From courts built with his grandfather to world No. 2
Tardio was introduced to pickleball at 14 by his grandfather in Bolivia. They built two courts together, and after Tardio moved to the United States he played every day after school. That family beginning followed a strong junior-tennis foundation: Major League Pickleball identifies him as a former top-10 under-14 tennis player in Bolivia.
His doubles game has helped expand the traditional right-side role. Tardio combines patient positioning with forehand attacks, off-the-bounce speedups, quick counters and movement into the middle, allowing him to create offense alongside some of the sport’s most accomplished left-side partners.
What makes Gabe Tardio’s right-side game different?
Tardio is not limited to a defensive support role. His forehand attacks, off-the-bounce speedups, counters and middle movement let him initiate offense while maintaining the patience elite doubles requires.