The Rise of Pickleball's First True Professional
How Kyle Yates went from a Florida teen laughing at a silly sport to becoming the world's top player and elevating pickleball to new heights
They say timing is everything. For pickleball star Kyle Yates, his introduction to the fledgling sport in 2011 and subsequent embrace of its potential perfectly positioned him for a meteoric rise to fame as pickleball's first true professional and world #1 player.
As Yates recounts on a recent episode of Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition, hosted by former pro tennis player and burgeoning pickleball enthusiast Kaitlin Miller, it all started with family. Yates' uncle was the first to invite the then high school sophomore to try out pickleball at a local Florida recreation center back in 2011.
0:00, How did Pickleball find you, Yates laughs as he recalls his initial skepticism at even the name of the sport - "pickleball? No thanks!" But after finally relenting and hitting some balls with his uncle, Yates was hooked on the fun of yet another racket sport. With a background in tennis, racketball, squash and more, Yates took naturally to pickleball and embraced the challenge when his uncle beat him their first time out. It lit a competitive fire in 15-year old Yates that still burns brightly today.
1:40, Taking it to the next level, Yates started entering local Florida tournaments, traveling across the state on weekends to find better competition while managing school, other sports, and somewhat embarrassed to even tell friends about his new passion. Success came quickly, even as Yates was usually the youngest in the player field. He realized pickleball could be more than a hobby when he claimed a medal at that first national tournament he entered in Arizona in 2014.
3:35, Back in the day, resources and courts were scarce, but Yates made do with what he had around him at school and back home. He never expected fame or fortune, just joy from playing his new favorite sport and seeing it progress from rec center lines painted on basketball courts to the first tournaments staged on actual pickleball courts.
5:01, University Of Florida, Yates managed to keep improving against older local players while enrolled at UF. He started traveling to national tournaments to find better competition, still without telling college friends what he was up to on all those mysterious weekend trips!
6:37, Going Full Time Pickleball - Family/Friends Perception, even as a teen, Yates set out to turn his passion into his profession, leaving school after a breakthrough gold medal at the 2016 US Open put him firmly on the map. While his family and friends questioned the wisdom of abandoning college studies, Yates felt fulfilled chasing his dream job instead of just a paycheck.
7:34, #1 Player In The World, through talent and commitment, Yates found himself ranked #1 in the world in doubles play by 2018. He downplays the fame, but admits struggling at times with the pressures that came with reputation and expectations.
9:03, Pressure, along with some criticism on social media, Yates also felt financial pressure to keep winning tournaments to keep affording his full-time pickleball lifestyle. Yet through it all, he stuck to his initial motivation - pure love of the sport.
11:01, Management Of The Attention, like any top athlete these days, Yates had to learn to take the good with the bad when it came to fans and detractors. He leaning on close family and friends when the criticism stung too harshly.
12:03, Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters, as pickleball expanded, Yates made friends with the next generation of rising standouts like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, whom he proudly watched develop into the current #1 ranked players. Yates is thrilled to see new faces taking the sport to the next level, even if it means knocking him from his top perch along the way!
14:50, Youth Success, Yates acknowledges getting into pickleball early before his would-be rivals gave him an advantage as the sport's first full-time professional. But now with youth training full-time and more financial support, the barrier to entry keeps rising.
15:29, Where is the sport going? Yates fully believes pickleball will unseat golf to become the #1 participation sport in America within a couple years. He's amazed at the progress in athleticism and quality of play as evidenced by jaw-dropping rallies and shots. Yates admits the sky is the limit for his beloved sport, even if he's not sure about mass appeal as a televised professional pastime.
But first, growing pains. As pickleball navigates organizational challenges around leagues and tournaments, Yates sees ample room for growth when it comes to professional opportunity. Still, he's thrilled to see friends and former rivals like Johns and Waters leading the sport into a bright future.
17:02, NCAA Sport, Yates enthusiastically endorses pickleball's inclusion in college athletics. He knows firsthand how scholarship opportunities shape young athletes' approach to sport. As pickleball is embraced on campuses across the country, introducing a pathway to higher education would incentivize even more youth engagement. And that bodes well for the amateur ranks.
18:37, Most memorable match or memory - out of all his impressive resume of pickleball accolades, Yates names winning gold with his sister Sarah as his proudest moment. Seeing her joy after injuries derailed his sister's own college athletic career gave Yates immense appreciation for the rare chance to compete alongside family.
