Ep. 8: From Tennis to Pickleball (Guest Jay Devilliers)

In Episode 8, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson welcome the show’s first professional pickleball guest, Jay Devilliers, a professional pickleball player, former APP Tour No. 1, and Major League Pickleball athlete. Jay shares his journey from growing up in France and pursuing a career in professional tennis to becoming one of the top players in professional pickleball.Jay reflects on growing up as the youngest of seven children in an intensely competitive family, choosing tennis over soccer at age 14, and leaving France to train at a tennis academy in Spain. He discusses how different training environments shaped him as an athlete, the injuries that changed his tennis career, and his eventual move to the United States to play Division I college tennis at Wichita State.The conversation then turns to the unexpected opportunity that introduced Jay to pickleball. After college, Jay accepted a job as a pickleball director despite having never played the sport. As pickleball began to grow, he discovered an opportunity to revive his dream of becoming a professional athlete and took a chance on pursuing the sport full-time.In this episode, they explore:✅ Growing up in France as the youngest of seven children in an extremely competitive family✅ Choosing between high-level soccer and tennis at just 14 years old✅ Leaving home to train at a tennis academy in Spain and developing a "warrior" mentality✅ How injuries changed his path toward becoming a professional tennis player✅ The decision to come to the United States and play Division I college tennis at Wichita State✅ How college tennis improved his doubles game and helped prepare him for pickleball✅ Taking a job as a pickleball director before he had ever played the sport✅ Why Jay decided to gamble on professional pickleball while the sport was still developing✅ How his tennis background, preparation, and competitive mindset gave him an edge in professional pickleball✅ Why Jay is willing to do whatever it takes to compete and win✅ The importance of parents understanding what their children truly want from sports✅ Why every young athlete has their own path to development and successRyan, Steve, and Jay also discuss the differences between tennis development in France, Spain, and the United States, what it takes to create a professional mindset, and how the competitive landscape of pickleball has evolved. Jay shares his perspective as both a professional athlete and a parent, emphasizing the importance of supporting young athletes without trying to live your own dreams through them.Whether you're a tennis or pickleball player, parent, coach, or sports fan, this episode offers a fascinating look at competition, development, adaptability, and what can happen when one athletic dream leads to an entirely new opportunity.Connect with The Serving the Future ShowFollow us for clips, behind-the-scenes content, guest highlights, and conversations about tennis, pickleball, padel, athlete development, and the future of racquet sports.Instagram: @servingthefutureshowX: @TSTF_ShowTikTok: @servingthefutureshowFacebook: Serving the Future ShowYouTube: @ServingtheFutureShowHosted by Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson and recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps us reach more players, parents, coaches, and fans across the racquet sports community.