The rise of pickleball has created new communities across the country, but in Franklin, Tennessee, the sport has become a true neighborhood identity. Few players represent that better than Scott Davis, one of the everyday athletes to help test and refine the XRZ™ Pickleball Shoe.
Today, his feedback, experience, and hours on court are helping shape one of the most talked-about new shoes in modern pickleball.
A Lifetime of Tennis Meets a New Passion
Scott spent more than 50 years in tennis: Junior circuits, college tennis, and decades of competitive play. But after a long battle with a shoulder injury, the overhead-heavy demands of tennis finally pushed him to try something new.
Pickleball filled that space immediately.
After moving from Nashville to Franklin in 2022, Scott landed in Westhaven, a massive neighborhood with a thriving pickleball scene:
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6 dedicated courts, soon expanding to 12
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600+ active players
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Organized ladders, leagues, and rec play daily
“I haven’t hit a tennis ball in over two and a half years,” he said. “Pickleball just took over.”
Now he plays three to four times a week, year-round, outdoors, and surrounded by a community that spans every age and skill level.
Where Community Meets Competition
Scott’s neighborhood has created the kind of environment brands dream of learning from: consistent players, established pairings, and a rhythm of real matches that tell the truth about a shoe.
“Pretty much everyone I know in the neighborhood, I know because of pickleball,” he said. “You see the same players every day, you get to know them, you get better together. It’s a community.”
It’s that community, and Scott’s steady presence on court, that made him the perfect candidate for testing of the XRZ™.
Becoming an XRZ™ Tester
Scott discovered SQAIRZ through Zane Navratil, following his posts on social media. When Zane announced that SQAIRZ was searching for everyday players to test the new XRZ™ Pickleball Shoe, Scott applied immediately.
He was selected.
Over the next several weeks, Scott logged hours on court wearing the XRZ™ during ladders, rec play, and competitive matches across Franklin.
The XRZ™: What Scott Noticed
The XRZ™ is SQAIRZ’s first pickleball shoe. It was engineered specifically for pickleball footwork: quick starts, compressed steps, short bursts, kitchen-line pressure, and constant side-to-side motion.
Scott experienced each part of the design firsthand.
1. Roomier Toe Box Built for Lateral Movement
The patented roomier toe box brings shape, structure, and functional geometry to motion patterns unique to pickleball.
Players push hard off the big toe during dinks, slides, counters, and recovery steps. By giving the forefoot more room for natural toe splay, the XRZ™ helps the foot anchor more effectively and increases ground connection.
Beyond the performance benefit, Scott noticed something players rarely articulate:
“The squared-off shape gives you confidence at the kitchen line. You always know exactly where your toe ends.”
That detail matters: a subtle but meaningful advantage during tight, fast exchanges.
2. Stability Designed for Modern Pickleball
Pickleball demands a different kind of stability than tennis.
The XRZ™ uses:
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A reinforced midfoot frame
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Targeted outrigger support
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A heel construction engineered to reduce wobble during lateral stops
Scott described the stability simply and confidently:
“I always felt planted. As I moved laterally, the shoe kept me balanced and secure.”
For a former tennis player trained to read stability intuitively, that validation speaks volumes.
3. Outsole Grip That Matches Pickleball Patterns
The XRZ™ outsole uses multi-directional herringbone designed around real pickleball movement.
Scott’s experience aligned with the intention:
smooth acceleration, strong braking, and confidence during soft hands at the kitchen.
4. Durability Where Players Really Need It
One reason Scott cycled through so many pickleball shoes in the past, ASICS, Babolat, Diadora, and others was uneven wear.
Pickleball often destroys the big-toe edge of traditional shoes.The XRZ™ spreads that load more evenly. Scott noticed it not just in how the shoe felt, but in how it looked after dozens of hours on court.
Even wear patterns are the sign of a shoe working with the foot.
“Pickleball is an inexpensive sport overall. I don’t mind spending money on gear that helps me play better.”
He’s exactly the type of athlete shoes like the XRZ™ are built for: someone who knows what performance feels like and plays often enough to notice the details that matter.
Scott Davis: A Neighbor, Competitor, and Key Piece of the XRZ™ Story
Scott didn’t plan to influence the future of pickleball footwear. But the consistency of his play, the quality of his insights, and his immersion in a thriving pickleball community made him a valuable voice for the XRZ™.
He helped us understand how the shoe performs where it matters most, on real outdoor courts, during real matches, with real players pushing each other to get better.
This spotlight is part of our commitment to everyday athletes like Scott, who are shaping the future of SQAIRZ Pickleball one session at a time.