Jessie Irvine’s Rise to the Top of Pickleball

Some athletes are born knowing exactly what sport they’ll play for life. For Jessie Irvine, that sport was supposed to be tennis. She grew up training for a professional tennis career, competing at a high level, and dedicating years to perfecting her game.

But life had other plans.

Chronic injuries forced Jessie to step away from tennis in her late teens—an unthinkable reality for someone whose identity was so deeply tied to the sport. So, she pivoted. She studied at UCLA, stayed connected to the game through coaching, and found fulfillment in helping others improve their skills. But something was missing.

Then, in late 2018, a friend suggested she try pickleball.

At first, it was just an experience – a way to stay active. But by early 2019, something clicked.

“I decided to take it more seriously and play tournaments,” she said. “And that was the beginning of me playing professional pickleball.”

Since stepping onto the pickleball court competitively in 2019, Jessie has climbed the ranks to become one of the sport’s elite players. Now ranked among the Top 10 players in the world, she competes on the PPA Tour, facing off against some of the best in the game. Pickleball has transformed in just a few years, evolving from a niche sport with small prize pools to a thriving professional circuit with major sponsorship, six-figure earnings, and a global fanbase.

Why Pickleball? The Unexpected Draw

For Jessie, pickleball started as a physical lifeline—a sport she could actually play without pain. But what kept her coming back was the strategy.

“It’s like interactive chess,” she explains. “There’s so much strategy to it that it’s never boring.”

And unlike tennis, where singles reigns supreme, pickleball is built around doubles and mixed doubles, fostering a stronger sense of community.

“In tennis, you’re competing alone most of the time,” she says. “In pickleball, you need partners, and that makes the sport more social and friendly.”

The culture of pickleball felt completely different from what she knew in tennis. Rather than the solitary grind of competitive singles, pickleball offered a welcoming, team-driven atmosphere.

A Vision for the Future of Pickleball

As pickleball continues to explode in popularity, Jessie sees an opportunity to shape the sport’s future. While the pro scene is growing rapidly, she believes the real key to expanding the game is getting more kids involved.

“We need to create pickleball programs for elementary and middle schools,” she said. “That’s how we push high schools and colleges to include it in their programs. It starts young.”

She’s already seeing signs of progress. Tournaments now include junior events, and colleges are beginning to form club teams. But she hopes to see it go even further—team sports in schools, scholarships for college athletes, and a clear path for young players to rise through the ranks.

Giving Back to the Game

Pickleball has been widely recognized as one of the most accessible sports out there, but Jessie wants to make sure it stays that way. She has been involved with Pickleball Cares, a nonprofit that introduces the game to kids in underserved communities, and she’s also hosted clinics that support diversity and minority participation in the sport.

At its core, pickleball is meant to bring people together. That’s what Jessie loves most about it.

“It’s a game designed for everyone—to play, be active, have fun, and be competitive,” she said.

That’s why she always makes time for fans, whether it’s answering questions, giving advice, or taking photos. She knows how much the sport has given her, and she’s always looking for ways to give back.

A Champion’s Mindset

Jessie Irvine celebrating with her partner, Gabe Tardio, at the PPA Utah Open.

Jessie defines success by how she plays, not just by the results.

“My family has always been my mentor,” she says. “They’ve always cared more about how something is done than the actual result. Win or lose, if you give your best effort and try to do the right things, then at the end of the day, you have no regrets.”

That mindset fuels her game. Her drive comes from the challenge, the competition, and the love of the game – not just the trophies.

Her approach? Stay authentic, play fair, and work hard.

That mindset has made her a respected figure in the pickleball world – and along the way, she picked up the nickname ‘Space Buns’ for her signature hairstyle. No matter the stake, she brings the same energy and focus to every match, guided by a simple motto: ‘Too blessed to be stressed.’

Jessie Irvine’s impact on pickleball goes beyond competition, shaping a sport that welcomes everyone.

If you’d like to follow along with Jessie’s journey on the PPA Tour and her work through Pickleball Cares, you can follow her on Instagram at @jessie.i.irvine.