Connor Garnett Pickleball Journey: Connor Garnett, a 28-year-old rising star in professional pickleball, has quickly become one of the best singles players in the world. After a successful tennis career, Garnett switched sports and is now ranked third in singles on the Professional Pickleball Association Tour. He has already won two PPA titles and earned 20 medals since turning pro in 2022.
Garnett’s journey into pickleball began after a short career in finance. He left his investment banking job to chase a full-time role in the growing sport, a move that has clearly paid off. He is known for his quick footwork, fast hands, and powerful two-handed backhand.
From Tennis Star to Pickleball Pro
Connor Garnett grew up in Washington and was a top junior tennis player at Interlake High School. He never lost a high school match and won three state titles. He went on to play tennis at Santa Clara University, where he developed his passion for the sport.
“That was where I made all my friends and just played every day, played in college and just really fell in love with the sport,” (Connor Garnett).
After graduating, Garnett pursued a master’s degree and played tennis in Europe. He was preparing to compete in Egypt when the COVID-19 pandemic halted his plans. He returned to the United States and worked in investment banking before turning his attention to pickleball.
Making the Leap to Pickleball
What began as casual tournament play soon became a serious path. Garnett started winning matches and prize money.
“I talked to my boss, and he was super understanding about it and it got to the point where I was like, ‘I could maybe make a career out of this,’”(Connor Garnett).
His strong tennis background helped him adjust to pickleball quickly. He became well known for his unique style, especially his Around-the-Post (ATP) shots. His mental strength also showed through.
“It’s pretty surreal, it’s definitely a cool experience. Just to be there, go through a tournament winning. Everyone else in the tournament has at least one loss, so it’s pretty magical,” (Connor Garnett told KING 5).
The Joy of Learning a New Game
What keeps Connor Garnett motivated is his love for growth and improvement.
“I love learning. With tennis, I felt like I was chasing what I once was and with pickleball, every shot is new. Learning how to dink … I just kind of became obsessed with the learning aspect.”(Connor Garnett)
He now runs an online pickleball training program called Twoey Pickleball Skool and uses his business background to manage sponsorships and income.
What’s Next for Garnett
Garnett hopes to one day become the top pickleball player in the world. But beyond personal goals, he wants to help grow the sport. He’s part of a growing group of athletes showing the world that pickleball is more than just a backyard game.
As the Professional Pickleball Association Tour adds more events and prize money, players like Garnett prove that pickleball can be a true professional path.
News in Brief: Connor Garnett Pickleball Journey
Connor Garnett, a former tennis champion from Washington, is now one of the top professional pickleball players in the world. He left a job in finance to pursue the sport full time. With two PPA titles and 20 medals, Garnett hopes to be world No. 1 and grow the game worldwide.
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