What counts most when playing pickleball - the role of character in play?

The late John Wooden once said, “Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” Furthermore it is said of my own inspirational athletic hero Eric Liddell that he  "believed that to win was to honor God only if he did it in a way that affirmed God’s design and desire".   A story from Eric's life captured in the movie "Chariots of Fire" portrays the following: 
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 " On the morning of the 40-meter race, as he (Liddell) left his hotel that morning, a British masseur pressed a folded piece of paper into his hand. Liddell thanked the man for it and said he would read the message later. In his dressing room at the stadium, Liddell unfolded the note and read the following: “It says in the Old Book, Him that honors me, I will honor, Wishing you the best of success always.”

One simple way I find to honor God while I play pickleball is to remain positive in my remarks by acknowledging the good play of my doubles partner ...and my opponent's play ....consistent with what the Bible says about what our words to others should be:

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 New International Version (NIV)

So next time you play pickleball, trying building up others with your words.  It is contagious!  

For more on this topic and from where the above thoughts are taken from, I suggest you read "Competition Isn’t Unchristian—but Motive Matters by Hugh Whelchel January 29, 2018 found at:   https://tifwe.org/competition-unchristian-motive-matters/?mc_cid=d44a468136&mc_eid=f97b2c1bad​