When a Pickleball Match Ends Violently, This Player Responds with Grace
Last Edited
Nov 21 2024
Category
News
Maybe this is why some rec players say they'll never play in a pickleball tournament.
While our sport is known for camaraderie, inclusiveness, and sportsmanship, an ugly incident marred a championship match this weekend during an advanced invitational tournament.
As Peter Shonk and his partner celebrated a hard-fought victory, what should have been a moment of mutual respect turned into a shocking display violence.
The point ends. Peter's team wins. Peter lets out a victorious shout.
Then, while tapping paddles with the opposing team, Peter apparently struck one of the loser's paddle a little too hard and it fell out of his hand.
We got in touch with Peter to hear about what happened next from his perspective.
“I was just fired up after the win. I went to tap his paddle, and it fell out of his hand. I immediately bent to pick it up [for him]—no bad intentions—but what happened next shocked everyone.”
The unidentified opponent’s reaction was swift and clearly rage-induced: he kicks Peter square in the head while he's bending down to pick up the paddle.
The outburst left Peter unconscious for three hours with memory loss, requiring a hospital visit.
Despite this, Peter has chosen not to press charges, displaying remarkable grace.
“I have a family, two healthy businesses, and I play pickleball for recreation and challenge. I don’t have time to waste with this guy,” Peter said, showcasing the character that pickleball stands for.
This incident has sparked widespread discussion in the pickleball community about the need for stricter regulations and penalties for unsportsmanlike behavior. However, Peter’s ability to rise above sets a powerful example.
Read Next: The Scariest Things Pickleball Players Have Seen on the Court
His poise reminds us of what pickleball truly represents—even in its most trying moments.
Just like the best pickleball players, Peter seems pretty graceful and composed in his response to the incident.
Don’t Miss: Kitchen Head Chef Jared Paul broke all of this down on the Southern Pickleball Podcast here (they helped us produce our TKO Atlanta tournament).
UPDATE 11/20/24: We've obtained more footage of the points leading up to this incident:
Join Pickleball’s Greatest Community
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter to be the most well-informed pickleball fan on the court, featuring news, giveaways, and much more!
