Meggan William Pickleball Journey: Saint Lucian athlete Meggan William is aiming for a professional career in pickleball, with the goal of reaching the top 10 in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles worldwide. The 24-year-old former national tennis player hopes to lead the sport’s growth in Saint Lucia while competing on the global stage.
From Tennis to Pickleball
Meggan William played tennis from age nine and represented Saint Lucia in the Billie Jean King Cup in 2024. She studied exercise science at the University of Charleston, played for the Golden Eagles tennis team, and was active in campus life.
Her shift to pickleball began in November 2024 after friends invited her to try the sport. At first, she preferred tennis, but within weeks she saw her potential. She won gold in her first tournament and silver at her first major event, the 2024 World Pickleball Association World Championships in Las Vegas.
“I played tennis competitively from the tender age of nine years old up until playing the Billie Jean King Cup [for Saint Lucia] in 2024. I have always had a dream of becoming a professional tennis player. But after college, and getting into the real world, that dream became difficult to achieve while balancing life,” she reflected.
“When I decided to start pickleball and began competing, I felt that same fire and adrenaline that I feel when playing tennis. Pickleball has given me a refreshing feeling that I can keep that dream alive. It is a very similar sport to tennis, but also very different in its own unique ways. With my tennis background, I have an amazing pickleball game that can help me get to the highest level.”
Rising Results and Ambitions
Meggan William has continued her success in 2025, winning mixed doubles gold twice on the Match Point Open Powered by Proton tour. She also won women’s singles at the Midnight Heist in Utah over the Emancipation Day weekend.
“I played many games in the park with others, and I was winning every game,” she recalled. “People were expressing how good I was at pickleball, and that began to sink in. I began watching some of the best pickleball players and saw how big the sport was becoming and how much opportunity there was to go professional.”
She added, “After one month of playing and learning more about the sport and professional opportunities, I decided to sign up for a tournament to discover my game in a competitive environment. My first tournament felt like I was at a tennis tournament. That competitive level came out, and I achieved the gold medal in my first pickleball tournament.
“I felt very accomplished after that tournament. I attracted a crowd that was very impressed with watching me play pickleball, and I really enjoyed competing in something again. After that tournament, I spoke to one of my friends I practised with, and I confidently said I would like to start training and competing to get to that professional level.”
Building the Sport at Home
A steering committee is working to develop pickleball in Saint Lucia, with over 60 active players mainly in Castries and Gros Islet. Most courts are makeshift, but plans are underway for a multipurpose facility with three permanent courts. The venue would host games, stage plays, concerts, and lectures, while giving children and adults a place to learn pickleball.
Organisers believe that the sport’s rapid growth in the US and other countries will be repeated in Saint Lucia. They aim to have the national facility ready within two years.
Looking Ahead
With her strong results and clear goals, Meggan William is well-placed to inspire a new generation of players in Saint Lucia. The next time she returns home, it could be to compete in a tournament on local soil.
News in Brief: Meggan William Pickleball Journey
Meggan William, 24, is pursuing a professional pickleball career and aiming for top 10 global rankings. The Saint Lucian athlete has already earned multiple tournament wins in 2025. A local steering committee is also planning a national facility to grow the sport, with completion targeted within two years.
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