Meet the Pros: Josh Grubbs

If you are looking for someone who might be in serious contention for a "Mr. Pickleball" Award, Josh Grubbs would probably be on the "Top Ten" list. He seriously loves this game. Josh and his brother Zack play pickleball in their garage of all places. Enjoy!

Can you list for us your major wins so we can correctly introduce you to our readers?

-Canadian Nationals Gold Medal Mixed Doubles
-Atlantic South Regional Gold Medal Men’s Open
-Bronze Medal Men’s Doubles Open Grand Canyon State Games
-Men’s 5.0 Pickleball Rocks Summer Shootout - Champion
-2014 SW Metro Pickleball Tournament - Gold, Mixed Doubles with Abby Grubbs

What paddle do you play with and why?

I use a 7.5 ounce Pro Lite Blaster. I am more of a touch player and try to keep as many balls in play as possible, so I really like the feel of a graphite paddle. It’s also a lightweight paddle that I can maneuver easily up at the net.

What's your pickleball story? How were you introduced to pickleball?

My brother and I were both college tennis players and when we got to college and started beating our dad at tennis he needed to find something else he could beat us at. Seven years ago a group of people from dad’s small town saw pickleball in the Villages, Florida and brought it back to Brookville where they showed my dad how to play. He instantly fell in love with the game and showed my brother Zack and I how to play.

What's your preference - playing indoor or outdoor?

I like to play outdoors more but a lot of times the Indiana weather does not cooperate. We play a lot in a local high school where I am the head tennis coach.

Do you like singles or doubles better? Why?

I very rarely play singles. I like being on a team and working together to figure out an opponent. Plus, I don’t like to run!

What's your favorite place to play? Why?

I have been lucky to play at a lot of great facilities all over the country, but my favorite place to play is in Brookville, Indiana where I grew up. There are 4 permanent outdoor courts behind the senior center and on the other side is a huge cornfield. It looks like something out of the movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it they will come!" Players come from all over to play on these courts.

What's your "secret sauce"? Any tips for players?

My tip for other players would be just to get out on the court and have fun! When you put too much pressure on yourself it takes the fun away from the game. I personally play better when I’m relaxed and enjoying the game. Hopefully, I can play this game for another 40-50 years and I want to have as much fun as possible!

What's your day job?

Actually, pickleball is my day job! It doesn’t get much better than that! My Dad “Rocket” and my brother, Zack and I own the company All About Pickleball. Most people know our company because of our Pickleball Rocks apparel brand that we sell. I get to work with my family and help pickleball grow all over the country!

How many hours a week do you play? How do you make time to play?

Unfortunately, just because I work for a pickleball company doesn’t mean I get to play a lot of Pickleball. During the summer we are traveling to tournaments almost every weekend. I played at approximately 25 tournaments this year, but in between tournaments I don’t get a lot of time to practice since I coach high school tennis and have 2 young kids at home.

Do you have any pickleball goals you'd like to share?

My goal is to play the Open Singles at Nationals this year. I want to get in good enough shape that playing singles won’t kill me. Hopefully my wife, Abby, who is passionate about fitness and nutrition can help me out with that!

Anything else you'd like to share about your experience being one of the best pickleball players in the world?

More importantly than being a good pickleball player, my favorite part is going to tournaments and seeing and hanging out with all of our pickleball friends that we have met through this great sport. The pickleball community is such a great group of people, the tournaments are just an added bonus!

Josh has lots of visibility on Facebook and YouTube. Here is one video showing Josh in action. Thank you Josh for sharing some of your pickleball rise to fame story!

2013 Mid-South Regional pickleball Flash vs Grubbs, 5.0 men's singles