What It Takes to Go Pro: Lessons from Parris Todd & Hayden Patriquin
Sureena Shree ChandrasekarWhen fans watch pros like Parris Todd and Hayden Patriquin dominate courts, the power, finesse, and confidence seem to come naturally. But behind that public shine is a story of discipline, mindset, sacrifice and habits that set them apart. If you’re a junior player or striving to get to that next level, here’s what these pros say it takes. Here are some takeaways that could be your advantage at this weekend's PPA Kuala Lumpur!
Early Start, Steady Grind
Hayden began playing seriously at just 13. In about five years, he has risen to become one of the sport’s top names, a reminder that starting young gives you runway to grow. As the pros discussed during their recent stop in Malaysia, skill isn’t just from talent, it’s built by training against better players, losing a lot, and learning from those losses.
“You need to lose a lot and see different variations of the ball … try really hard and show up every day for it.”
Mental Game: Taking It One Round at a Time
High-level performance isn’t just physical, it’s mental. Parris emphasized “low stress” as a key approach. Instead of fixating on finals or outcomes, focusing on each match, each shot, each warm-up helps keep nerves in check.
Pre-match rituals, warmups, dynamic stretching, even small mental habits like listening to certain music or warming up with your partner, these all contribute to how calm (or flustered) you feel when the pressure builds.
Support, Sacrifice & Consistency
No pro makes it alone. According to Parris and Hayden:
- Family support plays a major role. Parents making sacrifices financially and otherwise to enable travel, training, and time off for tournaments.
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Consistency matters on days when you don’t feel like training, on days when results suck. Showing up matters as much, or even more, than raw skill.
Equipment & Partnerships
Another piece sometimes overlooked: the gear and brand relationships. Parris shared how her signature paddles with Franklin were more than just marketing—they reflect her style, her identity, and how she wants women players to feel represented. Hayden discussed how finding paddles that balance power and control, and having supportive sponsorships, helped him focus more on improvement than logistics.
For Players Looking Up
If you’re a young or aspiring player, here are actionable takeaways based on what the pros shared:
- Start early if you can. But even if you’re older, consistent practice and competing matter.
- Play up. Face opponents who are better, it exposes weaknesses and forces adaptation.
- Build a mental checklist: warm-up routines, stretching, rest, diet, not perfection, but consistency.
- Lean on community: train with others, get feedback, have a partner.
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Accept losses as part of progress. It’s not enough to win; learning from losses is what builds you.
