The Pickleball Hall of Fame has revealed its Class of 2024, featuring two notable players and one influential contributor. Simone Jardim and Kyle Yates are set to join the Hall of Fame in the Player Category, while John Gullo will be honored in the Contributor Category. The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 14th in Mesa, AZ.
Honoring Pickleball Legends
“The Pickleball Hall of Fame is honored to welcome these pickleball legends and salute these individuals for their outstanding contributions to the game. Simone and Kyle have had tremendous success at the professional level while John has been a pioneer in the development of our professional game.” – (Stu Upson, Pickleball Hall of Fame President)
Simone Jardim: From Tennis to Pickleball Star
Simone Jardim, originally from Santa Maria, Brazil, transitioned from a successful tennis career to become a dominant force in pickleball. She began her professional pickleball career in 2016, capturing her first singles title at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championship.
Jardim clinched triple crown titles at the U.S. Open in 2017 and 2018 and secured another singles title in 2019, along with gold in the mixed division with Kyle Yates. In 2021, she was ranked No. 1 in women’s doubles with partner Lucy Kovalova and continued her success by winning the U.S. Open women’s doubles with Paris Todd in 2023, earning the Female Doubles Player of the Year award from the APP.
Kyle Yates: Young Prodigy with a Winning Legacy
At just 29 years old, Kyle Yates has already established himself as a prominent figure in pickleball. Born in Florida, Yates transitioned from soccer and tennis to pickleball, making a significant impact from his first competition in 2014 by winning singles at the So Cal Classic.
His career highlights include a grand slam of men’s pro doubles titles, including seven U.S. Open pro doubles titles, two Tournament of Champions pro doubles titles, and four USAP National Championships pro doubles. Named the world No. 1 doubles player by the WPF in 2018, Yates remains active on the APP tour and competes for the Brisbane Breakers MLP Australia team.
John Gullo: Pioneer and Ambassador for the Sport
John Gullo is celebrated for his contributions as a pickleball ambassador and his role in establishing The Tournament of Champions as a premier event. Under Gullo’s leadership, the Brigham City courts were expanded and upgraded, including the addition of a championship court and bleachers.
Gullo’s initiatives included paying referees and live streaming pickleball tournaments, setting new standards in the sport. His efforts extended to establishing pickleball in ten Utah cities, leading to over 360 active pickleball courts in Northern Utah. Through the American Dream Foundation, Gullo has also supported youth engagement in pickleball, donating over $25,000 in scholarships for junior events.
News in Brief: Pickleball Hall of Fame
The Pickleball Hall of Fame will induct Simone Jardim, Kyle Yates, and John Gullo on November 14th in Mesa, AZ. Jardim, a Brazilian tennis player turned pickleball star, has earned multiple titles and accolades, including the Female Doubles Player of the Year.
Yates, a young pickleball prodigy, has a string of major titles to his name and continues to compete internationally. Gullo, a key figure in professional pickleball, is recognized for his role in elevating The Tournament of Champions and expanding pickleball in Northern Utah.
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