MEET THADDEA LOCK—THE UK'S #1 FEMALE PICKLEBALL PLAYER
Currently, she's the top player in the UK and is recognized as one of only a handful of elite players in Europe.
By David Judson · February 8, 2024 · News
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/thaddea.lock/photos
From Chance Encounter to Professional Journey: Serendipity on the Pickleball Court.
Thaddea Lock’s pickleball journey began in October 2018 when she decided to visit friends in Kansas, USA. One of their close friends, “Lucy,” played Pickleball and invited Thaddea to join in the fun with a local mom’s group.
Upon returning home, she was eager to continue playing, so she looked up local clubs in London. Excited, she reached out to one nearby, expressing her interest in playing more Pickleball despite having only played a few times in the States.
The club was welcoming but curious about her skill level. Unsure, Thaddea reached out to “Lucy” back in the States who suggested she claim a 5.0 level—jargon utterly foreign to her at the time.
When she told the London club her level they were surprised, joking that such a rating would make her the top female player in the UK. She was a bit stunned, clarifying she was a novice, having only played a handful of times.
The club was curious and inquired about “Lucy's” last name. Upon learning it was Kovalova, the club let Thaddea know that Lucy Kovalova was, at the time, the number-one female player in the world.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/thaddea.lock/photos
Early Wins Spark Ambition For A Pro Career
In May 2019, she entered her first tournament – the Scottish Open- and won the women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. Not stopping there, she continued her winning streak by clinching the same three titles at the English Open the following month.
Her success didn't just stay within the UK; she competed in tournaments across France, Spain, Germany, and the USA, showcasing her talent on a global stage before the pandemic put a pause on international competitions.
Thaddea at the Mediterranean Open in 2023 | Image source: https://www.facebook.com/thaddea.lock/photos
Thaddea feels her early success in Pickleball comes from her extensive tennis background and understanding the game's nuances.
She remarks, “Pickleball is a sport that requires quick hands and fast reactions and tennis players generally pick it up quite quickly. But what's most challenging is not trying to hit every ball as hard as possible, especially when driving from the back of the court. It's important in Pickleball to hit consistent, soft drop-shots called 'dinks' to build the point and set yourself up with an opportunity to finish with a volley.”
The 2023 English Open Sets A New Standard In The Sport
Thaddea at the English Open 2023 | Image source: https://www.facebook.com/thaddea.lock/photos
The 2023 English Open marked a significant milestone, not just for her but for the sport in the UK, being the largest indoor tournament ever held outside North America. The event was a leap forward for the English Open, featuring nearly 40 courts and hosting over a thousand players, including many international competitors. Her partnership with Skechers, announced at the tournament's start, underscored the event's importance and her rising profile in the sport.
Her approach to the tournament was pragmatic, given the demands of her job at Wimbledon preceding it. With little time for practice or training, she set no expectations for herself, contributing to a relaxed mindset and a surprisingly successful outcome. Sharing the court with top US and European players, she found her performance consistently strong across the event. This rewarding experience highlighted the vibrant pickleball scene in the UK and Europe.
Expanding The Sport's Popularity
She coaches Pickleball in her free time, enjoying the shared enthusiasm for the game, and aspires to elevate its popularity and competitive standards in the UK, hoping for more dedicated facilities as the sport expands.
Thadea says, “One of my ambitions is to help grow Pickleball in the UK in terms of the number of people playing, as well as raise the level so we can really start to compete with the players in America.”
“I currently coach Pickleball in my spare time and enjoy seeing people have as much fun playing as I do. The sport is growing constantly, with more and more clubs adapting their tennis or badminton courts. Hopefully, because of demand, there will be many more dedicated Pickleball courts rather than improvising on courts primarily used for other sports.”
