It’s a common question among enthusiasts: How do I become a professional pickleball player?

You already love the sport. You’re playing constantly. You’ve mastered your skills and bested small-scale tournaments. Now, you want to make some money with your beloved hobby. You want to break into the world of pro pickleball!

Here’s the good news: Pickleball is an open sport. Anyone can go pro. All it takes is determination and grit. You don’t need an in or a top-tier team pick. Anyone can enter a pro pickleball tournament, and anyone with enough skill can win. However, that doesn’t mean becoming a pickleball pro is easy. Initially, you won’t be raking in appearance fees, and your prize money may not cover your travel costs.

Even so, there is a path to pickleball stardom!

Practice Makes Perfect

The first step to becoming a professional pickleball player is perfecting your skills. Most professional players are 5.0 and above, meaning their skill level is consistently high.

So, how do you reach that goal?

1. Drills, Practice, and Patience

First and foremost, do not rush your progress! Many of the world’s top players have spent years honing their skills. Dedicated professionals may train for hours daily, and you may not have that much time to devote to the sport. That’s okay!

Focus on what you can control.

Master every skill and perfect your technique. You don’t need a professional coach or premium workshop, either! Find your preferred pickleball court and grab a friend! Run through drills and perfect your form with solo practice.

2. Workshops and Events

Now, that’s not to say you can never see professional coaches.

There are certified pickleball instructors for every skill level. Many work at your local pickleball club, but you can also find them online or at gyms. Most instructors can assign you a solid score for both of pickleball’s most common rating systems. Moreover, they’ll have advice about “turning pro” and finding worthwhile events.

However, instructors cost money! Professional-grade coaching has a hefty price tag. Nonetheless, you can find equally valuable lessons by seeking out free or reduced-cost group lessons at clubs, community events, and gyms.

(For the best results, subscribe to your local pickleball club’s weekly newsletter and keep your eyes peeled for training sessions.)

3. Tournaments and Meet-Ups

Once you’re confident, start attending local tournaments. And aim to win tournaments. Those victories are notches on your belt. You won’t start with matches against Ben Johns! You must first master your local tournaments. Then, as you rise above the rest, you can tackle pro tournaments.

Again, we recommend subscribing to local clubs and pickleball groups. Their weekly updates will list any pertinent tournaments, meet-ups, and professional matches in your area. You may also consider attending tournaments you can’t participate in, as watching more advanced players can help you further hone your skills.

The Costs of Being a Professional Pickleball Player

That being said, going pro isn’t a walk in the park! There’s more to professional pickleball than tournaments, fame, and acclaim! Like any career, professional pickleball requires dedication and tenacity. Add a sprinkle of resilience, too! You can’t wither away after every mistake.

Reserve some funds to begin your journey, as you won’t have the professional advantages of many acclaimed players. It’s awesome to qualify for a tournament, but it’s never fun to realize you don’t have the funds to play!

1. Travel Fees

Here’s the good news: If you’re in the United States, you’ll find pickleball competitions everywhere. They’re more concentrated near cities, but you can certainly find rural battlegrounds. However, international matches are less common.

Regardless, you’ll eventually have to travel to reach an event.

2. Contest Fees

Additionally, players must often pay an entry fee to participate in a competition. The exact price varies. Many local tournaments are low-cost events with fees as low as $20. As you rise through the ranks, you’ll see increasing fees. Many mid-tier events are $50–$100, and high-level competition often comes with a $100 or more price tag.

These fees cover the cost of the venue and any associated public permits. Thus, events at local parks are often cheaper. The court is already established, after all! Private events are more expensive. Sometimes, additional funds will be set aside and donated to charity. Either way, you must account for these fees.

Professionals often cover these fees with advance payments from sponsors. However, as a newcomer, you won’t have that advantage! You must forge your own success.

3. Additional Costs

Finally, you’ll want to consider additional costs, such as:

• Coaching: Again, this is not mandatory. Sufficiently driven players can take their own skills to a whole new level with persistent practice and dedication. Nonetheless, a certified instructor can ease your transition to competitive play. Many of these professionals are licensed by USA Pickleball or the PPA, making them valuable resources for accessing the world of professional pickleball.
• Emergencies: Despite its gentle reputation, pickleball — like any sport — has risks. Reserve funds for injuries and emergencies. Hopefully, you’ll never touch that money. However, you’ll want that nest egg if you need it!
• Equipment: Even the best pickleball equipment wears out. Money can’t buy indestructible paddles, shoes, and nets. Moreover, your consistent practice will lead to increased wear. Mitigate those effects by setting aside funds for replacements. Remember, too, that you don’t need the most expensive options to succeed!
• Memberships: Like coaching, a club membership is not a necessity. You can achieve success through sheer willpower! However, a worthwhile pickleball club grants access to clean courts and plenty of challenges. You’ll meet new people, play against all skill levels, and pursue potential professional connections.

Become a Pickleball Professional

It’s a lot of work, but every dream is worth chasing!

That’s why we’re here. At Pickle Goddesses, we believe in the power of pickleball. We know the sport has the potential to change lives and empower others — particularly women! It doesn’t matter if you’re playing for fun or shooting for pro tournaments! Everyone is welcome to learn more.

So, browse the rest of the blog and learn more about America’s fastest-growing sport, and share this post to encourage an aspiring pickleball professional.