Chris Haworth Pickleball Rise: Chris Haworth, one of the rising stars in professional pickleball, has taken the sport by storm in 2024 with a 30-match win streak and seven straight gold medals. In Daytona Beach, Florida, Deborah Lew sat down with him to learn more about his journey, his passion for the sport, and how he’s helping grow the game in Oklahoma City.
Chris Haworth began the year with a remarkable winning streak, dominating courts across the country. Since January 2024, he’s become one of the most talked-about players in pickleball. Known for his fierce backhand and calm style, Haworth is making headlines for his game—and his efforts off the court too.
How Chris Haworth Found Pickleball
Chris Haworth’s journey started in college tennis. He played three years at Oklahoma State University and loved the sport and the program. But near the end, he started feeling differently.
“Towards the end I kind of fell out of love with tennis. I wasn’t excited to play,” said Chris Haworth.
He took a break from the sport and spent a year working a corporate job. After that, he began coaching tennis full-time. It was during a one-week Thanksgiving break that everything changed.
“I played pickleball for the first time that Monday and then I was hooked right away. Played every single day that week,” he said.
From that week onward, pickleball slowly started replacing tennis in his life. His passion for the game grew, and eventually, he fully switched to pickleball.
Dominating the Court
Since making the switch, Chris Haworth has had an impressive run. With partner Ryler DeHeart, he took down top teams, including a straight-game win over the defending champions in Daytona Beach.
“Down go the champs from Daytona. Haworth and Henry take them out in straight games,” said the announcer during one of his matches.
His skill and calm approach helped him gain fans and respect in the sport.
“Backhand winner down the line. Third time’s the charm. Chris Haworth,” the announcer added.
Life Beyond Pickleball
Off the court, Chris Haworth enjoys spending time with friends at breweries.
“You know I initially just—I love going to breweries with friends. I think it’s a great way to connect with people. Just have a drink, have some food, you know,” he said.
He also sees local breweries as a way to learn about different communities. That personal interest helped shape a new idea close to home.
Chris Haworth and Jenna Hessert created a pickleball league in Oklahoma City. The goal was to let friends and family finally watch them play.
“They’re like ‘When was the next time we can come watch you? Can we come watch a tournament?’ And the answer is always like, ‘Yeah, you can come watch us but you have to go to Daytona or you have to go to Phoenix,’” said Chris Haworth.
A local brewery helped by building a court inside the building. That allowed them to host league games right next to the brewing machines and bar.
“They let us use the court for the league and so that was a really awesome experience,” he said.
Building Pickleball in Oklahoma
Chris Haworth now focuses on growing the pickleball scene in his home city. He wants to help connect top players and build a stronger local community.
“I’m trying to just get all the top players together and play together more. It’s a smaller pickleball community. I’m trying to just once a month maybe get everyone together and host a little tournament and get everyone competitive with each other and just kind of grow the community from there. It’s amazing,” he said.
What This Means for Pickleball
Chris Haworth’s story shows how fast pickleball is growing. From a single week of trying the sport to becoming a top player in just months, his journey inspires new athletes and brings more attention to the game.
By organizing local events and building community, he’s not just playing to win—he’s helping others fall in love with the sport too.
News in Brief: Chris Haworth Pickleball Rise
Chris Haworth, after switching from college tennis, has won seven straight gold medals and is on a 30-match win streak in pickleball. Off the court, he’s helping grow the sport in Oklahoma City by launching a local league and community events. His story shows pickleball’s growing reach.