An Interview with Pickleball Pioneer Kyle Yates
Upbeat Discussion Reveals Keys to Success On and Off the Court
Pickleball has exploded in popularity over the past decade, growing from a niche sport played mainly by retirees to a global phenomenon embraced by over 50 million players. As the “fastest growing sport” in America, pickleball’s rapid rise is creating opportunities for athletes and entrepreneurs while bringing people of all ages together through a shared love of the game.
Kyle Yates has lived this evolution firsthand. As one of pickleball’s first professional players and a seven-time USA National Champion, Yates has pioneered the path to making a career in this up-and-coming sport. He shared his journey during an upbeat interview on the popular Passion and Pickleball podcast hosted by former pro player Sarah Weiss.
Weiss kicked off the episode by introducing Yates as a long-time role model who has “seen so much development and evolution in this sport.” She described his impressive resume as a top player who has “turned something that lights your soul on fire into something very incredible.”
1. 09:25 - Introducing guest Kyle Yates, pro pickleball player and pioneer
Yates humbly downplayed his accomplishments, stating “pickleball kind of spilled out of control for me, it fell into my lap and just never went away.” This passion for the sport shone through as he recounted his origin story.
2. 10:34 - Kyle got into pickleball after being introduced by his uncle
In 2012, while Yates was in high school, his uncle invited him to try pickleball at a local recreation center. Yates “laughed and said no thanks” to the silly-sounding sport. But his competitive drive ultimately got the best of him.
3. 11:44 - Being beaten by older players motivated Kyle to improve
After his uncle beat him in his first game, Yates demanded a rematch. He became “hooked” on improving after constantly losing to players decades older. The fun, welcoming community kept him coming back until he surpassed his original competitors.
4. 13:38 - Kyle played tennis and other sports growing up
Yates played mostly soccer and some tennis growing up, getting introduced to tennis by a high school friend. He began competing in high school tournaments, temporarily retiring from tennis after graduation to focus on academics at the University of Florida.
5. 14:48 - Kyle practiced at The Villages retirement community
On weekends during college, Yates would visit The Villages retirement community which boasted hundreds of pickleball courts and high-level players. Practicing with the country’s top doubles team accelerated his improvement.
6. 15:29 - Overview of Kyle's pro pickleball achievements
After humbly downplaying his resume, Yates succinctly listed his achievements at Weiss’ request. Highlights include:
- Pickleball world #1 from 2016-2019
- Won the first 4 US Open championships
- 7 time USA National Champion
He noted gratefulness for getting into the pro circuit early, before an influx of ex-tennis pros arrived on the scene.
7. 16:40 - Kyle has a dynamic, creative playing style
When asked about developing his unorthodox, dynamic playing style, Yates stated:
“I think a lot of it started with not being a fantastic tennis player...I’ve had to be pretty creative. My volleys aren’t as pretty as some of these tennis players, my ground strokes aren’t as pretty...but I like to think they’re pretty effective.”
He attributes his scrappiness to not having the size of many competitors, forcing him to play intelligently.
8. 17:51 - For pros: Consistency and minimizing errors is key
Weiss asked for advice Yates would give aspiring professionals. He stressed that consistency and minimizing errors separates the top players more than athleticism or shot-making.
“Focus on fundamentals, focus on consistency and not try to be as flashy...that’ll take you a lot further,” Yates advised.
9. 18:33 - Advise aspiring pros to focus on fundamentals and consistency
Continuing his advice for would-be pros, Yates broke down the key differences between amateur and professional pickleball:
“The pros are the pros because they really just do not miss...Most points are lost not won.”
While amateurs focus on hitting flashy winners, pros excel by making very few mistakes and opportunistically striking when opponents falter.
10. 19:53 - Skinny singles (half court) is Kyle's favorite drill
When asked about favorite drills, Yates advocated for “skinny singles” - essentially half-court singles that provides lots of ball touches. This hones doubles skills and fundamentals through sheer repetition.
11. 20:51 - Good chemistry on and off-court makes a good doubles partner
Regarding choosing doubles partners, Yates looks first for personal chemistry off the court. He believes having fun and supporting each other translates directly to better on-court connections and performance.
12. 22:00 - Be a good partner - communicate, stick to patterns
Yates focuses on communication, sticking to patterns, and putting his partner in positions to succeed. He resists over-hitting and stays consistent to set his partner up rather than taking high-risk shots.
13. 23:40 - Kyle has enjoyed partnerships with friends
Some of Yates’ favorite partnerships have been with friends he connects with off the court as well, leading to relaxed and supportive teamwork. His 2022 US Open win paired him with close friend André DaCosta.
14. 25:15 - Siblings as partners can be challenging
Yates has also partnered with his sister, with mixed results. They thrive during wins but bicker and clash when losing, so must be selective about when they join up.
15. 26:24 - Kyle quickly progressed to a 5.0 skill level
Due to starting pickleball early and having an athletic background, Yates quickly reached a 5.0 skill level compared to the older beginners he faced. Practicing with experts accelerated his improvement from there.
16. 27:20 - Seeing improvement and progressing is addicting
For Yates, visibly improving his game over time became addicting. He cautioned that players inevitably hit plateaus, but should focus on refining weaknesses rather than getting complacent at peaks. Progress fuels motivation.
17. 28:27 - Kyle decided to go pro after pickleball was on TV in 2016
In 2016, when pickleball was broadcast on national TV for the first time during the US Open, Yates witnessed the sport’s potential. This motivated him to start practicing more deliberately and launch his professional career.
