Augie Ge’s Journey from Tennis to Pickleball: Pickleball’s top professionals are gathering at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club this weekend for the inaugural Proton Tucson Open. Among them is Augie Ge, a former University of Arizona tennis player who is making his debut on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tour at his old training grounds.
Ge’s Journey to Professional Pickleball
Ge, who previously played competitive table tennis, picked up a pickleball paddle in 2022. He initially played for fun but saw an opportunity after being laid off from his data science job last year.
I was already playing a lot of pickleball by then, so I figured I’d give being a full-time pro a shot before immediately trying to search for a new job, and here we are.” – (Ge)
On Thursday, he competed in his first PPA tour singles match but did not advance. However, he remains in the tournament, set to compete in the Mixed Doubles round on Friday and the Men’s Doubles on Saturday.
Growth of Pickleball and Ge’s Impact
Ge, like many players, was unaware of professional pickleball just a few years ago.
“I didn’t even know pro pickleball existed until about three years ago. When I tell people I’m a pro pickleball player, half of them don’t believe and half of them don’t even know it exists.” – (ge)
Ge’s presence in Tucson adds a personal connection to the event, drawing attention to the rapid growth of pickleball and the increasing number of athletes transitioning from other sports. The Proton Tucson Open continues through the weekend, featuring top-tier matches and rising talent in the sport.
News in Brief: Augie Ge’s Journey from Tennis to Pickleball
The Proton Tucson Open is bringing top pickleball players to the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club. Augie Ge, a former University of Arizona tennis player, is making his PPA debut. He lost his singles match but will compete in Mixed and Men’s Doubles. His journey highlights the sport’s growth and appeal.