Sarasota pickleballer reflects on first year on the pro circuit

Kristi Dorman is a 55-year-old rookie, finishing her first season as a professional pickleball player. 

She was drafted in May by the Indianapolis Drivers, one of 12 teams in the National Pickleball League, for players 49 and older.

After the 2024 season came to a close in September, she’s about to perform on one of the sport’s biggest stages, the Professional Pickleball League’s Championship Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio.

She says the pro circuit has been amazing. “Oh, gosh, it's been a great experience,” she said. “I can't believe we've already completed five months, and going into our sixth month, it's been a kind of a whirlwind, but it's been great.”

A former NCAA Division I tennis player at Ball State University, she says the team aspect of competition has been a big adjustment. “If you're not playing, you're cheering on your fellow teammates. And so I think that team aspect, for me, has been really great and something special to be a part of, because in tournament play, you know, it's just you and your partner out there.”

After she was drafted by the Drivers, she says she wasn’t sure she could measure up to other professionals. 

“I don't think I had much confidence in myself,” Dorman said.” I wasn't quite sure how I could stack up with a field of 150 pro players. I had only played in two pro tournaments prior to the draft, so I feel like it's definitely been eye-opening.”

“I've lost some pretty close matches this year to some of the best women and mixed teams in the league. So it's definitely challenging, which I love. I feel like we, as a team, our confidence is getting better and better each month.”

And although the Drivers have had a tough season, at 6-14, she’s optimistic. “My confidence has improved, and I feel like I can play with the best of them,” she said.

Adjusting to the pro game

Dorman says she’s had to change her game at the professional level. “I think the higher you go up in competitive play, you can't just rely on your athleticism,” she said. “You're playing against players that can really hit any shot.”

Dorman says she has to be more strategic with what she does with the ball, “as opposed to just going out and hitting. You can't just bang with the better players. You can't. You have to be very strategic. So I'm hoping I get better with that.”

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Dorman says the mental game is more important at the pro level. “I'm doing some visualization work and trying to work more on strategy,” she said.

As the championship weekend approaches Oct. 17-20 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she’s focusing less on matches and more on drills. “I probably am drilling a lot more than I did, and I'm reading more about the game and studying the game more,” she said.

Since all the league’s matches are streamed online, “I can go back and watch my play, which is something I had never done before.”

The transition from tennis to pickleball was a challenge, Dorman said. “You have to kind of tighten up your tennis game,” she explained. “Pickleball is very compact, so once you figure that out, that you can't just bang all day.”

Doman says she’s looking forward to championship weekend. “Actually, I'm quite hopeful. We beat Columbus, and then they're ranked number two going into the championship. So we've had some really good wins, and hopefully we will have our full team in Cincinnati. I think we can hopefully surprise some people.”

Dorman says she’s grateful for the opportunity to be in a competitive atmosphere. “Had you told me I would be competing at age 55 at a high level in any sport, I would not have believed it,” she said.

She said it's changed her life. “I've met so many amazing people along the way. It's a game that is accessible to so many. … It's a lot of fun.”

She says she’s looking forward to the offseason, to get back to teaching pickleball. “I really enjoy teaching. I love introducing the sport to beginners.”

Where she’ll be playing next season is uncertain. Teams in the National Pickleball League redraft their rosters every year, ”to maintain a lot of parity throughout the league,” Dorman explained. The league also plans to expand up to four new teams in 2025.

“I'm just very grateful that I've had this opportunity and really look forward to the championships,” she said, “and would encourage everyone to get out on the pickleball court and play pickleball.”