Pickleball: A Haven for Former College Tennis Stars
Professional pickleball has become a magnet for former college tennis players, with nearly half of the over 140 players on the PPA Tour hailing from the collegiate ranks. This influx of tennis talent has significantly elevated the level of play in pickleball, with former NCAA champions, All-Americans, and doubles standouts now dominating the sport.
In the men’s singles rankings, six of the Top 10 players have collegiate tennis backgrounds. Tyson McGuffin, ranked No. 4, competed on the ATP tour after college, while Connor Garnett, ranked No. 3, was Novak Djokovic’s long-time hitting partner. Federico Staksrud, the current No. 1, played at multiple universities, and Quang Duong, ranked No. 5, was a top-ranked ITF junior player.
The men’s doubles rankings are also heavily influenced by former collegiate tennis players, with half of the Top 10 and six out of ten in mixed doubles coming from that background. Staksrud, McGuffin, and Christian Alshon are all ranked in the Top 10 in all three categories.
On the women’s side, Catherine Parenteau has a similar story, holding Top 10 rankings in all three categories, including No. 1 in doubles with Anna Leigh Waters. Kaitlyn Christian and Lea Jansen are also in the Top 5 of the singles race.
Parris Todd and Tyra Black both played professional tennis on the ITF tour before switching to pickleball in 2023. Todd is currently ranked No. 7 in the singles race, while Black is No. 8 in the doubles.
Vivienne David and Tina Pisnik, two players who didn’t play NCAA tennis but played and coached the sport respectively, are also in the mixed doubles race Top 10, along with four collegiate athletes.
The influx of college tennis players into pickleball has not only raised the level of competition but has also helped to popularize the sport. With so many former collegiate stars now playing pickleball, the sport is gaining more attention and attracting new players.
