Marcel Zuzarte’s Pickleball Coach Journey: Marcel Zuzarte, a semi-professional pickleball player, has become the new tennis coach at Blaine High School. At 56 years old, Zuzarte has played tennis since he was a child in Kenya, but it was pickleball that revived his competitive spirit after a shoulder injury. Now, he balances coaching with his passion for pickleball.
From Tennis to Pickleball
Zuzarte grew up in Kenya as the youngest of 12 children. He dreamed of playing competitive tennis in the U.S., but a shoulder injury and immigration issues derailed those plans. Although he casually played tennis afterward, his love for the sport never faded.
“I dropped the sport and played casually here and there. But I love tennis. I still love the sport.” – (Zuzarte)
Years later, after discovering pickleball, Zuzarte found a new competitive outlet. “Once I started playing singles, I found out that singles were basically mini tennis,” he said. He quickly became a top player in the 4.5–5.5 skill range and started competing in numerous tournaments.
Commitment to Coaching and Family
Zuzarte, who has lived in the Pacific Northwest for 35 years, recently took on the role of head girls’ tennis coach at Blaine High School. This position became available when Amanda Dahl stepped down after leading the team for seven years. Zuzarte, with years of experience in tennis, was already a familiar face, offering tips to the players.
“She asked me to take over the position because I have the experience having played tennis most of my life. I was always around to come and give some pointers to the girls.” – (Zuzarte)
He now balances this responsibility with his role as a single father. Zuzarte’s daughter, Juliana, is a senior at Blaine and will play soccer for Hawaii Pacific University in the fall.
“It was hectic being in 24 different cities in a year. I chose to go one a month right now because my daughter’s a senior in high school here, and she’s graduating this year, so I want to be home for her more.” – (Zuzarte)
A Strong Pickleball Career
Zuzarte has been active in the sport scene since 2021, competing in tournaments across the country. In 2024, he won the gold medal in the 4.5 men’s doubles at the Seattle Metro Classic and recently played in the 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships in Florida.
“Once I started playing singles, I found out that singles were basically mini tennis. I’m a competitive person, so it’s one of those things where you start going and you enjoy it.” – (Zuzarte)
He plays in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events. One of his mixed doubles partners, Maggie Fields, praised Zuzarte’s sportsmanship and skill.
“He’s a great mixed doubles partner. We hit hard and fast so that’s our ammo when we’re playing mixed, so we do a really good job of feeding off each other.” – (fields)
“Some men get uber-ly competitive and lose their cool. Not Marcel, he’s always a gentleman to me, complimentary and an angel to play with.” – (fields)
Inspiring the Next Generation
Zuzarte’s goal goes beyond personal achievement; he also wants to give back to the community. He is working to open a pickleball facility in Bellingham that would be free for children under 18.
“I want kids to be active. I want them to be out playing instead of playing on their phones. They’ll have something to do in the winter, in the weather, in the element.” – (Zuzarte)
His vision includes providing a space for young people to play year-round, even during the colder months.
News in Brief: Marcel Zuzarte’s Pickleball Coach Journey
Marcel Zuzarte, a 56-year-old semi-professional pickleball player, has become the new head girls’ tennis coach at Blaine High School. Zuzarte is balancing his coaching duties with a successful pickleball career, and he aims to inspire the next generation by opening a pickleball facility for kids in Bellingham.
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