A Lot Has Happened

Hey guys, it’s Jack!

If you know me, you know I care a lot about feel and connection to my paddle. I’ve been using Hesacore for a while now and it’s quietly become a non negotiable part of my setup. The grip feels secure without being bulky, the feedback is clean, and it gives me the confidence to accelerate through shots when it matters most. It’s built for high level play but still feels natural in the hand, which is huge for me. Hesacore has been supporting me and I’m grateful to be aligned with a brand that actually prioritizes performance. If you want to try one for yourself, they’ve got a code for y’all!

Code “JACK10” for 10% off!

First things first, I owe you one. I know it’s been a while since the last newsletter. Like… a long while. This newsletter really does mean a lot to me, and even though life has been pretty hectic the past few months, I missed this. Jack’s Journal has always been my place to brain dump, reflect, and share what’s really going on behind the scenes.

The good news is I’m excited to ramp this back up. I’ve got better systems in place now, more support, and a lot to talk about. So thank you for sticking with me even when things went quiet. I truly appreciate it.

Let’s catch up.

Life on Tour Lately

The past month or so has been a whirlwind. Tournaments, travel, new partnerships, and a lot of learning moments packed into a short window.

First up was USAP Nationals in San Diego back in November. Nationals is always one of my favorite events of the year and honestly one of the biggest tournaments on the calendar. This time around, I wasn’t able to play with my usual partner Will Howells, so I teamed up with Richard Livornese.

Richard is a Next Gen guy and just a serious student of the game. I’ve partnered with him before, so there was already trust there. We ended up taking gold, that one meant a lot. It showed how much we’ve grown and how well we work together.

Moving forward, I’ll be playing with Richard as Will transitions away from this tour. I’m genuinely excited about it. Having a partner who thinks deeply about the game and is always learning is huge for me.

In mixed, I played with Megan and we lost in the semifinals. Still a great showing overall. I love playing with Megan. She’s steady, reliable, and honestly my rock out there. She lets me do the dumb fun stuff I love while keeping us grounded.

Nationals was a good one.

Vietnam Was Something Else

Right after Nationals, I flew to Vietnam for D-Joy Vietnam, and I can confidently say this was one of the best tournaments I have ever played in!

Pickleball in Asia is different. It’s growing fast, it’s electric, and the energy is unreal. A lot of players come from badminton or table tennis, so the hand speed is next level. Add in the humidity and slower ball, and it turns into a completely different game.

I teamed up with Quang Duong and Megan Fudge at this event and ended up winning double gold. This tournament meant a lot to me. Competing in another country, partnering with a Vietnamese player in his home country, and seeing how big pickleball is becoming outside the US was eye opening.

The finals were best of five, which was a first for me. It was the most physically strenuous and mentally exhausting pickleball I’ve ever played. I was absolutely cooked afterward.

The fans in Vietnam were unbelievable. The production, the walkouts, the engraved trophies, the photography, the academy they’re building behind the scenes for young players, all of it felt elite. There was a 14 year old kid we played who was absolutely insane. These kids are training every day, and they are coming fast for our lunch money.

Vietnam was special. One of my favorite places I’ve ever traveled and competed.

India and Learning to Lead

From Vietnam, I flew straight to New Delhi for the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL). This was a team event with six teams, pool play, then single elimination.

I really enjoyed this experience. The league came together quickly, but the organization, production, and overall professionalism impressed me. The courts were different and required adjustment, but that’s part of being a pro. You adapt.

Our team didn’t perform as well as we wanted, and honestly, that one’s on me. I was the team captain, but I didn’t lead the way I should have on court. That was a tough but valuable lesson. Looking back, it gave me clarity on how I want to show up as a leader in the future.

Not every tournament teaches you with medals. Some teach you with reflection.

One Last Run With Will

After India, it was back to Florida for APP Fort Lauderdale. This one was special.

It was my final tournament of the year with Will Howells in men’s doubles before he leaves the APP. I came into the tournament pretty sick, and Will carried me early. Later, I returned the favor. That’s what great partnerships are made of.

We took gold, marking our seventh men’s doubles gold of the year together. That ties the record and says a lot about how dominant we were as a team. Out of 11 APPs I played this year, I won 9 of them, giving me a win percentage of 82% on tour.

Will has been more than just a partner. He’s been a mentor and honestly like a big brother to me. On and off the court, I owe him a lot.

In mixed, Megan and I took bronze. Those bronze matches are mentally and physically draining, so finishing strong felt good. Megan has been huge for me all year, not just on court but in the day to day grind of travel and competition.

Also, the Fort is one of my favorite venues to play. The atmosphere, the championship court, the vibe, it’s truly one of a kind.

That’s a Wrap

If you made it this far, thank you. It really means a lot to be back writing these. I appreciate all the support more than you know, and I’m excited to keep this newsletter rolling consistently again.

More updates coming soon.

See y’all next time.
Jack Munro