Pro Athletes Turned Pickleball Stars: The Rising Trend

With its unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong elements, pickleball has rapidly gained global attention over the last decade. What began as a backyard pastime in the mid-1960s is now one of the fastest-growing sports in North America. While it has long attracted recreational enthusiasts of all ages, pickleball has taken on a new dimension in recent years: welcoming professional athletes from other sports who find its competitive and social elements irresistible. This phenomenon is not just anecdotal; many household names, from Olympic champions to Grand Slam tennis icons, have hopped onto pickleball courts to test their skills. Below, we delve into some notable pro athletes who have crossed over from different sports, discuss why they made the switch, and explore how their previous backgrounds inform their approach to the game.

1. The Appeal of Pickleball for Cross-Over Athletes

Before examining the specific athletes who have leaped, it’s essential to understand why pickleball is so appealing. For those who spent their careers in high-intensity, physically demanding sports, pickleball offers a few compelling draws:

1. Translatable Skills: The smaller court and use of paddles (rather than traditional tennis racquets) certainly change the dynamic, but athletic fundamentals—footwork, endurance, hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking—transfer neatly from many sports into pickleball. This continuity makes the learning curve less steep for experienced athletes.
2. Reduced Impact on Joints: Pickleball is known for being relatively low-impact compared to sports like tennis or basketball. While it can still be fast-paced, the physical toll is generally lighter, which can be especially attractive to retired pros who may be nursing old injuries.
3. Strong Community Aspect: Perhaps more than many other competitive sports, pickleball emphasizes social interaction and community engagement. Although there is a rapidly evolving professional circuit, the recreational and social component remains at the heart of pickleball culture. Athletes looking for both fun and a competitive outlet often find the pickleball community welcoming and enthusiastic.
4. Growing Professional Scene: Tournaments, sponsorships, and professional leagues such as Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) have provided a structured path for athletes who want to compete seriously. With these opportunities expanding, it’s no wonder cross-over athletes see potential for another athletic chapter in their lives.

2. Sam Querrey: From Wimbledon Semifinalist to Pickleball Contender

One of the most talked-about transitions in the past couple of years has been that of Sam Querrey, the American tennis player best known for his powerful serve and surprise run to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2017. Querrey announced in late 2022 and early 2023 that he would be joining the professional pickleball ranks, generating buzz among both tennis and pickleball fans.

For Querrey, the move was natural. The smaller court makes for rapid-fire exchanges, and his tennis serve technique helps him dominate from the baseline. While pickleball paddles differ significantly from tennis racquets regarding surface texture and size, his training in timing, ball placement, and reading opponents’ positioning still applies. Querrey quickly found that his background allowed him to be highly competitive in professional pickleball tournaments. His presence also made tennis fans curious how a Grand Slam-level athlete would fare on the pickleball stage.

3. Bode Miller: Chasing Adrenaline Off the Slopes

For athletes from non-racket sports, the transition to pickleball can be more unexpected. Bode Miller, one of the most decorated American alpine skiers of all time, is a prime example of someone whose love for speed and competition found a fresh outlet in pickleball. Miller began playing recreationally, partly to stay active during the off-season and partly to indulge his passion for high-adrenaline activities in a controlled, warm environment—far removed from the icy slopes he’s used to.

While it might seem like skiing and pickleball have nothing in common, a few skills translate well. Balance and agility are critical for making quick turns on the slopes, and those same attributes help with the explosive lateral movements required on a pickleball court. Moreover, the mental resilience Miller cultivated while training for the Olympics transfers into the intense rally-by-rally focus demanded by competitive pickleball matches. Miller is not just a casual participant; he has shown genuine enthusiasm, participating in exhibitions and helping to shine the spotlight on the sport’s untapped potential for non-racket athletes.

4. Kim Clijsters: Grand Slam Champion Embracing a New Challenge

Kim Clijsters was a WTA World No. 1 household name in women’s tennis and a multiple Grand Slam champion. After retiring from professional tennis, Clijsters explored ways to stay fit and competitive, eventually stepping onto a pickleball court. The transition has been met with excitement by both her tennis fans and the pickleball community.

What sets Clijsters apart is her impressive agility. She was known for her splits and remarkable court coverage throughout her tennis career. These movement skills offer a distinct advantage in pickleball, allowing her to get to the net or retrieve seemingly impossible shots quickly. While the atmosphere of pickleball is notably more relaxed than the high-pressure environment of Grand Slams, Clijsters appreciates the social and familial aspects. It’s common to see entire families playing together, and top-level competitions maintain a friendly vibe despite the increasing stakes. For Clijsters, it’s a perfect blend of staying competitive and enjoying a more laid-back sporting environment.

