Known for his lightning-fast hands and unflagging energy, Sparta Pro Cade Edwards has intensified his pro training since earning a Selkirk contract following the first pickleball combine in fall 2025.
Originally from Richland, Washington, Edwards relocated to Austin, Texas, to be closer to the pro training scene. Ahead of the 2026 Spring Combine, Edwards shared his tips for success.
The Combine Experience
Looking back at the Combine, what was the most challenging part of the advanced performance testing? Why?
The reaction drill. I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out how to hit the buttons so they would activate every time. Thankfully, I figured it out on my last try to save myself from looking completely uncoordinated.
Was there a specific metric or piece of feedback from the Combine that surprised you about your own athleticism?
I was happy with my medicine ball throw; it was by far my best performance. I also learned from the coaches that throughout the athletic testing, I looked completely exhausted at all times, but I never slowed down, which earned me the semi-flattering nickname “Diesel.”
Why would you encourage other emerging pros to apply for future Sparta Combines?
The Sparta Combine could be the break you need to start your pro career. It gave me the opportunity to pursue pickleball full-time! What makes it different from a standard sponsorship is the level of support. Selkirk is an incredible company backed by people who genuinely care about their athletes and are fully invested in helping you succeed.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to an athlete who is currently grinding in the early draws and wants to reach the Sparta level of performance?
Every match is a learning experience, and you have to be intentional with your training. Everyone at a high level can hit the ball well, but what sets people apart is decision-making.
What I personally do, and recommend, is recording your matches and watching them back after each one to identify your mistakes, because it is too difficult to track that in the heat of a match.
Cade's court notes
You are known for having lightning hands. Do you prefer to initiate the speed-up, or do you find more success baiting your opponents into attacking you first?
I prefer to play bait balls, especially when I am controlling the point so that the speed up from my opponent is more predictable.
How much scouting goes into your game, and how quickly can you pivot your strategy mid-match if your Plan A isn't working?
I do enough scouting before matches to give me a good idea of the strategy I want to kick the game off with. If that plan isn’t working, then I assess what has been working and change the things that aren’t right away.
Since joining the Sparta program, how has your off-court preparation (film study, recovery, nutrition) changed the way you perform during those long tournament weekends?
Since joining the Sparta Program, I’ve been able to do all the things I once struggled to fit into a day. I make it a priority each day to wake up with some form of cardio followed by drilling or playing, and then I finish the day with recovery. All of this preparation makes long tournament days much easier to get through and recover from.
You’ve seen the grind of the tour firsthand. What would you tell an athlete who is discouraged by a few early-round losses about the importance of the Sparta support system?
Having Sparta resources available makes it much easier to move on from losses, learn, and make a quick turnaround, giving yourself a better chance of success at the next tournament.
You need a paddle that can keep up with your hand speed. How has your Selkirk setup helped you win those high-speed hand battles in the kitchen?
I’ve been using the SLK ERA Power ever since I moved on from the Power Air, and it is much more forgiving. It makes hand battles easier, even when I don’t hit the center of the paddle.
Fast facts
Short, fun answers only!
-
Your "go-to" warm-up song: "Payphone" by Maroon 5
-
Most surprising item in your bag: Xbox controller
-
Post-tournament cheat meal: Chick-fil-A spicy deluxe sandwich meal, can’t forget the large Diet Coke!
-
Favorite recovery method: Taking a nap in a massage chair
-
If you weren’t a pro pickleballer, what would your dream job be?: Pro gamer
-
One word to describe the Sparta Program: Radical
