A Week I Won’t Forget

Hey y’all, Jack here.

This one feels a little different to write.

The past stretch has been one of those where a lot happens in a short amount of time, and it forces you to slow down after the fact and actually take it all in. Some moments were loud, some were quiet, and one in particular is something I’ll carry with me for a long time.

So I wanted to share it properly.

Let’s rewind a bit.

Vietnam Set The Tone

Coming into Vietnam, I felt really good.

The Asia swing had already been so much fun, and I felt settled. Comfortable with the travel, adjusted to the conditions, and just excited to compete.

And Vietnam… delivered.

The tournament was high level across the board. Everything felt smooth, professional, and organized in a way that just lets you focus on playing. The draw was stacked too. Strong international names, rising local talent, and a crowd that cares. And the conditions? Insane.

The humidity changes everything. The way the ball moves, the way your body feels, even your timing. It forces you to adjust quickly. But once I found my rhythm… everything started clicking.

Richard Livornese and I ended up taking gold in men’s doubles, and that final was a rollercoaster. We came out flat, dropped the first game badly, and just didn’t have our feel. But we stayed composed. We made adjustments. And then we flipped it completely. Winning the next two games the way we did… that felt different. That’s the kind of match that reminds you what you’re capable of.

In mixed, Sofia and I also took gold. Still a newer partnership, still learning each other’s tendencies, but that’s what these tournaments are for. Building that connection, figuring out how to support each other, and growing through it.

Off the court, Vietnam was just as special. The people, the energy, the city… it all just hits.

I’ll definitely be back.

Seattle Brought Me Back To Earth

From there, I went straight into Seattle for the first domestic APP event of the year.

And this is where things got tough.

The conditions were completely different. Cold weather, different ball feel, and just a completely different pace of play. I never really found my rhythm all weekend. Richard and I lost in the quarterfinals, which was a tough one to take. We haven’t lost together in a while, so feeling that again hit hard.

In mixed, Sofia and I made it to the semifinals but couldn’t close it out.

The biggest thing for me wasn’t nerves. I felt calm. I just didn’t have feel. I couldn’t feel the ball the way I normally do, and everything felt slightly off. I played below my standard, and I knew it.

But looking back, that’s part of the process. Losses force you to look at things honestly. They show you what needs work, and they don’t let you hide from it. I left Seattle with a clear list of things I want to improve, and that’s something I’m already working on.

The Masters And a Reset

After Seattle, I had the chance to go to The Masters, and that experience was exactly what I needed. Owl hooked me up with tickets, and I was able to bring my dad with me. That alone made it special. It ended up being one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

The Masters is completely different from any other sporting event. No phones, no distractions, just a quiet, respectful environment where you can really take everything in. It was just me and my dad walking around Augusta, watching some of the best golfers in the world, and actually having time to talk and connect.

That meant a lot.

We had incredible seats, got to meet some amazing people, and just enjoyed being there together. It brought a sense of calm back into everything for me.

Huge thank you to Owl for making that happen. That’s a memory I’ll always hold onto.

The US Open and THAT Moment

Then came the US Open.

This tournament is always one of my favorites, and this year being the 10 year anniversary made it even more special. The energy, the crowd, the organization, everything about it was top tier. I started off strong, winning gold in the split age division, which felt like a good reset after Seattle.

In mixed, Roos and I took bronze. She’s an incredible competitor and an even better person, and I really enjoy playing alongside her. But the moment that stuck with me came in men’s doubles. Richard and I fought our way through the draw and ended up taking gold. It was a tough final, and we had to stay locked in the entire time.

And then the flag ceremony happened.

If you’ve never seen it, it’s one of the most powerful moments in pickleball. Players from all over the world walk out with their country’s flags, and the entire court fills with energy.

Ten years ago, I was there as a kid, playing in the junior divisions, standing in that same ceremony. And now, I’m standing there after winning gold, hearing my name, seeing the crowd, and it all just hit me.

I started crying. Right there on center court. Not because of anything negative. Just pure gratitude. Everything that led up to that moment just came rushing in at once.

Richard came up to me, told me he was proud of me, and that moment is something I’ll never forget.

It made me realize how far I’ve come.

Come Travel With Me To CROATIA!

Alright, this is something I’m really excited about.

I’m hosting a pickleball trip in Croatia this October, and it’s not just a clinic… it’s a full experience. We’re talking training, competing, exploring, eating unreal food, and actually getting to spend real time together on and off the court.

The trip runs October 6 to 12 in Split, Croatia, and we’re basically living the dream for a week. Training sessions, open play, and clinics where we’re breaking down everything from the basics to high level strategy, plus full day excursions like waterfalls, island hopping, and exploring some of the coolest spots in Europe.

And the best part is it’s not just “show up, hit a few balls, and leave.”
You’re actually with me the whole week.

On court, off court, dinners, trips, all of it. If you’ve ever wanted real reps, real coaching, and real time to ask questions and level up your game, this is it. Honestly, you’re going to learn more in that one week than you would in months on your own.

Spots are very limited, and I mean that. This isn’t one of those massive camps. It’s meant to be small, personal, and high quality.

So if that sounds like something you’d want to be part of, lock it in early.

Stay Up To Date

Also, if you want to keep up with everything in real time, socials are where it’s at.

The newsletter is where I get to slow down and actually reflect, but Instagram and YouTube is where you see everything as it’s happening. The matches, the travel, the behind the scenes, the random moments that don’t make it in here.

I’ve been putting a lot more into YouTube especially, trying to find that balance between entertaining content and stuff that actually helps you improve your game. Some videos are pure chaos, some are more instructional, but all of it is stuff I genuinely enjoy making.

So if you want to follow along day to day, that’s where I’m most active.

That’s a Wrap

If you made it this far, thank you.

I don’t take it lightly that you spend time following along with this journey. It means a lot. Right now I’m in Brooklyn, heading to Fort Lauderdale next to train, and then it’s on to APP Sacramento.

More to come.

Onward and upward.
See y’all soon.