From Tennis Courts to Pickleball Glory: With the explosion of pickleball as a competitive sport, it may come as a surprise that many professional pickleball players were once on the tennis court. In fact, 130 of the 144 players currently listed on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour have backgrounds in tennis. Names like Jack Sock, Eugenie Bouchard, Donald Young, and Sam Querrey stand out, bridging both the professional tennis and pickleball worlds. But the list doesn’t end there—22 more PPA players made serious attempts at pro tennis before trading their racquets for paddles.
Collin Johns and Ben Johns
Among the most notable crossovers is Collin Johns, brother of pickleball sensation Ben Johns, widely known as the “Michael Jordan of Pickleball.” Collin Johns once reached ATP career-high rankings of No. 978 in singles and No. 939 in doubles. Together, Collin Johns and Ben Johns have claimed over 25 professional pickleball titles, cementing their status as one of the sport’s premier pairs.
Altalf Merchant and Parris Todd
Altalf Merchant, once India’s top junior player, represented his country in elite tournaments like the Orange Bowl. Parris Todd began her competitive journey at just 14 on the ITF tour, collecting over 85 titles. Each has brought a unique background and skill set to the pickleball arena, influenced by their time in tennis.
Collegiate Achievements on Display
Of these former tennis pros, twelve also competed in collegiate tennis, with some boasting impressive credentials. Lea Jansen, a first-team All-American, and Pablo Tellez, an NCAA champion, are just two examples. Brothers Yates Johnson and Hunter Johnson, a standout doubles team, bring college-level achievements and experience, with Hunter Johnson having defeated ATP stars like Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime during his tennis career. Reaching a career-high ATP doubles ranking of No. 198, Hunter Johnson became one of the earliest pro tennis players to join the PPA, and now competes alongside Yates Johnson on the 20-by-44-foot pickleball courts.
Coaching Experience Leading to Pickleball Careers
For some players, their tennis coaching background played a key role in their introduction to pickleball. Tyson McGuffin, who competed briefly in both college and professional tennis, served as a head tennis pro for six years before fully embracing pickleball. Tyson McGuffin’s coaching experience laid a foundation for his current success on the pickleball tour.
Tennis: The Springboard to Pickleball Success
For players like Anna Leigh Waters, tennis provided a foundation for pickleball success. Anna Leigh Waters, a star in both tennis and soccer, transitioned to pickleball at age 12, quickly becoming the youngest pro in the sport. Other athletes, like high school standout Alix Truong, began as tennis players before making their mark in pickleball, often at the top of their singles and doubles rosters.
While Jack Sock, Eugenie Bouchard, Donald Young, and Sam Querrey are familiar names, they represent just a fraction of the former tennis players now on the PPA Tour. Of the 144 listed players, 130 have a tennis background—a striking 90 percent.
News in Brief: From Tennis Courts to Pickleball Glory
With 90% of PPA Tour players coming from a tennis background, the crossover between professional tennis and pickleball is significant. While big names like Jack Sock and Eugenie Bouchard have attracted attention, they’re joined by 22 others who previously pursued pro tennis careers. Collin Johns, Altalf Merchant, and Parris Todd, among others, bring collegiate and professional tennis credentials, shaping pickleball’s competitive landscape. Some, like Tyson McGuffin, transitioned from tennis coaching roles, while young stars like Anna Leigh Waters used tennis as a springboard to pickleball success. The tennis-to-pickleball pipeline continues fueling the sport’s growth.
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