The Rossetti Brothers, who are identical twins, coaches, and seasoned world-record setters, did what they somehow always do: they showed up to a clinic, “warmed up” by coaching, and then broke a pickleball world record on their very first attempt. It’s the same first-try magic they’ve pulled off before across multiple Guinness World Records, in both tennis and pickleball.

Their newest mark is now pending official Guinness World Records adjudication.

From a Basement Ping-Pong Table to a World-Record Mindset

For the Rossetti Brothers, it all started in the most old-school way possible:

“Our sports’ journey started in our grandfather’s basement who had built a ping-pong table, and every Sunday, we’d play hundreds of games,” said Angelo Rossetti. 

Before they could even reach the table, they were already problem-solving and competing:

“We couldn’t reach the top of the table, so we used to stand on milk crates,” added Ettore.

That early obsession with racket sports turned into tennis, tournaments, coaching and eventually a deeper purpose that would shape everything they do today.

Why Pickleball Became the Turning Point

Angelo described the “light bulb” moment that made pickleball feel different from tennis, not just in fun, but in accessibility. He explained why pickleball creates more “playable” competition across skill levels, and it even helps those tennis players at the early stages. 

“People of different ages and levels can play against each other and have more competitive matches.”

It also changed what was physically possible for him as a coach and player:

“In pickleball, the court is smaller. I could play pickleball all day… and it didn’t bother me.”

The “Twin Disguise” Tournament That Fooled Everyone

At Ettore Rossetti’s very first pickleball tournament, the brothers leaned fully into the fact that they’re identical twins and turned it into a strategic (and hilarious) advantage.

Both Angelo and Ettore showed up wearing matching black outfits and identical masks, carefully chosen to cover Ettore’s mustache, the one feature that usually gives them away. With the masks on, opponents had no idea who they were playing against, who had more experience, or who carried the higher DUPR rating.

“I got matching black masks… because without it, you can tell us apart because of my mustache,” Ettore shared.

The plan worked better than they could’ve imagined.

“We fooled so many people,” the brothers said.

The best part? The confusion was happening in real time, mid-match and during changeovers.

“We overheard people saying, ‘One of them is really good and I don’t know which one it is,’” Angelo recalled.

The Why Behind the Records: Purpose First

The Rossetti Brothers’ world-record journey didn’t begin as a publicity stunt. It began as a tribute.

Their tennis mentor, Scott Wilson, passed away from ALS at just 42 years old, and he was someone who believed in them early on and helped shape their path as players and coaches. The loss left a mark, and the brothers knew they wanted to honor him in a way that matched the impact he had on their lives.

“We came up with the idea to set a world record in his honor,” Angelo shared.

That idea turned into something few people would even attempt: a marathon tennis rally that pushed them far beyond normal limits.

“That’s what kept us going for 14 hours and 31 minutes.”

In 2008, Ettore and Angelo officially set a Guinness World Records title for the longest tennis rally, lasting 14 hours and 31 minutes and totaling 25,944 consecutive strokes, raising money for charities including Save the Children. The record took place over August 9–10, 2008, and marked the beginning of a much larger mission.

They didn’t stop there.

In 2015, the Rossetti Brothers set another Guinness World Records title, this time for the longest tennis volley rally, hitting 30,576 consecutive volleys in 5 hours and 28 minutes, once again raising funds for Save the Children.

For the Rossettis, the formula has never changed: Purpose comes first. The records follow.

Their Pickleball Records Carry a Deeper Story

They’ve now set multiple pickleball records, including one on World Mental Health Day:

“On World Mental Health Day… we did the longest pickleball rally in history… 16,046 shots.”

And then came an emotional turning point; one they didn’t understand until after the record:

“That was the very first world record that our mother wasn’t present.”

Soon after, they learned why:

“Unbeknownst to her and to us, she had stage four pancreatic cancer.”

That loss became the motivation behind another record done in her honor.

Breaking News: A New Record Set Live at a Pickleball Clinic

Here’s the exclusive piece DUPR was given during the interview:

At a clinic event, Pickleball America unveiled a framed Guinness World Records certificate for the longest pickleball volley rallya prior record… then the brothers revealed they had pre-approval to attempt a brand-new record on the spot:

“We had gotten pre-approval to set a new world record… right here and now.”

The challenge: most volleys without a bounce by two players in one minute.

The existing mark was set at 100 in one minute. The Rossettis knew it was within reach… but still, this was a pressure moment.

And then they did it without practice and without warm-up:

“Without any practice and no warm-up, we set… 111 volleys in one minute.”

Then the crowd wanted more.

So they went again and raised the bar:

“We do it again… and we get 113 without a miss.”

Important note: this record is currently unofficial until Guinness World Records completes the verification process:

“It’s unofficial until it is verified and adjudicated.”

They also shared that in practice they’ve pushed even higher:

“The highest was 124… at a blistering pace.”

How They Trained: The Metronome Method

To hit that kind of speed while staying consistent, they trained like a machine, literally:

“We did train for that record with a metronome at our home club, Pickleville in New Haven.”

They described how intense it gets at 120 beats per minute:

“It is super fast… that’s two volleys every second.”

This wasn’t just hand speed. It was control, timing, and discipline under pressure.

The Rossetti Philosophy: Purpose, Joy, and the Infinite Game

“Find your purpose first. Winning comes second.”

The Rossetti Brothers emphasized the idea of playing the “infinite game” where the sport doesn’t end with one outcome, and growth continues regardless of results.

And one line hit especially hard for competitive athletes:

“Joy is a state of being… Happiness is usually tied to an outcome you don’t have control over. Focus on the things you can control.”

Pickleball is growing because it’s more than competition. It’s community, meaning, and momentum.

The Rossetti Brothers represent a version of the sport that’s about:

• pushing what’s possible,
• giving back through the sport,
• and bringing people into pickleball through inspiration (not intimidation).

And now, with their 113-volley one-minute record attempt pending approval, the Rossetti Brothers partnered with DUPR to create the most shareable skill challenge pickleball has seen in a long time.

Follow @duprpb and @rossettibrotherspickleball  and stay tuned for what’s coming up.