East Meets West: Venise Chan Interviews Kyle Yates
Venise Chan, a recent pickleball pro and former tennis champion from Hong Kong, sat down with Kyle Yates, a pickleball pro and former tennis champion from America, for an interview about the global growth of pickleball, the pressure of playing at the highest level, and more.
Venise Chan: Thank you, Kyle, for partnering with me despite it is my first tournament experience as a pickleball pro. Pickleball fans in Asia are pretty excited that I get to meet and play with the former world champion! What tips would you give me after partnering with me in my first pickleball tournament? How do you think I can improve, and what tips to other tennis players who want to transition to pickleball do you have?
Kyle Yates: I am glad to hear I have fans across Asia! I would say to just keep playing! This is only your first tournament. Pickleball is not difficult to learn but it takes time and practice to make the right decision and use the right shots and be consistent. Tennis players need to know that Pickleball is NOT tennis. There are quite a few unique Pickleball shots to learn and master like dinking and block volleys.
Venise Chan: As a former champion, the field of play becomes stronger and stronger each year, what do you think it takes for you to become champion again? Or would you only focus on coaching mainly now?
Kyle Yates: It takes extreme dedication to become world #1 at anything, especially Pickleball. I spent several years training to become the best, achieved my goal, and nowadays I enjoy coaching and sharing the game with others more than just competing.
Venise Chan: During your tournament days, how do you handle a bad day/a loss in pickleball?
Kyle Yates: Spending time with friends and family always cheers me up. Nobody enjoys losing but Pickleball is just a game and you have to accept both wins and losses at the same time and they are all learning experiences and try to learn from every loss and keep improving every time.
Venise Chan: Do you feel the same pressure when you play a match in tennis versus a game of Pickleball?
Kyle Yates: I do pressure myself in everything I do. I always wanted to challenge myself to achieve my best in sports, in academics, in everything. Pressure actually bring the good out of me, it helps me focus and do my best. I try to embrace it.
Venise Chan: Any tips on how you think pickleball in Hong Kong and Asia can grow?
Kyle Yates: Most people agree that Asia has so much potential for growing Pickleball. Here in the US, everyone who plays Pickleball loves to tell their friends, neighbors, anybody about it! We wear Pickleball clothes and bags and are not shy about introducing new people. We are proud to play such a new, fun, inclusive and social sport and we hope that culture spreads to Asia as well!
Venise Chan: Any plans for you to teach and play in tournaments in Asia in 2022/2023?
Kyle Yates: I’d love to make a trip to Asia some day soon! Maybe I can come play with you in the 2023 in Asia Championships or in the Hong Kong Open!?
