Inside the Life of a Traveling Pickleball Pro: Gina Cilento on Grit, Growth & Finding Balance

There’s nothing glamorous about bad hotel lighting and a tournament call time of 7:30 a.m., but Gina Cilento wouldn’t trade it. She’s been a senior pro on the APP Tour and National Pickleball League for six years, teaching camps, competing across the country, and building a following as one of the sport’s most memorable personalities. With her trusty travel pillow, earplugs, and sleepy time tea always packed, Gina has learned that success on the road is about far more than what shows up in the win column.

The Itinerary Life

Gina and her fan club.

For most touring pros, travel is relentless. Gina’s peers often hop from one tournament to the next without pause, sometimes hitting 30+ events a year.

“They’re living and breathing pickleball,” she said. “I love it—but I’ve built my schedule to include more than just the game.”

Gina plays a mix of APP events, sanctioned tournaments, and NPL weekends, balancing it all with teaching clinics and running a facility near her home in Wisconsin. While some players rely on full-time sponsors or personal wealth, others hustle with side jobs or pay their own way to compete. It’s a lifestyle that demands structure—and stamina.

The Perks (and Pressure)

There are moments that make the chaos worth it. Gina’s played at jaw-dropping venues—from Montecito Country Club to Montego Bay—and she lights up talking about her cheer squad of nearly 20 fans showing up to support her at a Florida tournament.

But it’s not always scenic. She’s also found herself in a Houston motel surrounded by police activity and unexpected neighbors.

“You don’t always know what you’re walking into,” she said. “I stay as close as I can to the venue. But it’s hit or miss.”

Despite that, she’s still struck by the magic.

“Even when I’m just teaching, I stop and think, ‘Wow, how cool is this?’ I get to do this for a living. I hit a ball and people cheer.”

What People Don’t See

Behind the scenes, pro pickleball isn’t all palm trees and post-match toasts. Players budget down to the day, stack clinics around tournaments to offset travel, and rely on everything from team stipends to paddle sponsorships to get by.

And while younger players often bounce from one high-energy event to the next, senior pros like Gina are learning to listen to their bodies. After years of grinding, she’s stepping back this summer—opting out of tournaments in July and August.

“It caught up to me. I’m trying to work smarter now,” she said.

What happens after the match matters just as much as what happens on court. For Gina, the physical toll adds up fast..

“I get so jacked up on adrenaline, I can push through anything. But after? I crash. That’s what people don’t see.”

Community on the Road

Still, the sense of belonging keeps her coming back. From themed NPL dinners to casual hotel pow-wows, the bonds between players run deep.

“It’s a little like spring break, all the time,” she laughed. “But it’s also really special. Everyone’s from somewhere different, but we’re all chasing the same thing.”

She travels with a handler to stay organized (and honestly, to help find her phone). She skips the parties and prioritizes downtime. Her comfort kit includes an eye mask, earplugs, and a white noise app–small comforts that make life on the road feel a little more like home.

Advice for the Aspiring

To those dreaming of taking their game on the road, Gina offers this:

“Practice more than you play. Find a partner you have chemistry with. And pick tournaments that suit your strengths—indoor, outdoor, whatever it is.”

The road can be thrilling, but also brutal. And while many players are quick to call themselves pros, Gina’s advice is to prove it—by showing up, playing sanctioned tournaments, and grinding until the results speak for themselves.

Looking Ahead

Gina doesn’t see herself quitting anytime soon, but her priorities are shifting.

“I’ve done the medals and the rankings. Now, I want to bring joy to other people.”

Now, she’s choosing projects that spark connection and bring her joy, whether on court or in the community. 

“I used to think I was really independent. But I’ve learned I’m more of a homebody than I thought,” she said. “Still, I wouldn’t trade this. I love people. I love the game. And I’ll keep showing up, as long as I’m still enjoying it.”

You can follow along on Gina’s journey by following here on Instagram.