Meet The Pros - Suzee Millar Anderson

Meet The Pros – Suzee Millar Anderson

Suzee Millar Anderson gives back as much as she gets playing this wonderful game called pickleball. Be sure to watch the video from France where she helped give a pickleball clinic along with Kyle Yates, Daniel Moore and Hilary Marold. Enjoy!

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

2017 US Open Women's Doubles (WD) 35+ with Susan Schneider - Silver
2017 US Open WD Skill 5.0 with Susan Schneider - Silver
2017 Spanish Open Madrid WD PPF/Elite Division with Hilary Marold - Silver
Spanish Open Madrid 2017 Mixed Doubles PPF/Elite Division with Mills Miller - Bronze

What paddle do you play with and why?

I play with the Paddletek Bantam TS-5. I love the light weight combined with the touch of this paddle. It's my all-time favorite!

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

I found pickleball at our local rec center. My husband had learned the game before me and spent a few months trying to convince me to come and try it out. I was always attending a masters swim workout at the same time pickleball was being played, but one day the swim coach wasn’t there for practice and my husband convinced me to play. It was hands down the funnest game I ever played. I never went back to another swim workout again, and within 3 months I had sold my triathlon bike and dedicated all my extra time to pickleball!

What’s your preference, playing indoor or outdoor?

I really love outdoors. I love to be outside in the sunshine. I also prefer the outdoor surface and ball.

Do you like singles or doubles better? Why?

I prefer doubles. I like the strategy and team play of doubles.

What’s your favorite place to play? Why?

I love to play anywhere! Pickleball has taken me to some amazing places this last year: London, the south of France, Spain, as well as a few great places in the USA. I have been fortunate to meet amazing players wherever I go and I really love the community of pickleball that exists all over the world.

What’s your secret sauce? Any tips for players?

I'm not sure I have any secret sauce, but I have come up with a clever idea to help myself stay patient at the kitchen. I have a tendency to want to speed the ball up too soon sometimes and that is where the idea was born. I call it Red, Yellow, Green Light. The idea is that any ball that's below your waist is a red light. This is a no go for being aggressive. Use your patience and keep dinking it.

Balls at your waist height are a yellow light. Proceed with caution! Keep dinking these too and when it is just right you can push it at your opponent. Be aware that the trajectory of a push from this height is going to be flat and not down at their feet. The likelihood that this will come back at you hard and flat is high unless you catch them off guard.

Anything shoulder height or higher is a green light and is a go for being aggressive! When the ball is high you have the ability to get down on it and a better chance at a clean put away at your opponent’s feet.

What’s your day job?

I am a commercial photographer and mom to 2 awesome kiddos.

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

I play 6-10 hours a week and make sure that 3-4 opportunities to play are scheduled into my busy life each week.

Any lucky rituals before a big tournament?

I like to eat the same things on the morning of and during a tournament. I usually overnight oats in a mason jar. I've been teased for carting my jar and oats all over the world with me. I always have a peanut butter and honey sandwich packed to eat in between matches.

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

One of my favorite parts of my pickleball experience is the amazing community of the sport. I have been privileged to meet the kindest, most generous people all over the world who are associated with this sport. I am so grateful for the friendships I have made in the pickleball community.