19:55, US Open - as pickleball's highest profile tournament, Yates has witnessed the incredible transformation of the US Open from humble beginnings in 2016 to now holding matches in a gorgeous Naples, Florida complex. He counts playing there at night under the lights as one of his most vivid pickleball memories that will stick with him for a lifetime.
20:38, Super Star Family Of Athletes - while quick to downplay the contention of coming from a line of "superstars," Yates acknowledges being raised in an active household that played variety of sports instilled valuable lessons about effort, attitude, and personal fulfillment that helped shape his pickleball journey.
22:15, Teaching - The Picklr - as touring life has worn on Yates, he's recently embraced a new entrepreneurial opportunity to grow the game through premium indoor training facilities. His passion is now focused on sharing pickleball instruction and perspective with new generations, keeping him close to his first love.
23:46, Tournaments - while helping run and promote The Picklr, one of largest dedicated pickleball chains in the US, Yates knows his playing time is now more limited. But he still endeavors to compete selectively when time allows, always ready to answer the call for his sport. His proud playing days may be behind him, but it's still in his blood. (MxD Jigsaw Hawaii Open Jan 27, 2024)
24:55, Pickleball Club Franchises - the growth of indoor training complexes like The Picklr and long-time sponsor Pickleball Kingdom astonish Yates in retrospect. He never dreamed as a teen the sport would spawn such infrastructure so soon. But the financial backbone provided by these national chains showcase the value and upside today's entrepreneurs see in pickleball.
26:07, Advice - for aspiring professionals, Yates repeats the wisdom passed down from his father - be ready to go all in. Playing at the highest levels demands complete commitment, tireless work each day, and the support structure to make it happen. Know that for every hour you put in, the top players like Ben Johns are already putting in two. It's a full contact, full time commitment now to reach that coveted pro level.
27:48, Support System - Yates knows he couldn't have elevated his game without key local players pushing him, clinics helping him improve, and yes, sponsors providing financial assistance. Surround yourself with a team, on and off the court. And the more people in your corner genuinely invested in your success, the better.
29:12, What do most people don't know about you - Yates enjoys revealing his passion for activities that get him away from the grind, off the grid, and outdoors. In fact, given the choice, he'd rather have pursued professional surfing! But his surfing escapes to exotic locales and camping remain sacred retreats where he can recharge out of the public eye.
In the 12 years since Kyle Yates reluctantly gave pickleball a chance as a favor to his uncle, he's clearly leveraged impeccable timing and rare commitment to not just realizing personal athletic success, but elevating an emerging sport into today's sensation and tomorrow's phenomenon. While the coming years will reveal if pickleball reaches the heights of basketball, football, or yes, golf in the American consciousness, there's no denying the flag Yates planted as pickleball's trailblazing #1 heralded a new era.
What once seemed preposterous now seems inevitable, melting skepticism about "that silly sport with the funny name" one obsessed convert at a time thanks to pickleball's very own pioneer-in-chief.
- 0:00 How did Pickleball find you
- 1:40 Taking it to the next level
- 3:35 Back in the day
- 5:01 University Of Florida
- 6:37 Going Full Time Pickleball - Family/Friends Perception
- 7:34 #1 Player In The World
- 9:03 Pressure
- 11:01 Management Of The Attention
- 12:03 Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters
- 14:50 Youth Success
- 15:29 Where is the sport going? I truly believe pickleball will be the number one participation sport in the United States.
- 17:02 NCAA Sport
- 18:37 Most memorable match or memory
- 19:55 US Open
- 20:38 Super Star Family Of Athletes
- 22:15 Teaching - The Picklr
- 23:46 Tournaments
- 24:55 Pickleball Club Franchises
- 26:07 Advice
- 27:48 Support System
- 29:12 What do most people don't know about you
Pickleballin' Baller
Kyle Yates is a true pickleball trailblazer, From a Florida teen to superstar player. He picked up a paddle, began whackin' that ball, And soon he was beatin' opponents both short and tall.
When Kyle first heard of pickleball he said "no thanks a lot!" But once he started swingin' he just could not stop. He traveled all around to tourneys near and far, Smashin' his way up the pickleball star.
Now he's sharing his knowledge and passion galore, Teaching all ages the sport he adores. Though Kyle has stepped back from competing each day, He'll always be known as OG pickleballin' baller they say!
Rally on Kyle as you grow the game, Spreading pickleball fever is your claim to fame!
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