Hannah Rose Nussbaum: The Sultan or Shake & Bake

On a mission to make Northeast pickleball the best scene in the game.

Some players ease into pickleball. Hannah Rose Nussbaum launched herself into it. With a background in college basketball and competitive tennis, she thrived in fast-paced, high-intensity sports. When an injury forced her off the basketball court, she set out in search of a new way to compete—and found it in pickleball.

What started as a spontaneous pickup game quickly became an obsession. One tournament later, she was hooked, diving into high-level play, coaching, and talent development. That first event wasn’t just her debut—it introduced her to pickleball mentor Jen Wang and future pickle roll dog and Angie Henricks. The connections she made and the energy of the sport turned a casual game into a full-blown career.

But Hannah didn’t just play pickleball—she built it. Alongside Jen, she launched Powerhouse Pickleball, running outdoor coaching clinics before indoor facilities even existed. When Bounce Pickleball Club opened, she became the first to run clinics, later developing the 4.0 and 4.5 evaluation process and designing advanced player development programs. Her mission? To make Bounce the training hub for the region’s top players.

Her playing style blends power, strategy, and relentless drive. Known for her signature shake-and-bake, she’s modeled her aggressive game after the sport’s best, including Anna Leigh Waters.

Whether coaching, competing, or leading elite training, Hannah Nussbaum is all about one thing—grit, grind, and growing the game. And she’s not just shaping her own career—she’s helping build the future of Northeast pickleball.

---

Titles/Roles

Certified Coach at Bounce Pickleball Club, Pro Player 

Location

Berwyn, PA

How did you get into pickleball? What drew you to the sport?

"I played basketball in college and tennis competitively, so I’ve always loved fast-paced sports. But after a career-ending injury, I was playing rec games with the guys. One day, the courts were taken over by pickleball players. They handed me a paddle, and I gave it a shot. I just wanted to smack everything—it was so fun. I signed up for my first tournament at Green Valley on a whim, that’s where I met my ‘pickleball mom’ Jen Wang and first saw Angie (Henricks) play. That first tournament changed everything. I remember watching Angie play and being like, ‘I want to play like that.’ Now, we’re great friends and play together all the time. I was hooked, and never looked back."

What’s been the most defining moment in your pickleball journey so far?

"Jen Wang calling me up and getting me out of my house to play during the pandemic. We played at Upper Dublin Park and wore masks while playing for like a year. Jen took me under her wing and we played tourney’s together for about a year. Pickleball was and is life. 

What inspired your shift from being a pickleball player to building a career in the industry?

“Jen and I started Powerhouse Pickleball to do outside coaching before facilities. We held clinics at The Grange and Paddock Paddock Park in Havertown. I started a facebook group for beginners. Then, when Bounce opened, I was the first person to hold clinics. Bounce brought me on in 2023, and since then, I wrote the 4.0 and 4.5 evaluation process and helped build advanced programming and a higher-level player pipeline. We want Bounce to be the place where people come to play and train.”  

What do you think makes the Northeast pickleball scene unique?

"We’re dedicated. Before there were indoor facilities, we played outside in brutal weather. We had to really love it because it wasn’t easy. We’ll drive anywhere for the best games—we’re always on the hunt to improve."

What’s one thing you’d love to see change or improve in pickleball?

"At the highest levels, there’s unnecessary drama. You get to a point where you just want to play with people who are good and nice. There are so many talented players—we could do without the politics. 

Also, more clarity on paddle regulations. The constant back-and-forth from governing bodies makes it tough when you invest time and money into a paddle, only for the rules to change."

Who inspires you in the sport—past or present?

"Anna Leigh Waters—her shake-and-bake is legendary, my signature shot is crafted after hers. If I could play a dream women’s doubles match with any player—it would be Anna Leigh. She likes to play both sides and dominates, and seems like a very positive partner.  

And Catherine Parenteau’s one-handed backhand flick? Love it. 

Kristen Clemmer, too—she never loses. She was the first in our area to go full-time with pickleball, which made me feel comfortable taking it seriously myself."

What’s a misconception about pickleball you wish more people understood?

"That it’s just for old people or unathletic people. If you want, it can be just as competitive, rigorous, and strategic as any other sport. A lot of players compare it to chess."

If you had to describe your pickleball style in three words, what would they be?

"Roller coaster, wanna-be banger, mentalist. I was a banger, then played too soft, and now I’m trying to be a banger again."

What advice would you give to women looking to get into pickleball?

"Be a sponge. Ask questions, and seek out people you want to play with. Even if they don’t play with you, they might give you great recommendations for good players that will. And don’t have an ego—losing in practice is good. If you don’t lose, you’re not pushing yourself."

If pickleball had walkout songs, what would your anthem be?

Moneymaker - Ludacris ft. Pharrell or Lose Yourself - Eminem 

What’s the most hilarious or unexpected thing that’s happened to you on the court?

"I was playing doubles with Matt Meadows, and he hit himself in the face with his paddle—his tooth literally fell out. We stopped for a second, I picked it up, handed it to him, and we kept playing. It was so funny!"

What’s your signature shot or move that makes opponents nervous?

"Shake and bake. The bake part—when I run up."

What’s your favorite tournament?

"New York Open. Playing in those great arenas is amazing."

What’s always in your pickleball bag besides your paddle?

"Arm sleeve, deodorant, and a massage gun."

What’s your go-to pre-game snack or ritual?

"I’m still figuring that out, but lately, I need a full meal—eggs, hash browns, and sour patch gummies for a boost. A pro hockey client told me a lot of NBA and hockey players eat sour patch gummies too!"

---

The Female Pickleball Titans of the Northeast is a Lindsey Leigh Creative storytelling series celebrating the women who are shaping the future of the sport. 

Looking to amplify your brand with strategic storytelling? Let’s connect.