Dekel Bar Brings Fiery Spirit to the Pickleball Court
September 24, 2021
Dekel Bar is a professional pickleball player from Tel Aviv, Isreal. He is co-owner of Pickleball 360 and Pickleball Getaways. On the pro tour, Bar is well-known for his power and athleticism.
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Dekel Bar is a 28-year-old professional pickleball player and former professional tennis player from Tel Aviv, Isreal. He is the co-owner of Pickleball360 and Pickleball Getaways. On the APP Tour and PPA Tour, Bar is a serious force well-known for his power and athleticism. He often partners with Adam Stone for Men's Pro Doubles and Vivienne David for Mixed Pro Doubles.
Dekel Bar is characterized by his razor-sharp focus and fiery spirit. In a recent interview with him, I learned what some of the keys are to keeping competitive. He brings to the court something that a lot of passionate, thriving players have— an intense motivation that pushes him to improve his play, to go beyond his limits.
You’ve been studying Business and Economics at Herzliya University. How has that education been important to running Pickleball360 and Pickleball Getaways?
Dekel: I’ve been learning entrepreneurship, an open mindset, more ideas that are helpful for running businesses. A little bit of everything for software.
What’s your favorite part of the competition?
Dekel: I love competing and games. I love the strategy, more than when I played tennis, every match is completely different based on partners and competitors. Tactics make it interesting.
But don’t think that Dekel doesn’t care for tennis. After all, his origins are his history as a former pro player. Asking him about the relationship between pickleball and tennis, he offered a practical perspective on the transition from tennis to pickleball.
I interviewed a local coach not too long ago who said that pickleball and tennis aren’t mutually exclusive and that they can enhance each other. Since you’re a former pro tennis player, how has your experience with tennis helped with your pickleball game?
Dekel: For sure, tennis is a great background, they have a lot of similar skills, and there are adjustments but as long as you practice both, it helps reinforce skills.
The passionate competition you show on the court is well-known, do you have any rituals or practices that you use as preparation for a match?
Dekel: I do a warm-up routine, mentally get more focused. Also, I eat before, it helps your body and mental state. I tell my mind I’m ready to play, block intruding thoughts when out on the court.
What are some personal sports heroes you look up to?
Dekel: When I was playing tennis, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, the way they treat opponents and fight for everything is inspiring, they keep going despite winning a lot.
What lessons have pickleball taught you outside the court?
Dekel: It gives you a routine and the mindset of doing the right things. Helps you keep focused. Helps you organize and manage your time.
What do you offer to the court as a pro player that sets you apart from others?
Dekel: The energy and fire I bring to the court. I bring good energy, my physicality helps take the court away from the opponents. Keep them under pressure.
Dekel: Making finals at the US Open Pickleball Championships this year, a couple of years before we lost the first round but made massive improvements, it’s really satisfying.
Dekel: A lot of things seem difficult at first, don't be discouraged if something doesn't work in the beginning, you can compete in any level of pickleball. You can be a top pro and you can still have fun. Anything new you start isn’t easy, give it a few more tries and you’ll learn things very quickly.