My First Pickleball Experiences

by Mylene Tenorio

Pickleball players never forget their firsts — their first clinic, their first tournament, their first paddle, their first coach, and most importantly, the friends who helped shape the vibrant community we share today. 

My first clinic was a beginner class at Montclair Pickleball, held at one of their indoor locations in Montclair, NJ — perfect for a winter start. My first coaches were David and Lena, and the clinic was fantastic! From that moment, I was hooked. I started building my pickleball community, swapping numbers, creating WhatsApp groups, attending open plays — the whole deal.

My first paddle was a JOOLA Scorpeus. It was a bit of a splurge, but absolutely worth the investment. Plus, I loved watching Anna Bright play, and it was her paddle — that made it even cooler.

My first NJ State Open tournament hosted by Montclair Pickleball was an absolute rollercoaster — exciting, nerve-racking, and humbling all at once. I remember feeling a mix of adrenaline and anxiety as I stepped onto the court, unsure of what to expect. Sadly, I lost every game, which at the time was tough to swallow. But looking back, it was one of the best things that could’ve happened.

That experience opened my eyes to the areas I really needed to improve — from shot selection (drops and resets) and court positioning to managing my nerves and staying mentally focused. It gave me a clear direction, motivated me to train harder, and deepened my respect for the competitive side of the game.

Losing may have stung, but it sparked a fire in me to come back stronger — and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing ever since. I’ll be signing up for the NJ State Open on July 11–13, 2025, ready for a little redemption.

As I continued on my pickleball journey, I dove into as many opportunities to grow as I could — signing up for clinics like 3.0–3.5 level training, 'Play with a Pro,' guided drilling sessions, and open plays at the Fair Lawn, NJ location. The coaching there has been phenomenal — so many talented and supportive instructors! But one of the most unexpected and rewarding parts of this experience has been the community. I’ve met amazing people of all ages, and those casual games and shared laughs have turned into some truly meaningful friendships. That’s the magic of pickleball — it brings people together in the best way.