Camden Chaffin

Alice Tym
Jul 21
2 min read

Hometown: Grove City, Ohio

Age: 14

Rating: DUPR of 6.116 in Men’s Doubles and 6.113 in Men’s Singles

Favorite Shot: Two-handed backhand roll

Favorite Tournament: Worlds PPA – Dallas

Describe how you developed your best shot, the two-handed backhand roll.

I started playing pickleball when I was 9 years old and not very strong. I used a two-handed backhand for control and power. I practiced with my 18-year-old brother, and I watched instruction videos of Simone Jardim.

Unlike a lot of pickleball players, you did not come from tennis. What is your sports background?

I played baseball, basketball, and football. I played shortstop and that required a lot of hand–eye coordination. My dad coached me in all the different sports. My aunt in California bought some wood paddles on Amazon and the whole family started playing pickleball.

Where does your mental strength come from? You are 14 but playing in the men’s divisions.

I give credit to both of my parents. My dad coached me in all the sports, and my mom is smart and keeps me focused on the right thing. She travels with me. When I started, there were few juniors playing. Now young players can play against other young players as more kids play pickleball.

What is your favorite drill?

Both players stand midcourt and fire balls at each other as they come up to the kitchen line. I recommend wearing safety glasses 1,000 percent. I wear Pilla glasses. They also highlight the ball.

As a top junior player in pickleball, do you feel obligated to set a good example?

I think it is very important to set a good example. Sportsmanship is important. Talking to people and talking to your fans is important. I take it very seriously.

How do you find balance in your life when you are playing a lot of tournaments?

I started without a coach, but now I have Mike Wolf. My personality is to be calm on the court. Mike being there helps. He has a calming presence. I just got back from three tournaments and now we are taking a family cruise to the Bahamas. We are learning to find balance.

What do you see as the future of pickleball?

There are going to be a lot of players who don’t have tennis backgrounds. There will be more creativity, shots you have not seen before. I want to be a part of it.