Pablo Tellez, a former collegiate tennis player, found himself drawn to pickleball during a visit to a tennis shop in Naples, Florida. The sport of pickleball has been experiencing significant growth in the United States, with a 51.8% increase in players from 2022 to 2023 and a growth rate of 223.5% since 2020. Tellez is now a professional pickleball player, representing the Brooklyn Aces in Major League Pickleball (MLP). He believes that pickleball’s popularity is due to its fun and social nature, as well as its ease of picking up compared to other traditional racket sports. Tellez was initially drawn to pickleball after seeing a tournament ad promising a $100,000 prize, but quickly realized the skill level required to excel in the sport.
Tellez’s experience with pickleball has been transformative, as he has transitioned from a casual player to a professional athlete in just two years. He acknowledges that his initial losses in tournaments only fueled his desire to improve and take the sport more seriously. Playing for the Aces, a team owned by LOTTO and supported by celebrities like Kevin Durant, Drake, and Michael B. Jordan, Tellez is confident in pickleball’s potential for continued growth. Many notable investors, including LeBron James and Tom Brady, have recognized the sport’s rising popularity and potential for further expansion. Tellez believes that pickleball’s engaging and social aspects, combined with its competitive nature, make it appealing to a wide range of players, from novices to professionals.
Tellez’s partnership with LOTTO, a brand he admired as a child for its soccer and tennis products, has been a dream come true for him. He believes that the brand’s involvement in pickleball will help raise the sport’s profile even further. Tellez encourages anyone who is curious about pickleball to give it a try, promising that they will quickly understand why so many people have been drawn to the sport. He highlights pickleball’s interactive, social, and workout-based elements, which cater to a variety of preferences and interests among players. Tellez emphasizes that pickleball offers something for everyone, whether they are training for competition, seeking a good workout, or simply looking to meet new people.
Pickleball’s increasing popularity has attracted the attention of not only sports enthusiasts but also celebrities and investors who see the sport’s potential for growth. Through platforms like Major League Pickleball (MLP) and partnerships with well-known brands, professional athletes like Tellez are helping to elevate pickleball to new heights. Tellez believes that the sport’s combination of fun, social interaction, and competitive spirit makes it a unique and appealing option for athletes and enthusiasts of all levels. As pickleball continues to expand its reach and attract new players, Tellez remains optimistic about the sport’s future and its potential to become even more mainstream in the coming years.
