Professional pickleballers, celebrities play pickleball in Nashville

By Brynn Grissom

on Jun 13, 2024

James Neal and James Ignatowich track a pickleball on an outdoor pickleball court.

Former professional hockey player James Neal teamed up with Selkirk pro James Ignatowich. Photo by Alex Gomez.

Meyers Leonard uses a Luxx Control Air to hit an overhead volley at the kitchen line of an outdoor pickleball court.

Former pro basketballer Meyers Leonard prepares for an overhead volley. Photo by Alex Gomez.

Ava Ignatowich smiles as she dinks a pickleball at the kitchen line of an outdoor pickleball court.

Selkirk pro Ava Ignatowich was all smiles as she dinks the ball. Photo by Alex Gomez.

Professional pickleballers, celebrities play pickleball in Nashville

Selkirk pro James Ignatowich smiles as he prepares to hit the ball. Photo by Alex Gomez.

Ben Johnson hits a return with his Selkirk paddle at the baseline of an outdoor pickleball court.

Songwriter Ben Johnson hits a return. Photo by Alex Gomez.

Hockey player James Neal smiles as he swings his Selkirk Luxx Control Air pickleball paddle.

Former professional hockey player James Neal grins as he plays. Photo by Alex Gomez.

Ava Ignatowich takes a wide stance at the kitchen line of a rooftop pickleball court.

Selkirk pro Ava Ignatowich stands firm at the kitchen line. Photo by Alex Gomez.

Meyers Leonard hits a volley with his Selkirk Luxx Control Air pickleball paddle.

Former pro basketball player Meyers Leonard volleys the pickleball. Photo by Alex Gomez.

James Ignatowich pumps his arms in the air to get a crowd of spectators involved as he stands on an outdoor pickleball court.

Selkirk pro James Ignatowich gets the crowd involved. Photo by Alex Gomez.

As pickleball continues to surge in popularity, Dinkville — Nashville’s No. 1 pickleball community — is partnering with Selkirk Sport and Acrytech to bring summer pickleball programming to the rooftop of the Bobby Hotel.

To kick off the summer, celebrities and pickleball professionals played exhibition matches on May 24.

More than 100 spectators looked on as pickleball professionals James Ignatowich, Ava Ignatowich, Tyra Hurricane Black, and Ryan Fu were joined on court by Australian singer-songwriter Morgan Evans, former pro hockey player James Neal, “Nashville’s Top Songwriter ” Ben Johnson, and former pro basketballer Meyers Leonard.