Jack Munro: The "APP King," Artificial Ambidexterity & The Youngest 5.0 In History

Jack Munro is a force of nature. Dominating the APP tour in 2025, he and his partner clinched seven gold medals, setting a new record for most consecutive wins in APP history. But his impact isn't just on the podium; he's one of the sport's biggest creators, reaching over 10 million people a month with game-changing content.

Fresh off his historic run, Jack joins Rick to discuss his unique path: from a baseball-ending injury at age 10 to becoming the youngest 5.0 player in history at 12. He shares the powerful, emotional story of his APP Daytona win, playing for his grandpa in his final hours.

From his "artificial ambidexterity" and signature two-handed backhand to his decision to build a future with the APP tour and his groundbreaking work founding the Longhorn Pickleball Club at UT Austin, this episode is a masterclass in building a multifaceted career. Behind the creator is a fierce competitor with an old soul, a deep appreciation for the sport, and a vision for its future.

 

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. An Accidental Ambidextrous Player: Jack's unique ambidextrous ability wasn't planned. After a baseball pitching injury at age 10, he wore a sling on his dominant (right) arm for months. He started playing pickleball left-handed during his recovery and, by the time he healed, felt so natural with his left that he developed both sides, coining the term "artificial ambidexterity."

2. The "Old Soul" of Pickleball: Becoming the youngest-ever 5.0 player at 12 meant Jack grew up playing almost exclusively with adults. He says this social friction was tougher than the competition and is the reason many people call him an "old soul" today.

3. Why He Chose the APP Tour: Jack is "fully leaning in" with the APP. He values the quality of life, loyalty, and, most importantly, the international opportunities provided by the APP's Global Alliance, which allows him to play in places like Vietnam and India—something he couldn't do under an exclusive PPA contract.

4. The Secret to His Signature Shot: Jack breaks down his lethal two-handed backhand speedup. The secret? He aims for the "dead spot" (the top edge) of the paddle, not the sweet spot. He says this gives the ball more dwell time and spin. His other signature shot is switching hands to hit a forehand ATP instead of a much more difficult backhand ATP.

5. Playing for Family: Jack's most important win wasn't his first breakout but the 2025 APP Daytona. He played the entire weekend while his grandfather (also named Jack) was nonverbal in the ICU, watching the stream. Jack won two gold medals on Sunday, FaceTimed his smiling grandpa, and learned the next morning that he had passed away peacefully in his sleep.

6. Building the Future: Jack is building the collegiate pickleball pipeline himself. He founded the Longhorn Pickleball Club at UT Austin, which won the DUPR Collegiate National Championships. He sees a strong NCAA-to-pro pipeline as essential for the sport's future.

ADD US ON:
INSTAGRAM:   / https://www.instagram.com/thisispickleballpodcast/

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome: Jack Munro, The 12-Year-Old Prodigy 
01:07 How a Broken Arm Forced Him to Play Lefty 
02:37 The Reality of Being a Child Prodigy on Tour 
03:52 The "Old Soul": Growing Up in an Adult Sport 
07:07 Defining a "Pro" & The Global Alliance 
11:01 Founding the Longhorn Pickleball Club (NCAA Pipeline) 
17:17 Jack's Signature Shot: The Two-Handed Backhand Speedup 
20:09 The Daytona Story: Playing for His Grandfather 
27:16 International Growth: Vietnam, India & The World Cup 
30:35 Final Thoughts & Socials