Fresh-picked: Orlando Squeeze pickleball team chooses head coach

ORLANDO, Fla. — A new Orlando pickleball team has selected its first head coach this week.

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The team said Julio Rivera, a certified tennis and pickleball instructor, will be the head coach for the Orlando Squeeze.

Read: Fresh squeeze on sports: New pickleball team comes to Orlando

According to a release, Rivera played tennis professionally in New York before moving to Los Angeles. He said he is excited to be a part of the sports community in Orlando.

“I have been having a lot of interaction with the team, and we are ready to be a force in Major League Pickleball this season,” Rivera said. “We promise to give it our all and be a proud representation of Orlando pro sports.”

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Fresh-picked: Orlando Squeeze pickleball team chooses head coach The team said Julio Rivera, a certified tennis and pickleball instructor, will be the head coach for the Orlando Squeeze. (Major League Pickleball /Major League Pickleball)

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Major League Pickleball announced the addition of the team earlier this month. Ryan DeVos, vice president of the Orlando Magic, owns the Orlando Squeeze.

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The team also celebrated winning its first two matches in the 2023 Major League Pickleball season, which started on Jan. 26.

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