“About to turn 60 in 10 days,” Rob Tucker laughs, “and I’m playing pickleball six days a week.”
Rob lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, but grew up in Winston-Salem. Pickleball wasn’t always part of his plan. “My mother and my brother, they’ve been playing for years. Every time I heard them talk about it, I said, there’s no way. I am not doing that sport. It’s for old people.”
That all changed when he went to watch his brother compete in Macon, Georgia. “I just loved watching it. The next week, I went out to a court near my house with a starter set from Dick’s. I didn’t even know what I was doing—just practicing serves. But somebody giving a lesson noticed me, came over, and walked me through the basics. That was it.”
Six months later, Rob is playing or drilling nearly every day. “It’s become an obsession,” he admits.
Competition, Injuries, and the Footwear Search
Rob jumped into tournaments right away. “The first one, we got silver in mixed, and that was fun. Just did another and placed fourth in men’s doubles. I love the competition.”
Like many new players, he picked up a few aches along the way. “A shoulder twinge from hitting too hard with my tennis background. A hamstring pull. But nothing that’s kept me off the court.”
What did frustrate him? Shoes.
“I have wide feet. I broke seven bones in my right foot years ago, and they didn’t heal quite correctly. Finding shoes has always been a challenge. I went through everything—Ultras, Skechers, K-Swiss, Head. I bought multiple pairs, played in them, and they just didn’t work. They either hurt, or the toe box shape was all wrong. That’s not what your foot looks like.”
Discovering the XRZ™
Then he found SQAIRZ XRZ™.
“I stumbled upon them after another pair of shoes didn’t fit. I finally said, I’ve got to give them a try. I ordered them, put them on, and went, well, this is different. I turned to my wife and said, this is the first pair of shoes I’ve put on that didn’t hurt my foot.”
Rob also noticed performance changes.
“My first impression playing in them was that I didn’t even know they were on. My feet were comfortable, stable, and I moved better. I was getting to balls I wouldn’t have tried for before.”
And that’s exactly why the XRZ™ was built: to give players balance, stability, and comfort that unlock better movement on the court. “If something hurts, you make other modifications. But with these, I could move naturally. That’s the difference.”
Why Shoes Matter in Pickleball
Rob sees plenty of players still overlooking footwear. “I don’t think people pay attention to shoes. They’ll spend $300 on a paddle but won’t spend $150 on a pair of shoes—which is going to do a whole lot more for them than a paddle will.”
He’s right. Independent testing has proven the XRZ™ improves balance and stability, helping reduce injury risk while improving performance. For Rob, that’s been a game-changer.
Looking Ahead
Where does Rob’s pickleball journey go next?
“My goal is to get to the senior pro level and do some touring. I’m also starting a coaching certification program. Athletics has been part of my life—cycling, adventure racing, kickboxing, even precision shooting. Pickleball is the next chapter.”
And it’s one he plans to keep chasing. “It’s competitive, it’s social, it’s a mental escape. I’ve lost 14 pounds since I started. I travel for work and take my paddle with me everywhere. No matter where I go, the pickleball community is welcoming.”
His advice to anyone—especially older players—thinking about trying? “Take a lesson. Go watch. You’ll see the community is open and fun. But be careful,” he adds with a smile. “It’s addicting.”
Rob’s Take on the XRZ™
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“The first pair of shoes I put on that didn’t hurt my foot.”
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“I didn’t even know they were on—that’s the biggest compliment I can give.”
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“I moved better, more comfortably, and more stable. I was getting to balls I wouldn’t have tried for before.”
Want to play better pickleball like Rob? Step into the XRZ™.