Follow us on Google Discover Jack Sock made a drastic career change in 2023, which shocked the tennis world.
After struggling with injuries for several years, Sock retired from tennis upon the conclusion of the 2023 US Open.
Soon after, he joined the professional pickleball tour, becoming one of the first former tennis pros to do so.
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He has enjoyed success in the sport and is currently ranked sixth in the world in singles.
But does he regret his decision to swap tennis for pickleball?
Jack Sock has ‘some regrets’ over retiring from tennis to play pickleball
During a recent interview, Sock explained why he decided to retire from tennis at the age of 30.
“Retiring from tennis had a lot to do with becoming a father,” he said.
“That was a huge part of the decision to stop playing. I knew once I became a dad, I wanted to be very present and be around as much as possible, and obviously, with tennis, as people know, the schedule is insane, you’re travelling all year long.”
Sock was then asked if he regrets his decision to retire from tennis at such a young age.
“It’s weird putting your entire life into something and all the hours and time, and then it just being over,” he said.
“There are some regrets for sure, I wish I had played a little bit longer.”
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images for LTA
Now age 33, Sock is one of the best pickleball players in the world and has big goals for the future.
“I think I’m more of a realist; I didn’t have unrealistic expectations at all,” he said.
“But now, a year in, I feel a lot more confident going forward.”
Sock is currently playing in the Rate Vegas Cup event, where he has advanced to the round of 16.
The 2025 Pickleball World Championships are scheduled to begin on Monday, November 3.
Playing at the Olympic Games was an ‘out-of-body experience’ – Jack Sock
Sock won several big titles during his tennis career, enjoying success in both singles and doubles.
2011 US Open (Mixed doubles)2014 Wimbledon (Doubles)2015 Indian Wells (Doubles)2016 Shanghai Masters (Doubles)2017 Paris Masters (Singles)2018 Indian Wells (Doubles)2018 Wimbledon (Doubles)2018 US Open (Doubles)2018 ATP Finals (Doubles)2022 Indian Wells (Doubles)2022 Laver Cup (Singles/Doubles)
However, when reflecting on his career, none of the above titles gave him as much pride as representing his country at the 2016 Olympics.
“For me, the Olympic was probably the most surreal moment for me. The whole team flies from Houston down to Rio, we get there and everything just hits, it doesn’t even feel like real life,” said Sock.
“Opening ceremony, I think, was the most surreal moment of my life.
“We’re walking in, the whole tennis squad was obviously in a group, right behind us was the NBA team, so it’s like [Kevin] Durant and [Russel] Westbrook, and all these people right behind us.
“It’s like a video game, the people in the stands, they look fake and animated. That’s honestly what they look like when you’re walking out.”
Sock won gold in the mixed doubles alongside Bethanie Mattek-Sands and bronze in the doubles with his close friend Steve Johnson.
Photo credit should read LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images
“Standing on the podium and listening to the national anthem while they put the medals around me was the favorite moment, probably of my life,” he said.
“Just hearing the national anthem and representing your country.
“And then, me and Stevie [Johnson] were able to get bronze in men’s doubles; it was a weird, surreal, out-of-body experience, to be honest.”
Sock was the only player to win multiple medals in tennis at the 2016 Olympics, but didn’t return to compete in Tokyo five years later.