Jessie Irvine Ditched Her Iconic Space Buns: Jessie Irvine, a top pickleball player once known for her space buns, changed her hairstyle during the 2025 Veolia North Carolina Open in April. At Cary Tennis Park, she arrived with a new look—a ponytail. The change came after getting highlights, influenced by her sisters and hairstylist.
Why the Change Happened
Jessie Irvine said the switch started at the North Carolina tournament. She was visiting family in the state when her sisters talked her into getting highlights.
“I’m from North Carolina and my family still lives there. During the North Carolina tournament, my sisters convinced me to get some highlights, and initially I wanted to go blonde.” – (Irvine)
Blonde was her first choice, but her hairstylist suggested otherwise.
“But once I went to my hairstylist, she convinced me not to go all blonde because it’s harder to maintain, and when it grows out, I’ll have that weird line where my roots will show.” – (Irvine)
Keeping It Simple
Since Jessie Irvine plays in many tournaments across the country, she needs a low-maintenance style.
“With highlights, it’s a lot more blendable and looks more natural when they grow out. Once I got my hair highlighted and shaped, my sister was like ‘You can’t put your hair back in the buns because no one will see the highlights. You did all this work, so let it out and show it off.’” – (Irvine)
So, the ponytail stayed, showing off her fresh highlights.
Easier for Tournament Days
She also found the ponytail much easier to manage than space buns.
“After a few tournament days of wearing my hair in a ponytail, I realized it was so much easier to just throw my hair up in a ponytail. It’s more of a laziness thing. Putting my hair into two space buns is a lot of work, and a ponytail is just so much easier.” – (Irvine)
Even if it surprised fans, Irvine felt it was time for a change.
“I did space buns for two years and it was time for something new. A lot of people at tournaments keep giving me a double take because I’ve done the space buns for so long, but I actually used to wear my hair like this back in the day, so it’s a nice change.” – (Irvine)
A Fresh Look Moving Forward
Jessie Irvine’s new hairstyle could become her go-to look for the rest of the season. Her highlights work well for summer, and the ponytail saves her time during busy tournament days.
Even though the space buns were once part of her image, the ponytail now feels just right. And as always, a classic ponytail never goes out of style.
News in Brief: Jessie Irvine Ditched Her Iconic Space Buns
Pickleball star Jessie Irvine has dropped her signature space buns for a ponytail. The change began at the 2025 Veolia North Carolina Open after getting new highlights. Influenced by family and hairstylist advice, Irvine says the ponytail is easier and shows off her hair better during her busy tournament schedule.
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