Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington.
Tina Pisnik is a former professional tennis player and current pickleball player from Slovenia. Pisnik turned professional in 1999. Pisnik's highest singles ranking was world No. 29, which she reached on 12 January 2004. Her career-high doubles ranking is world No. 63 on 3 April 2000. She won one singles title and two doubles titles on the WTA Tour.
Ryler DeHeart is an American former professional tennis player and current professional pickleball player. He reached his tennis singles career high ranking of 174 on May 3, 2010. He was coached by Brad Dancer. DeHeart resides in Champaign, Illinois.
Travis Rettenmaier is an American former professional tennis player and pickleball player. Rettenmaier's highest singles ranking was World No. 273 achieved on February 27, 2006. In doubles, his ranking was World No. 57, which he achieved on July 12, 2010. He was mainly active as a doubles player.
Steve Meister is a former professional tennis player from the United States. Meister's highest singles ranking was World No. 69, which he reached in August 1984. During his career, he won 6 doubles titles and achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 20 in July 1984.
The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, officially known as Real Federación Española de Tenis (RFET) in Spanish is the national governing body of tennis in Spain. Established in 1907, the federation oversees the development, regulation, and promotion of tennis at both the amateur and professional levels throughout the country. The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation is a member of the regional association Tennis Europe and is recognized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Spanish government as the authoritative body for tennis in Spain. The organization is also responsible for the Spanish Davis Cup team and the Spanish Fed Cup team. The federation headquarters lies in Barcelona.
Martin Emmrich is a retired professional tennis player and current professional pickleball player on the PPA tour who specialized in doubles & mixed. He participated primarily on the ATP World Tour. On 12 October 2009, he reached his highest ATP singles ranking of world No. 604 whilst his highest doubles ranking of No. 35 was achieved on 5 August 2013.
Andreas Siljeström is a Swedish former professional tennis player who specialized in doubles and a pickleball player. He has a career doubles high-ranking of world No. 57 achieved in May 2012.
Andrei Dăescu is a Romanian professional tennis player and pickleball player playing on the ITF Men's Circuit and the ATP Challenger Tour and current member of the Romania Davis Cup Team. On 27 February 2012 he reached his highest ATP singles ranking of 654 whilst his best doubles ranking was 355 on 2 April 2012.
Salome Devidze is a Georgian tennis player and pickleball player.
Noah Rubin is an American professional tennis player. He is a former Wimbledon junior singles champion, and a former USTA junior national champion in both singles and doubles. After turning pro in 2015, he won four ATP Challenger titles.
Thomas Dundon is an American billionaire businessman, specializing in financial services, real estate and sports entertainment. He is chairman and managing partner of Dundon Capital Partners in Dallas, Texas, chairman of pickleball.com, and is the sole owner and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League and was on the board of the former Alliance of American Football.
Helle Sparre is a former professional tennis player from Denmark. She competed during her career under her married name Helle Sparre-Viragh.
Jenny L. Klitch is a former professional tennis player from the United States.
Yates Johnson is an American tennis player and major league pickleball player.
Hunter Johnson is a professional American tennis player and pickleball player.
Benjamin Ellingham Johns is an American professional pickleball player. He is ranked No. 1 in the world for mixed doubles, No. 2 for Singles, and No. 3 in the world for Men's Doubles by the Pro Pickleball Association. (PPA)
This glossary provides definitions and context for terminology related to, and jargon specific to, the sport of pickleball. Words or phrases in italics can be found on the list in their respective alphabetic sections.
Rick Witsken is a former American tennis player and pickleball player, tennis coach, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Team Witsken and co-founder of the National Pickleball League (NPL).
Julian Arnold is an American professional pickleball player based in Austin, Texas. He is sponsored by CnP Pickleball and is known for his signature catchphrase "Andiamo!" on the court.
United States