Road to Pro Guide - by Bobbi Oshiro

Just like in any professional sport, going pro in pickleball requires immense time, dedication, and discipline. You have to treat it like a full-time job—balancing a traditional 9-to-5 alongside a serious pickleball career is no longer realistic. 

A look at the Top 20 DUPR Rankings in both Men’s and Women’s Doubles shows nearly every athlete has left conventional office work to fully commit to the sport (with the amazing exception of the Kawamoto twins, who still work full-time for the NCAA while competing at the highest level!).

Many professional players also build financial stability through pickleball by creating educational content, becoming influencers, launching podcasts, and teaching camps or clinics.

But hey, if life has taught us anything, it’s that anything is possible with enough passion…and maybe a really good third-shot drop.

Thinking About Going Pro? Here’s How to Get Started

Training & Practices

• Dedicate 20+ hours per week to on-court and off-court work.
  
• A typical Monday to Friday includes 3 - 4 hours of training per day, split into drills and match play.
  
• Saturdays and Sundays are often tournament days - if you’re not competing, take at least one day to rest and recover.
  
• Don’t forget your off-court fitness and recovery - they’re just as important as practicing.
  

Here’s what a sample week might look like:

Equipment

Be sure to check out what the pros are using. The most trusted paddle brands tend to be the ones that are fully invested in pickleball, not just repurposing tennis tech. Companies like JOOLA, Paddletek, Proton, Franklin and Selkirk focus on the sport and support their pro players, leading the way in innovation and performance.

Competitive Tournament Pathway

A perfect training schedule must go hand in hand with a tailored tournament plan. Choosing the right tournaments is essential to raising your pickleball ratings and gaining valuable experience. If you’re serious about going pro, start targeting these key events:

• Collegiate Pickleball
  
• Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) DUPR 20 & 22
  
• PPA Challenger and Tour

•  Major League Pickleball (MLP)
  
• APP Tour
  
• International Tours: Global Sports, PPA Asia, Vietnam Tour

Build a Personal Brand

• Establish a strong social media presence on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.
  
• Decide how you want to portray yourself to fans, brands, and the community.
  
• Network with other pro players, influencers, and industry insiders. Relationships are key.
  

Track your Progress

If you want to go pro, you need to set clear goals and track your progress. Focus on your plan and trust the process. Identify areas for improvement using the DUPR app, and make film study part of your routine, where you watch top players to analyze patterns, strategies, and shot selections.

With dedication, smart planning, and the right resources, you can set yourself on the path to becoming a professional pickleball player, and maybe one day see your name climbing the DUPR rankings.