Michelle Esquivel’s pickleball journey: from pro to mentor

Michelle Esquivel has four PPA medals and twenty-four APP medals to her name, but ask her what she's proudest of and she won't start with the trophies. She'll start with the players she's coached who walked onto a court unsure of themselves and walked off believing they belonged there.

That's the side of Michelle Esquivel you'll meet at Rally for Her; not just a former pro, but a coach, mentor, and community builder who has spent years making sure other women get the same shot she did.

‍A pro career that spanned five MLP teams

Esquivel's competitive resume reads like a highlight reel of women's pickleball over the past several years:

• 4-time PPA medalist in singles and women's doubles
• 24-time APP medalist in women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles
• Major League Pickleball appearances for the Florida Smash, Utah Black Diamonds, Chicago Slice, Nashville Chefs, and California Black Bears

One story stands out. Esquivel first played alongside Dani-Elle Townsend in MLP Australia on the New Zealand Hustle, before Townsend became a breakout star for the Dallas Flash. Years later, the two reunited for Esquivel's most recent pro medal, taking women's doubles at the PPA New Zealand Open in 2025.

Why women in pickleball matters to her

Ask Esquivel why she's built her second career around women's pickleball, and the answer isn't about competition.

"Women's participation in pickleball is about so much more than playing a game. It's about building a community where every woman feels welcomed, valued, and empowered," she said.

She sees it play out on the court constantly: women challenging each other, encouraging each other, celebrating each other's wins. A safe space to try something new, step outside a comfort zone, and, above all, have fun. "We are stronger together," Esquivel said. "When women support women, the possibilities are endless."

Building Ultimate Pickleball Academy

In 2020, Esquivel became the first female pro to land sponsorships outside of paddle companies, signing with apparel brands Faye and Florie and Lucky In Love, both women-founded labels that matched the vision she was building for herself.

That same year, she launched Ultimate Pickleball Academy alongside a partner. Since then, the academy has run clinics in more than 20 states and taught thousands of players around the world. Ultimate Pickleball is now based in Southwest Florida, and Esquivel keeps building her community online at @pickleballwithmichelle and @ultimatepickleballacademy.

How DUPR fits into her coaching

For Esquivel, ratings aren't just numbers, they're a coaching tool.

"DUPR has been instrumental in helping players understand where they are in their development and focus on building the right skills for their level," she said. Knowing a student's DUPR rating lets her build structured, appropriately challenging lessons, and gives players a clear starting point and measurable goals.

She shares her own DUPR rating with students too. "I believe transparency and credibility matter," she said. "It gives players confidence that they're learning from someone who is committed to continually improving alongside them." 

Her advice for the next generation

Esquivel's advice to a younger girl starting out in pickleball is simple: don't lose the joy chasing the results.

"Play with confidence, play with joy, and never forget to have fun," she said. Work hard, challenge yourself, and don't be afraid to make mistakes, but remember why you started. Celebrate the small wins. Every match is a chance to grow, and to inspire someone else watching from the sideline.

What she's looking forward to at Rally For Her

For Esquivel, the appeal of Rally For Her isn't the pickleball, it's the people.

"I love hearing people's stories, sharing experiences, and discovering the unique journeys that brought each of us to this amazing sport," she said. "It's not just about the game, it's about the people we meet, the stories we share, and the lives we inspire along the way."

The bottom line

Michelle Esquivel's medals tell one story. The players she's coached, mentored, and welcomed into the sport tell a bigger one. If her journey inspires you to find your own place in the pickleball community, take the next step on your own court.

‍