5. Other Tennis Pros Making Waves in Pickleball

Aside from Querrey and Clijsters, several noteworthy players crossed over from competitive tennis backgrounds:

• Ben Johns: Widely regarded as one of the top male pickleball players, Johns played tennis at a high junior level. His lightning-fast reflexes and precise shot-making have earned him numerous pickleball titles.
• Tyson McGuffin: Another star, McGuffin has become a household name in pickleball. While he didn’t have the same global tennis renown as Querrey or Clijsters, he honed his racket skills through tennis before dominating the pickleball pro circuit.
• Lucy Kovalova and Anna Leigh Waters: Both have strong tennis roots and quickly adapted to pickleball’s nuances. Waters, in particular, started at a very young age and has proven to be a prodigy, earning major titles while still in her teens.

Their stories underscore how a solid tennis foundation can fast-track one’s success in pickleball. Many fundamentals—like reading opponent cues, sustaining rallies, and executing precise serves—map well to the pickleball court.

6. Athletes from Other Sports Entering the Pickleball Realm

The pickleball bug isn’t limited to tennis players and skiers. Athletes from sports like the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball have also expressed curiosity. Some, like former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, have gone a step further by investing in professional pickleball teams. While not actively competing on the court, these investments show belief in pickleball’s commercial and cultural viability.

Terrell Owens, the former NFL wide receiver, and other former football stars have also appeared at pickleball charity events or exhibitions. Their forays into the game might be casual, but they often speak publicly about how pickleball provides an enjoyable way to stay active post-retirement. The smaller court size and easy learning curve allow them to jump in without risking the kind of severe injuries they faced in their football careers.

Meanwhile, some former basketball players have tried their hand at pickleball, citing how natural it feels to pivot and move in a confined space. Though the skill sets differ—shooting hoops vs. hitting a whiffle ball—certain universal athletic principles help them pick up the game quickly.

7. Why the Transition Makes Sense

Retiring from a beloved sport can leave a competitive void for any athlete. Pickleball, with its growing pro leagues and community-based environment, fills that gap in multiple ways:

1. Manageable Physical Demand: High-level tennis pros or NFL players often retire due to accumulated injuries. Pickleball provides a less grueling alternative to stay in shape while still feeding their competitive drive.
2. Accessible Competition: The surge in organized tournaments—both recreational and professional—means players can find suitable levels of competition quickly. If they desire, athletes can easily transition from casual weekend play to serious championship events.
3. Social Engagement: Pickleball is famously community-oriented, with clubs and meetups that welcome newcomers. Retired pros relish engaging with fans and fellow players in a more relaxed setting than the intense spotlight of major sporting events.
4. Potential for Growth: The evolving professional scene in pickleball suggests that there’s still plenty of room for more significant sponsorships, bigger tournaments, and more media coverage. For athletes with name recognition, it’s an opportunity to help shape a burgeoning sport while extending their brand.

8. Looking Ahead: The Future of Cross-Over Talent

As pickleball continues its upward trajectory, more professional athletes from various sports will likely test the waters. One of its most endearing qualities is its accessibility, where a beginner and a seasoned athlete can share the court. Yet for those with professional-level skills, the competitive scene offers enough challenge and prestige to satisfy their drive to excel.

Professional leagues like Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour are investing in marketing, television deals, and social media campaigns to bring pickleball to a larger audience. As the sport gains more mainstream acceptance, expect more tennis greats, Olympic medalists, and perhaps even other high-profile NFL or NBA retirees showing up on the courts.

This infusion of established sports figures lends credibility and excitement. Fans who followed an athlete’s career in one sport might become curious to watch them compete in pickleball, helping to broaden the sport’s audience. Meanwhile, the cross-over athletes bring a wealth of experience, technique, and an unwavering competitive spirit—traits that will continue to elevate the overall level of play.

The shift of professional athletes to pickleball is more than a passing trend—it’s a testament to the sport’s universal appeal. Pickleball’s combination of accessible fun, strategic depth, and rapidly developing professional opportunities makes it an enticing prospect for athletes seeking a new chapter after retiring from their primary sport. From Sam Querrey’s thunderous tennis serve to Bode Miller’s quick reflexes honed on icy slopes, these crossover stars illustrate how varied athletic backgrounds can seamlessly adapt to the pickleball arena.

As more names appear at pro events, the conversation around pickleball’s legitimacy as a competitive sport will only grow. In the meantime, both casual and devoted fans can enjoy the spectacle of seeing former tennis champions, Olympic skiers, and NFL legends all converge on a paddle-and-whiffle-ball game that’s redefining what it means to stay active, competitive, and engaged after retiring from a lifetime of high-level sports.

Pictures Credit: Wikipedia