On Independence Day, professional pickleball player Danny Jensen emphasised the importance of honouring military service through sport. As an ambassador for pickleball, he revealed how he connects with military personnel and their families, collaborating with the Pro Pickleball Tour and Armed Forces Entertainment. In December, Jensen and other players embarked on a goodwill tour to various military bases, hosting events to boost morale and foster community. According to Jensen, pickleball offers a much-needed stress relief and normalcy for service members, who eagerly embrace the sport.

“I think it’s about the best way I can give back with the sport of pickleball, especially to our military, especially on the other side of the world,” said Jensen. “This is something I put at the top of my priority list. It wouldn’t matter if there were a tournament, or what it was, I would always choose to serve those who serve our country and allow me to play this incredible game. I’ll choose that over playing for myself any day,” he was quoted as saying by pickleball.com.

Pickleball is relatively popular among military personnel.

“A lot of these military bases are creating their own pickleball groups. We have anywhere from 15 to 45 people at every base playing very consistently on everything from gym floors to makeshift courts outside. These guys and girls do anything they can to play,” explained Jensen. “We played with firefighters in Saudi Arabia on a court where they park all their trucks. We played with a bomb squad in the UAE that has a court in their parking lot, too. They enjoy pickleball just as much as anybody I’ve ever met. You’d think that the Super Bowl was happening when we stepped on base because they’re just chomping at the bit to play. It’s easy to get obsessed with pickleball.”

A short break can definitely go a long way.

“What it comes down to on bases is people coming together and enjoying a sport that’s healthy, that takes them away from the stress of day-to-day life and their work, and they get to enjoy some quality downtime,” he explained. “Pickleball brings a little bit of that sense of normalcy, that sense of fun and competitiveness, and it’s a stress outlet for them. Being able to do that for our military people who put their lives on the line every single day is incredible.”

“Everything we do is for these men and women. When we’re leaving, part of it is we try to encourage them, ‘Hey! Keep growing the sport.’ They love pickleball, and they’re great advocates, especially amongst other members of the military,” concluded Jensen.