My Guest: Alex Crum — Grace, Fire and the Soul of Pickleball
In the vibrant, electric atmosphere of the Atlanta pickleball circuit, there are players who stand out for their results. And then there are players who stand out for something harder to define — a presence, an energy, a way of carrying themselves that makes everyone around them feel the game differently.
Alex Crum is the second kind.
We had the privilege of watching him compete in Atlanta, and from the very first serve, something was clear: this is not just a talented athlete. This is someone who understands what pickleball is really about — and who lives that understanding both on and off the court.
The Way He Plays
Elegant. Intense. Calculated. Those are the words that come to mind watching Alex Crum in a match. His footwork is precise, his shot selection intelligent, and his energy — rather than draining those around him — is somehow contagious. He elevates the room.
When we asked him what he would say defines his playing style, he didn't hesitate:
"I want relentless pressure to be the way my playing style is categorized. I want opponents to feel as if they are not in control of the outcome of the match. This summer my focus is to implement far more finesse and strategy into my court game."
That answer tells you everything. Alex Crum is not a player who shows up hoping things go well. He shows up with a plan — and the discipline to execute it.
The Moment That Proved Everything
Every great competitor has a moment that defines them. For Alex, it came at a tournament in Atlanta, in a match against Federico — a player he describes simply as a special opponent.
"I knew I was more than capable of winning that match — and to be honest with you, I felt more nerves before that match than I have ever felt or will ever feel because I was very aware of what the ramifications of a win could mean for me. I have been proven correct."
There it is. Not arrogance — clarity. The kind of self-awareness that separates athletes who hope to win from athletes who know they will, and understand exactly what it means when they do. That match wasn't just a result. It was a statement.
Off the Court: Where Character Speaks Loudest
What truly sets Alex Crum apart — what made us want to feature him in this edition — is not his ranking or his results. It's what happens after the final point.
His warmth with fans. His willingness to stay, talk, connect. His approachability after matches, during warmups, in the moments when most athletes are already somewhere else mentally. Alex is present. Genuinely, noticeably present.
He spoke about this directly when we asked about attitude and friendliness off the court:
"To me, life is all about human connection. Mental toughness and content of character are just as important as your talent and acumen on the court."
And when we asked what advice he would give to young players dreaming of a future in pickleball:
"Don't be a jerk. Work hard. Be respectful to everyone you meet along your journey. No one wants to cheer for someone who treats others with disrespect."
Simple. Direct. True. The kind of advice that sounds obvious until you realize how rarely it's actually followed.
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What Pickleball Has Taught Him About Life
Alex is clear that pickleball has given him far more than a sport to compete in. It has given him a lens through which to see everything else.
"Pickleball has caught me in a plethora of things. More than anything it has reminded me that your window is never fully closed. Life happens, opportunities come and go, but you never know when all of your hard work and good faith will pay off."
That perspective — patient, grounded, grateful — is rare in elite sport. It speaks to someone who has learned to trust the process not as a cliché, but as a lived truth.
What's Next: Dream Courts and Big Ambitions
When we asked about tournaments or locations still on his bucket list, Alex didn't overthink it:
"Any dream events in sight? I love traveling and am eager to play at every PPA stop around this great country. I am particularly excited to play in San Clemente. I am obsessed with Lifetime as a brand and have heard that this facility is truly in a league of its own."
The hunger is real. And so is the vision. Alex Crum is not a player coasting on talent — he is a player actively building something. A career. A legacy. A community around a sport he genuinely loves.
A Shared Circle
We are also proud to share that Alex and DINK Authority Magazine share a mutual friend: the beautiful and talented Lorena Duknic, our previous cover star. She spoke of Alex with the same admiration we now feel after witnessing his talent and character up close.
That kind of connection — where great people consistently surround themselves with other great people — is never an accident. It is a reflection of who Alex Crum truly is.
Final Word
As pickleball continues its rise into a global movement, it will be shaped by the players who bring not just skill, but soul. Players who compete with fire and connect with kindness. Players who understand that the sport is bigger than any one result, any one tournament, any one moment.
Alex Crum is one of those players.
Thank you, Alex, for being part of this edition — and for showing the world that true champions shine just as brightly off the court.
Keep the passion alive. Keep the game strong.
