Erik Lange — Sport Oregon Faces

 

From Ping Pong to Pickleball: How Erik Lange Became a Pro

Erik Lange grew up playing racket sports. As a child, he would play ping pong with his dad in their garage. He played competitive tennis throughout his high school years. Now in his adult life, Lange has become a professional pickleball player.

The 42-year-old Oregon resident has tapped into his racket skills developed as a kid to excel on the pro pickleball circuit. However, transitioning from tennis to pickleball didn't happen overnight.

Discovering Pickleball Through His Job

After competing in junior tennis tournaments, Lange did not end up playing college tennis. He missed the competitive aspect of racket sports from his younger years.

About five years ago, an opportunity arose for Lange to reinvent his racket sports career. He started working for HEAD Penn Racquet Sports, which manufactures pickleball paddles.

As part of his job as a regional sales manager, Lange needed to learn the pickleball sport and market HEAD paddles to local stores. This exposure motivated him to start hitting the courts himself to play pickleball.

From Novice to Pro Player

At first, Lange was a recreational player, just learning the sport by playing games with others locally. But his skills progressed rapidly, as pickleball came naturally with his tennis background.

Within a couple years, Lange was entering regional tournaments. His continuous practice and drilling paid off, as he soon gained attention in the competitive pickleball world. His tennis foundation gives him an edge as a power player with a big wingspan.

Now as a professional player, Lange competes in high-level tournaments across the country as part of the Major League Pickleball circuit. He uses his reach and power to intimidate opponents at the net. But he's also rounding out his game by improving his defensive skills.

Balancing Life and Pro Pickleball Dreams

A busy family life adds challenges as Lange tries to excel as a pro pickleball player. He's been married for 20 years and has two kids, while working full-time for HEAD. Finding time for adequate training and travel for tournaments is difficult.

Somehow though, Lange is making it work thus far. His family supports his professional pickleball aspirations. He also exercises regularly with his dog to stay fit when he's off the court. Lange remains determined to keep pushing himself to stay competitive in the growing sport.

The Exponential Growth of Pickleball

Many fans and athletic competitors like Lange have caught the pickleball bug in recent years. The sport's popularity has absolutely exploded, with seemingly unstoppable momentum.

Drawing Diverse Athletic Backgrounds

Major League Pickleball (MLP) attracts professional players from various sports like tennis, badminton, and even hockey. Well-known retired athletes are joining the MLP ownership teams, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Their high-profile involvement generates more excitement and attention for the blossoming league.

Easy Accessibility Hooks New Players

Pickleball has a low barrier to entry compared to many other sports. The basic equipment is inexpensive and games can be played on various court surfaces. Beginners often find quick success when they start playing, since the rules and fundamentals are relatively easy to pick up. This accessibility helps explain the skyrocketing participation numbers.

More Events and New Facilities

National pickleball tournament circuits like the PPA Tour and APP Tour are packing their schedules with more and more events annually. To meet demand, pickleball-specific facilities and courts are appearing in communities everywhere. The sport's national governing body has set an ambitious goal of 40 million US pickleball players by 2030.

Based on current exponential growth patterns, reaching that target seems like a realistic possibility. America is rediscovering racket sports through pickleball!

Conclusion: Lange Embracing Pickleball's Growth

In conclusion, Erik Lange has successfully translated his lifelong racket skills into a second sports career as a professional pickleball player. He progressed quickly from learning the sport to competing on the pro circuit.

Pickleball's rapid expansion provides more opportunities for athletes like Lange. He is excited to help grow the sport during its rise from niche status to mainstream prominence. Expect Lange to continue improving his game and chasing titles for years to come.