February Pro Series: Matthew Kawamoto

This is now the third Pro Series article where I’ve featured a Canadian pro player. Matthew Kawamoto has been on the scene longer than most of us and has been playing alongside his family since the day that I met him back in September 2016.

Yup, his whole family plays: Mom, Dad, and three sisters. I can say that from first-hand experience, the entire family is fun and kind-hearted, and constantly give back to our sport on and off the court.

The Pickleball Ontario Provincial Championships was my first encounter with the Kawamotos. My partner and I completely forgot to bring food but the family brought us up to their cooler and shared everything they had with us.

In the end, Matt and his mom knocked my partner and I out of the semi and we would go on to win bronze, they took gold that year.

Matt is a highly skilled player who spends part of the year in the nation’s Capital as the Ottawa Pickleball Association Head Professional and the other part of the year in his hometown as the Head Professional for Pickleball Hamilton.

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Name: Matthew Kawamoto
Sponsored by: Engage Pickleball, Tyrol Pickleball
Paddle: Pursuit MX
Recent Achievement(s): I figured out [that] I'm too fast... Gave myself a whiplash concussion by dodging a headshot. Over 5 months ago and still recovering.

Q. How long have you been playing pickleball and how did you enter the world of pickleball?

I've been playing pickleball for 6 1/2 years. My mom was introduced to pickleball by a friend with a tennis injury, then she introduced it to the family starting with my sisters and then me, and finally dad.

Q. What was your first pro tournament and when?

My dad brought a friend, Joe Willemsen, and me to Bend, Oregon in 2017. He was brand new to the game and wanted to see how we would do in pro.

Q. Can you share a stand-out moment for you during that pro tournament?

My first and only Pro singles tournament was there and my first match was against Tyler Loong. Then our first doubles match was against Kyle Yates and Wes Gabrielson... Such fun experiences!

Q. How often do you practice/drill vs how often do you play per week?

Leading up to tournament season this year, I was on court about 5-6 hours a day. Split between games and drills.

Q. Will you share your favourite drill with us?

I love practising defence so my favourite drill is being in the transition zone with my opponent at the kitchen line. Usually starting with a drive and then continuing to drive or reset the ball in the kitchen depending on what my opponent hits at me.

Q. Who’s your pickleball hero and why?

My pickleball hero is Looey Tremblay. He took me under his wing and increased my knowledge of the game and helped me get to where I am now. He's very humble and such a good person and friend. Also, a highlight that I'll never forget is after his hip replacement, he was still on court with a cane and still going for Erne's!

Q. Name your top 3 favourite shots?

My go-to shot for consistency is definitely my crosscourt dink backhand slice. Next would be my forehand attack volley as it's such a satisfying feeling when hit well. Lastly, I would have to say I enjoy being deceptive and going for the no-look shots.

Q. Do you identify more as a left-side player or right-side player?

I would have to say I prefer playing the left side and usually get that opportunity in mixed. Quite often in men's doubles, my partner is taller and wants to stack with me on the right which works out well. Overall, I'm happy to play either side!

Q. What’s your favourite pickleball moment to date?

The 2018 US Open was such a big moment for me. I got to play with my sister Jessica and my friend Ernesto. It was our first time at the US Open and we had such a big Canadian crowd cheering us on.

What a great environment! We also got the opportunity to play against pros in the age categories (before pros were taken out of age) and I brought home 4 medals. Lastly, I had a crowd of friends surprise me at the airport when I returned home. So much fun!

Q. Private court, perfect setting, it’s competitive but all for fun - who are the 3 other players on court with you and why? What is the exact match-up (you & ____ vs _____ & ____)?

To have a competitive but fun match up, I would have to choose my two tournament partners Ernesto Fajardo and Jessica Kawamoto on one team. For my partner, I would choose my best friend Evelyn Eldridge who is a great player and person. She's also been looking out for me so much since I got my concussion. Love all 3 of them.

Q. What is your favourite tournament format to play in and why?

a. Double elim no consolation gold (like US Open)
b. Double elim with potential to play for gold
c. Round robin

Option B is my preference. With double elimination, almost every match is on the line. It means you can have one bad match and still have a chance to play for gold. Round robin has too many options for teams to move on even if they don't play well. Makes it less competitive in my opinion.

Q. What does the sport of pickleball need the most in order for it to get to the “next level”? Feel free to answer from a Canadian, US, or global perspective.

For Pickleball in Canada, we need more high-level players to push the competition. The more we push each other, the better all of us will get. We also need more indoor facilities that would give us an opportunity to train all year round. From a global perspective, pickleball needs to get into the Olympics and on more sports channels to continue to grow the viewing population.

Q. I don’t necessarily have one, but I think 99% of the world does - what’s your favourite ice cream flavour?

Cookies 'N' Cream 100%.

Q. How do you recover from a day of tournament play in order to get ready for competition the next day?

I focus on staying hydrated with lots of electrolytes and I make sure I eat well the night before.

Q. Do you have a favourite/go-to tournament that you attend?

Pickleball Hamilton's Steeltown Showdown is a fundraiser tournament that I've volunteered at and Co-Directed and we raise money for Ronald McDonald House.

Q. How do you prepare yourself mentally for competition?

The mental game is super important. For competition, I try and clear the mind, visualize positive game situations and stay mentally focused away from distractions.

Q. In how many years do you think pickleball will be an Olympic sport?

I don't know how many years but I sure hope it's soon!

Q. What’s your favourite piece of advice to give to a beginner?

At every level, especially beginner[s], get rid of your expectations and go have fun!

Q. Do you think that pickleball in Canada has the potential to be equally as successful as pickleball in the USA? If so, why is that and if not, can you explain your perspective?

Until investors are willing to spend money to grow the game and build indoor facilities in Canada, I don't think we will get to the level of success that the USA has gotten to.

Q. Can you share with the readers something unique about yourself?

For those who don't know, I'm a triplet which is fun. Also, my whole family plays pickleball!!!