Playing Through The Pain: Junior Star Ella Evans Honors Late Father With Inspiring Run
Source: Pickleball.com
In a sport that often celebrates grit and determination, few stories on the Junior PPA circuit have been as moving—or as inspiring—as that of Ella Evans, a rising 10-year-old pickleball star who continues to compete at the highest level in the face of profound personal loss.
Earlier this year, Ella’s life changed forever. In February, her father, Jake Evans, passed away at the age of 57 following a long health battle. A devoted supporter of her athletic journey, he had been a constant presence both courtside and at home.
Many in her shoes might have stepped away from the game, opting to grieve in private. But not Ella. Instead, she’s chosen to carry on in his memory—playing with more fire, more purpose, and more heart than ever before.
“He was just the greatest father I could ask for,” Ella shared in a recent interview with Queen City News. “Even though his loss hurt me, that just encouraged me to get better and better and tell myself that he’s cheering for me every single tournament.”
That emotional anchor has not slowed her down. In fact, it’s powered her forward.
At the recent Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships, Evans captured gold in Girls 12U gender doubles—a triumph not just of talent, but of mental resilience. Currently, she holds top-tier rankings across the board: No. 2 in girls’ doubles, No. 4 in singles, and No. 8 in mixed doubles in the 12U division.
A Competitor With Unshakable Focus
Ella’s coach, Wynn Johnson, has had a front-row seat to her growth. And while he’s long been impressed by her athleticism, her ability to channel pain into performance has taken his respect to a new level.
“A lot of people—especially young kids—would break under that kind of emotional weight,” Johnson said. “But Ella has used it as a tool to play with even more determination. She’s competing for something bigger than just herself.”
On court, that edge is tangible.
“Once I get pretty hype, I just get so powerful,” Evans explained. “And then once I get powerful, I’m like winning, winning, winning, winning. It probably just started at the NC tournament. At NC, I was just playing like a baller.”
Her mother, Monica Evans, has also been by her side every step of the way. She still remembers the first time she saw her daughter step into her own on the court.
“When she stepped on the court and she’s so fierce, it was just like, ‘Oh my goodness. Who is this little girl? Where did she come from?’”
Coach Johnson echoes that sentiment—and sees it consistently during practice.
“She is an absolute dawg out there,” he said. “She doesn’t lose her focus. She really wants to win.”
Inspiring The Next Generation
The Evans family’s love for pickleball doesn’t end with tournaments and training. Together, Ella and Monica recently launched The Junior Spin—a magazine aimed at young pickleball athletes like Ella herself.
Their goal? To bring more visibility, energy, and inspiration to the next wave of players coming up through the junior ranks.
“I would love just to inspire the other juniors in pickleball,” Ella said. “Every single time you play pickleball, it makes you feel good.”
More Than A Game
For Ella Evans, pickleball is more than just a sport. It’s become a sanctuary, a motivator, and a way to stay connected with the memory of her father.
Her story reminds us all that greatness doesn’t just come from skill or strategy—it comes from heart. And in Ella’s case, that heart beats loudest in the quiet moments before a serve, in the battles at the kitchen line, and in every match she plays to make her dad proud.
