pressure. Let's tone that down. >> Awesome. Thanks, Jimmy. Thank you.