Mother’s Day holds a special place in our hearts at Doubletake. Tennis and pickleball connect generations—mothers, grandmothers and children—bonding us through the love of the game. As a women-owned and led business, we celebrate the powerful intersections of motherhood, family, business, and sports.
In honor of Mother’s Day, I had the privilege of speaking with former tennis pro and Pickleball Hall of Famer Jennifer Dawson, a Doubletake Brand Ambassador. She shared her thoughts on balancing life as an elite athlete, mother, and daughter—a challenge she navigates with the same grace and confidence she brings to the court. In our conversation, Jennifer reflected on the early influences that shaped her athletic journey, starting with her mother’s role in introducing her to the sport.
Meaghan: You grew up playing tennis—was that your mom’s idea? Was your mom a tennis player, or did she just have a vision for you to play tennis?
Jennifer: Actually, nobody in our family played tennis at that time [Dawson’s family moved from South Korea to Los Angeles when she was a child.] Our neighbor had a tennis court in his backyard, but it was overgrown. So, my dad walked over and said, ‘Hey if we clean up the court, could we use it?’ Our neighbor said, ‘Sure!’ My parents hired a pro to give my family lessons once the court was ready. I was seven and my sister was nine. Later, when we moved to San Diego, we found a pro there and I continued to play junior tennis.
Did your mom also continue playing tennis?
Yes. She ended up being a really good player, but she was a little unorthodox in her style. She played in all the tennis leagues. We did mother-daughter tournaments, starting in the early 1980s. We won the La Jolla Tennis Championships Mother-Daughter Trophy nine years straight.
How did you two get along on court?
We got along well, which isn’t always the case [laughter]. Mother-daughter tournaments are great fun. We didn’t do matching outfits, but I wish we had.
Did one of you take the lead on court?
We had a game plan that we always played by. My mom is really good at volleys. She’s super aggressive and likes to poach a lot. She would always serve and volley and get up to the net. People tended to ‘pick on her,’ since I was the stronger player. If we were both up or both back, they would hit every ball to her. So, I stayed back and she played really close to the net. If they hit to her, she would put it away. Our opponents had to hit more balls to me!
I think I’m going to try that strategy next time I play mixed doubles! Do you and your mom play pickleball together?
Not really, but we do like to play for fun at family gatherings—birthdays, holidays, and yes, Mother’s Day! She plays five or six days a week with her own group, so I do get to see her at the club. [Dawson and her husband Steve own and operate the Bobby Riggs Racket and Paddle Club in Encinitas, California.]
Your son Callan is on the pro pickleball tour. Do you play with him?
We don’t play together all that often, but we are going to play in the US Open Pickleball Championships at the end of August. It’s one of the biggest tournaments of the year. We’ll be playing in the Split Age Mixed Division, which means teams composed of a pro who’s over 50 and a pro who’s under 50. Last year we did pretty well. I think we took fifth place.
Do you have sights on the podium this time?
We would like to get there, for sure. I think we have a chance to do well. But usually the stronger teams are the ones who have the female as the young pro and the senior is the male pro, especially if the man is a ‘young,’ fit 50-year-old.
But you’re going to prove them all wrong, right?
That’s right! [laughing]
Your younger son Tyler is an athlete too. Can you tell us about the sports your sons played growing up?
We tried to get Callan into tennis when he was about five years old, but he was so social. If he sensed people were talking and having fun somewhere, he wanted off the court. It’s no surprise that he gravitated toward team sports. Early on, he played baseball and Pop Warner football. At age nine, he started playing travel baseball. He was recruited to play D1 baseball and continued to play through college.
My younger son Tyler played football until tenth grade. He was very good at football, the defensive captain, but he decided he wasn’t going to be ‘big’ enough for football and that it didn’t really make sense to pursue it. I said, ‘what are you talking about? You’re really good!’ But he decided to play tennis and join the track team. In hindsight, he made the right move because he’s a doctor now and avoided serious injury. He’s finishing up his residency in family medicine and plans to work for the Veterans Administration.
Left: Jennifer with her sister, Nan, and their mom, YoungRight: Jennifer’s two sons, Callan and Tyler
Sounds like you didn’t push or insist on tennis?
We didn’t. My husband and I were both scholarship athletes for tennis. We thought it was fun that the kids were doing other sports. We’d been around tennis all our lives. It was exciting to get involved in new sports, to do something different.
When did your sons discover pickleball? Did you start playing the game as a family?
We all started playing at the same time, when we brought pickleball to our tennis club.
Did you sense early on that Callan had a natural talent for pickleball?
Callan was really good right away. He has super-fast hands and great dinks. Plus, he has the mind for it. Being an athlete all his life, his strongest asset is his mental approach. He doesn’t get nervous. He plays better when the pressure is on.
Any sibling rivalry?
No, they get along great. They have played pickleball tournaments together. Their personalities are totally different. Callan is very chill, more outgoing. Tyler is a little bit more reserved. Callan has phenomenally soft hands, good control, can hit the ball anywhere, and is very consistent. Tyler is super aggressive, with big groundstrokes from playing tennis. Different skill sets, but they totally complement each other. They were finalists in the Tournament of Champions which is a huge tournament, and they won the California State Games twice.
Must have been fun as a mom to see them together!
It was!
Do you have any advice for ‘sports moms?’ What’s the best way to parent aspiring athletes?
Number one, you must support and encourage them, no matter how they are doing. Also, while it’s important to let them know that they have to keep pushing and working hard, you can’t be overbearing. There is a fine line—you don’t want to be ‘that’ parent. The thing is, it must be their choice, not yours. They have to want to do it.
Sounds like you let your children find their own way, in sports and life.
Absolutely. We were there to support them no matter what they decided to do. We let them choose their own paths.
There are challenges in being a professional athlete and a mother. We’re happy to see more women returning to the tennis tour after having a baby. What are your thoughts?
I think it’s wonderful if players can do it, more power to them. But it is difficult. Once you have a child, you have a distraction, it’s not 100% about you and your training. You have another human being to take care of. Your mind is always going to be ‘over there.’ It’s tough. I played for about a year on tour and then had Callan. After six months I went back out on the tour, because that’s how long you could keep your ranking, but I definitely felt I wasn’t in the shape I was supposed to be in. If players can do it, it’s phenomenal. I’m glad to hear the WTA is making some changes to be more supportive of new moms.
Yes, the WTA has made some changes, offering—longer maternity leaves and financial support. Makes sense, as there are now about 20 moms on the tour.
Well, tennis is very physically demanding, so it’s great to see there’s a new understanding of athlete moms
Maybe some of the moms on the tennis tour will make the switch to professional pickleball!?
Maybe! It is easier to come back to pickleball which isn’t as hard on your body.
So, while we’re on the subject of pickleball and moms, do you have any Mother’s Day traditions?
We typically go for a walk with the dogs and play pickleball. Pickleball has really enhanced our lives. It’s great having that in common with my mom, my kids, my sister, my sister-in-law. It brings us closer together. We have a bond, and everyone understands each other. Pickleball is a professional sport, but it’s also a great game for families. It’s easy to just get out there and play with all different levels. The court is so much smaller than in tennis, and you can have fun and joke around.
Thank you, Jennifer! Laughter and pickleball—sounds like a great way to spend Mother’s Day!
