
In this Show, host Curtis Reese sits down with Ridley Seguso, a rising star in the pickleball world with deep roots in professional tennis. Born on June 12, 1993, Ridley is the son of former Grand Slam doubles champion Robert Seguso—who won 29 doubles titles, including four majors—and ex-top-10 WTA player Carling Bassett-Seguso, a Canadian tennis prodigy who reached No. 8 in the world in 1985 and was the youngest winner of the Canadian closed championship at age 14. Growing up in this athletic dynasty, the now 32-year-old Ridley pursued a competitive tennis career himself, standing at 6-foot-3 and competing in USTA pro events, ITF junior circuits, and ATP qualifiers as a right-handed singles player. The conversation shifts to Ridley’s transformative entry into pickleball around 2022, which he credits with reigniting his passion for racquet sports while offering the social, accessible vibe that tennis sometimes lacked for him. Drawing on his tennis-honed skills—like precise volleys and court positioning—Ridley explains how he quickly adapted to pickleball’s faster pace and smaller court, transitioning from casual play to competing as an amateur in APP Tour events. He shares practical tips for tennis converts: focusing on soft hands at the net, mastering the dink to control rallies, and leveraging doubles experience for better partner communication—skills amplified by his family’s tennis legacy.Reese and Seguso also touch on the family dynamic, with Ridley reflecting on how pickleball brought the whole Seguso clan closer. They discuss the sport’s explosive growth, Ridley’s goals for climbing pro rankings, and how pickleball’s inclusivity helped him, turning it into a tool for resilience and community. Ridley also hints at his multifaceted life, including a LinkedIn profile noting his appreciation for skill-building and success in others. Packed with humor, insider strategies, and motivational stories, this episode highlights why pickleball is capturing athletes from traditional racquet sports.https://www.facebook.com/ridseguso/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ridley-seguso-6b511849/https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4nGg7HxKdiQhttps://pickleball.com/players/ridley-seguso