"See you on the next edition."
In the vibrant, electric atmosphere of the Atlanta pickleball circuit, there are players who stand out for their results. And then there are players who stand out for something harder to define — a presence, an energy, a way of carrying themselves that makes everyone around them feel the game differently.
Alex Crum is the second kind.
We had the privilege of watching him compete in Atlanta, and from the very first serve, something was clear: this is not just a talented athlete. This is someone who understands what pickleball is really about — and who lives that understanding both on and off the court.
The Way He Plays
Elegant. Intense. Calculated. Those are the words that come to mind watching Alex Crum in a match. His footwork is precise, his shot selection intelligent, and his energy — rather than draining those around him — is somehow contagious. He elevates the room.
When we asked him what he would say defines his playing style, he didn't hesitate:
"I want relentless pressure to be the way my playing style is categorized. I want opponents to feel as if they are not in control of the outcome of the match. This summer my focus is to implement far more finesse and strategy into my court game."
That answer tells you everything. Alex Crum is not a player who shows up hoping things go well. He shows up with a plan — and the discipline to execute it.
The Moment That Proved Everything
Every great competitor has a moment that defines them. For Alex, it came at a tournament in Atlanta, in a match against Federico — a player he describes simply as a special opponent.
"I knew I was more than capable of winning that match — and to be honest with you, I felt more nerves before that match than I have ever felt or will ever feel because I was very aware of what the ramifications of a win could mean for me. I have been proven correct."
There it is. Not arrogance — clarity. The kind of self-awareness that separates athletes who hope to win from athletes who know they will, and understand exactly what it means when they do. That match wasn't just a result. It was a statement.
Off the Court: Where Character Speaks Loudest
What truly sets Alex Crum apart — what made us want to feature him in this edition — is not his ranking or his results. It's what happens after the final point.
His warmth with fans. His willingness to stay, talk, connect. His approachability after matches, during warmups, in the moments when most athletes are already somewhere else mentally. Alex is present. Genuinely, noticeably present.
He spoke about this directly when we asked about attitude and friendliness off the court:
"To me, life is all about human connection. Mental toughness and content of character are just as important as your talent and acumen on the court."
And when we asked what advice he would give to young players dreaming of a future in pickleball:
"Don't be a jerk. Work hard. Be respectful to everyone you meet along your journey. No one wants to cheer for someone who treats others with disrespect."
Simple. Direct. True. The kind of advice that sounds obvious until you realize how rarely it's actually followed.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
What Pickleball Has Taught Him About Life
Alex is clear that pickleball has given him far more than a sport to compete in. It has given him a lens through which to see everything else.
"Pickleball has caught me in a plethora of things. More than anything it has reminded me that your window is never fully closed. Life happens, opportunities come and go, but you never know when all of your hard work and good faith will pay off."
That perspective — patient, grounded, grateful — is rare in elite sport. It speaks to someone who has learned to trust the process not as a cliché, but as a lived truth.
What's Next: Dream Courts and Big Ambitions
When we asked about tournaments or locations still on his bucket list, Alex didn't overthink it:
"Any dream events in sight? I love traveling and am eager to play at every PPA stop around this great country. I am particularly excited to play in San Clemente. I am obsessed with Lifetime as a brand and have heard that this facility is truly in a league of its own."
The hunger is real. And so is the vision. Alex Crum is not a player coasting on talent — he is a player actively building something. A career. A legacy. A community around a sport he genuinely loves.
A Shared Circle
We are also proud to share that Alex and DINK Authority Magazine share a mutual friend: the beautiful and talented Lorena Duknic, our previous cover star. She spoke of Alex with the same admiration we now feel after witnessing his talent and character up close.
That kind of connection — where great people consistently surround themselves with other great people — is never an accident. It is a reflection of who Alex Crum truly is.
Final Word
As pickleball continues its rise into a global movement, it will be shaped by the players who bring not just skill, but soul. Players who compete with fire and connect with kindness. Players who understand that the sport is bigger than any one result, any one tournament, any one moment.
Alex Crum is one of those players.
Thank you, Alex, for being part of this edition — and for showing the world that true champions shine just as brightly off the court.
Keep the passion alive. Keep the game strong.
"See you on the next edition."
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