The Importance of Eye Protection in Pickleball: Insights from Elite Players
Playing Pickleball without eyewear could risk in serious injuries
Photo : X/@USAPickleball
With a range of pickleball-related injuries on the rise and pickleball as a sport continuing to develop, it’s critical to safeguard oneself against damage. A number of elite players discussed the value of eye protection in the sport.
Top of the World, a small group of players on the PPA Tour who wear eye protection constantly are Anna Leigh Waters and the Brascia sisters, Mary and Maggie. Additionally, Allyce Jones wore sunglasses at the Mesa Arizona Cup last week. Describing herself as an “eyewear enthusiast,” Mary Brascia stresses the value of safety goggles in the quick-paced game of pickleball.
“Maggie and I firmly believe that everyone needs to wear protective eyewear because the game is speeding up. The paddles are getting faster and everything is so quick. You need to have eye protection because the hand battles are just too fast,” she insisted. “We have seen it happen with our friends getting ricocheted pickleballs into the eye. It’s dangerous, and we don’t want anyone getting hurt,” said the other Brascia sister.
Unquestionably, pickleball is getting faster, which implies that injuries will only get worse. These plastic balls are just unsafe, especially if one catches you in the eye, yet they are launched from a mere few feet away. However, Jones highlights a hurdle that prevents many pros from putting on eye protection.
“The majority of us want to wear glasses, but it’s hard to find ones that you can get used to,” she confided. “It’s a matter of getting comfortable with them and being confident enough to wear them in a tournament. Maggie and I have clear ones for indoors, we have tinted ones for night, and our regular sunglasses, too. We have our different styles and like to mix it up. It’s just another fun accessory to the outfit,” she said.
Ranked Number One in the world, Anna Leigh Waters, led by example by starting her career wearing eye protection.
“I found out when I was playing 4.0 and 5.0 tournaments that I was like half-blind. I can’t really see out of my one eye, so mine are prescription. That’s why I started wearing them at the beginning. Then as the sport got faster, they benefited me more because it protects my eyes and helps me see the ball,” said Waters. “I’ve been wearing mine since I was 10, so I’m comfortable with them, but I can see how it would be difficult to get used to them if you’re not comfortable,” said the icon of the sport.
Professionals who do not currently wear eye protection should start doing so as soon as feasible. These players are the world’s quickest and strongest. However, paddles, games, and hand clashes are only becoming faster at the amateur level. Avoid waiting till the last minute!