18. 30:21 - Kyle enjoys sharing and growing pickleball
Beyond competing, Yates relishes opportunities to spread pickleball to new communities. He highlighted the transformational impact pickleball can have on participants’ physical and mental health.
19. 31:45 - Kyle's uncle who overcame a stroke inspires him
Yates called his uncle his biggest inspiration. After a debilitating stroke, doctors claimed he may never walk normally or play sports again. Yet he recovered to medal in the US Open just years later, exemplifying perseverance.
20. 33:22 - Kyle enjoys surfing as an escape from pickleball
To avoid burnout, Yates relishes activities like surfing that provide an escape from pickleball’s all-consuming nature. This provides balance, reflection and a wider life perspective.
21. 34:46 - Kyle is opening indoor pickleball facilities
Yates recently moved to Colorado to open indoor pickleball facilities, allowing him to promote the sport he loves through a new business venture. He named supply-demand imbalances and noise complaints as factors in choosing to launch indoor rather than outdoor facilities.
22. 36:08 - Pickleball facilities help with noise complaints
Citing Colorado communities’ issues with noise complaints from outdoor pickleball courts in residential areas, Yates saw a business opportunity in indoor facilities. By containing noise, indoor courts enable continued play where outdoor facilities risk shutdowns.
23. 37:32 - Pickleball has massive demand vs low supply
More broadly, Yates referenced the massive unsatisfied demand for pickleball courts compared to the currently limited supply. Providing more places to play alleviates frustrations while capturing this built-in market.
24. 39:50 - It's nice not being the sole focus as more pros emerge
With pickleball’s expansion, Yates appreciated losing the spotlight as more top competitors emerged. He never sought fame, just pursuing the enjoyment of competitions. Less isolation at the top enables more normal interactions.
25. 41:39 - Pickleball pro landscape is currently chaotic
Asked about the chaotic pro landscape with warring leagues, Yates called it the “Wild Wild West” but remains optimistic about opportunities amidst the chaos. He focuses on performance rather than politics.
26. 42:35 - Chaos shows interest in growing the sport
While messy for players, Yates views the turmoil as signaling substantial interest and investments in growing pickleball. This creates options despite difficulty navigating.
27. 43:55 - COVID was a major challenge, halted Kyle's career
COVID severely disrupted Yates’ career as a prohibitive #1 player, with year-plus shutdowns of competitions and training. Returning from hiatus, he suddenly faced new elite rivals and a streak of defeats after years of dominance.
28. 45:06 - Kyle overcame by focusing on enjoyment over results
To overcome his post-COVID setbacks, Yates reframed his mindset to play for fun rather than results. This reduced pressure and revitalized his passion. Outcomes improved after rediscovering motivation.
29. 46:41 - Enjoy the journey, results will follow
Yates stressed pickleball’s life lesson of focusing on the journey rather than the destination. As exemplified by his comeback from COVID struggles, maintaining joy and perspective yields sustained success.
Throughout the 48-minute discussion, Weiss and Yates maintained an upbeat tone while delving into pickleball lessons on and off the court. Yates shared both triumphs and challenges on his path to becoming a standalone professional in a fledgling sport.
Above all, his passion for pickleball itself shone through. Along with an estimated 50 million players worldwide, Yates exemplifies the inspiration, community and delight in improving that make pickleball so magnetic. For an upbeat dive into life as a professional player, the conversation is a must-listen for aspiring competitors and casual fans alike.
09:25 🥎 Introducing guest Kyle Yates, pro pickleball player and pioneer
10:34 🏓 Kyle got into pickleball after being introduced by his uncle
11:44 🆚 Being beaten by older players motivated Kyle to improve
13:38 🏐 Kyle played tennis and other sports growing up
14:48 🏡 Kyle practiced at The Villages retirement community
15:29 🏆 Overview of Kyle's pro pickleball achievements
16:40 🤹 Kyle has a dynamic, creative playing style
17:51 🧠 For pros: Consistency and minimizing errors is key
18:33 🎾 Advise aspiring pros to focus on fundamentals and consistency
19:53 🥎 Skinny singles (half court) is Kyle's favorite drill
20:51 🤝 Good chemistry on and off-court makes a good doubles partner
22:00 🙋♂️ Be a good partner - communicate, stick to patterns
23:40 🤝 Kyle has enjoyed partnerships with friends
25:15 🧑🤝🧑 Siblings as partners can be challenging
26:24 🥈 Kyle quickly progressed to a 5.0 skill level
27:20 📈 Seeing improvement and progressing is addicting
28:27 📺 Kyle decided to go pro after pickleball was on TV in 2016
30:21 🤝 Kyle enjoys sharing and growing pickleball
31:45 💪 Kyle's uncle who overcame a stroke inspires him
33:22 🏖 Kyle enjoys surfing as an escape from pickleball
34:46 🏓 Kyle is opening indoor pickleball facilities
36:08 🏡 Pickleball facilities help with noise complaints
37:32 💰 Pickleball has massive demand vs low supply
39:50 🎾 It's nice not being the sole focus as more pros emerge
41:39 🔀 Pickleball pro landscape is currently chaotic
42:35 🤝 Chaos shows interest in growing the sport
43:55 🦠 COVID was a major challenge, halted Kyle's career
45:06 🧘♂️ Kyle overcame by focusing on enjoyment over results
46:41 🎉 Enjoy the journey, results will follow
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