Tyra Black’s journey from tennis prodigy to pickleball sensation is a story of passion, resilience, and the joy of discovering unexpected paths. Hailing from South Florida, Black was a tennis star from a young age, but despite her immense talent and dedication, the sport didn’t bring her true happiness.
“I’ve played tennis my whole life, basically since I was three years old. I was even on the court before that. I never really enjoyed it, and I was on the road since I was 13 years old by myself. So it was pretty lonely,” Black tells BlackDoctor.org.
The constant travel and isolation began to take a toll on Black, leading her to reassess her path after a terrifying earthquake experience in Turkey.
“I realized that I wasn’t doing what I loved. I watched a pickleball tournament for the first time online, and I thought, ‘That is really what I want to do.’ I came back home, then I completely switched to pickleball,” Black says.
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One of the critical differences Black noted between tennis and pickleball is the sense of community. Tennis, often a solitary sport, left her feeling isolated, especially as the only Black player at many tournaments. The aggressive competitiveness in tennis often strained friendships, making the journey lonelier. In contrast, pickleball provided a refreshing change with its inclusive and friendly atmosphere.
“I haven’t felt that being Black has been too much of an issue in pickleball like it was in tennis. I faced a lot of racism on the tennis tour and while traveling. But in pickleball, everyone has been super amazing and welcoming,” Black adds. “There’s another Black player on the tour, Jessie Irvine, who has been super awesome with me. Seeing her out there inspired me, so I hope other players seeing me can also be inspired. I think anyone can play this sport, and everyone should know that.”
Though the blatant racism Black people faced was challenging to endure, these experiences have only strengthened her resolve.
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“I didn’t take it very well when I was younger. When those things happened, I’d be upset for weeks. I’ve heard some awful things and have been called names, which was tough. My sister dealt with a lot more, but it was still very tough for me,” she shares. “It was intense, feeling singled out, especially when you’re on the road. Sometimes at a tournament, you’d be in the same place for a few weeks, and feeling isolated was common. When I was younger, some people would say they couldn’t play with me because of the color of my skin or their parents said they couldn’t hang out with Black people. Those were some of the worst things to hear as a child. It was very tough to deal with at a young age, but as I got older, I realized those things are going to happen. You have to learn to push through it. Some people push hatred onto others due to their own insecurities, so I feel bad for them, but I learned to deal with it and keep that mindset with everything.”
It is this mindset that has pushed Black toward great success in the sport. She recently became one of the first Black women to reach the top 10 in professional pickleball and is among the most dynamic and inspiring players in the sport.
She is currently the co-captain of the Advil Pickleball team alongside Daniel Dae Kim, where she promotes the sport and the products she believes in.
“I promote it as much as I can. I’ve used Advil for a long time and absolutely love it. I want to push people to use it if they need it. I’ve used every targeted relief cream you can think of, and Advil has been the best. It’s crucial to feel good in your daily life, especially when playing sports,” Black says.
Black’s wellness routine is a comprehensive blend of stretching, cooling down, and using targeted relief products to manage pain and recovery.
“After I play, I usually try to stretch and do a nice cool down, like a light jog, and then stretch. I use my Advil Targeted Relief for any pains. Depending on any injuries I have, I’ll take a hot shower or an ice bath. It’s essential to get a good cool-down after a long day and stay hydrated, which also helps your body and mood,” she adds.
“At home, I do a day of movement and a day of strengthening. On the road, it’s not always easy to stay on top of that, but I focus on strength and conditioning to prevent injuries from traveling and staying on tour. My favorite exercises are core exercises. They’re easy for me, but having a strong core is essential in pickleball,” she adds.
For Black, pickleball is more than just a sport; it’s a way to boost her mood and build social connections.
“Pickleball has been amazing. It elevates your mood and is a great way to get exercise and stay social. I love going out to open play, meeting new people, and playing with everyone. Everything is close together, which helps mentally and physically. I definitely recommend playing to anyone,” Black notes.
Looking ahead, Black aims to continue pushing herself in pickleball as long as it brings her joy. She is also passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion within the sport, participating in community events, and inspiring young athletes.
“I’d love to organize clinics and events. Some people have reached out about community tournaments, which would be amazing. I’ll try to fit those around my tournaments. I want to do inclusive things to show people they can be in the sport. Pickleball isn’t just a country club sport. Everyone is welcoming, and anyone can play,” she adds.
Black’s advice for young athletes, especially those from minority backgrounds, is to be confident and resilient.
“You just have to put yourself out there as much as you can. I was scared to be in the spotlight when I was younger. Have as much confidence in yourself as you can. Don’t be scared of anyone. Fight, have fire, and keep pushing and working hard. You can do anything you put your mind to. Don’t let anyone tear you down,” Black concludes.
