Thaddea Lock never expected that a spontaneous decision on holiday would catapult her to the top of England’s pickleball rankings.
The former tennis professional, who once ranked 300th as a junior and 900th on the WTA tour, stumbled into the sport by chance but quickly became England’s number one female pickleball player.
This weekend, Lock will represent her country in the inaugural European Pickleball Team Championships, as the sport continues its rapid rise in popularity across the UK.
An Accidental Introduction to Pickleball
Lock’s pickleball journey began during a holiday in Kansas with friends. Encouraged to try the sport by her friend Lucy Kovalova—who happens to be the world’s best female pickleball player—Lock played three casual sessions.
Returning to the UK, Lock decided to explore pickleball further and reached out to a local club. When asked her skill level, her friend Lucy advised her to claim she was a “5.0” player, the highest amateur ranking in pickleball.
The response was immediate: “If you’re a 5.0, you’re going to be the best female player in the country.” That prediction quickly proved true, as Lock’s natural athleticism and tennis background propelled her to the top.
From Health Setback to Triple Crown Winner
Lock’s transition to pickleball came after a challenging period. While working as a tennis coach and even serving as a hitting partner for wheelchair tennis legend Alfie Hewett, Lock was struck down by a severe illness.
She was diagnosed with glandular fever, hepatitis, and jaundice, leaving her bedridden for months.
When she finally began to recover, Lock realised she could no longer handle the physical intensity of tennis. Instead, she turned to pickleball and immediately found success.
In 2019, she competed in her first pickleball tournament and swept the women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events, earning a “triple crown.” Just a month later, she repeated the feat at the English Open.
Pickleball’s Rapid Rise in the UK
Pickleball, a sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
In the UK, player numbers have skyrocketed from just 2,000 at the end of 2019 to an estimated 35,000 today, with 637 venues now offering pickleball courts.
Lock believes the UK is leading the charge in Europe. “I think, as a country, England are probably the furthest ahead of all the countries in Europe, and once it’s easier for the general public, the sport will just grow and grow,” she says.
Despite its growing popularity, Lock hopes the sport retains its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. “I hope the kind of money at the top end doesn’t destroy what the sport brings to people, that it keeps its friendly atmosphere,” she says.
From Courts to Super Bowl Parties
Lock’s pickleball journey has also brought some unexpected adventures, including a chance encounter with Hollywood star Jamie Foxx. While filming in London, Foxx—an avid pickleball fan—needed a partner to play with. Lock stepped in, and halfway through their session, Foxx extended an invitation to his Super Bowl party that same night.
“He invited these eight strangers that he’d never met before. There’s not many situations where you can do something like that with Jamie Foxx,” Lock recalls. “We could have been anyone, but he trusted us, and I think pickleball kind of allowed that to happen.”
Looking to the Future
As Lock prepares for the European Pickleball Team Championships, she’s not only focused on competition but also on growing the sport she’s come to love.
As one of the few people in England making a living from pickleball, she’s proof of the sport’s potential to transform lives.
From health setbacks to championship victories and Hollywood parties, Lock’s story shows just how much this fast-growing sport can offer—and why everyone should give it a try.