Kyle Yates

Kyle was first introduced to pickleball by his uncle, Mike Welter, while he was in high school. As an avid tennis player, his transition to pickleball was fairly quick. In 2014, Kyle played in his first USAPA National tournament and took gold the very first day in the men’s doubles 19+.

Two years later, he decided to put his education at the University of Florida on hold in order to dedicate himself full-time to developing pickleball. Soon after, he won the grand slam of men’s pro doubles by winning the US Open, Tournament of Champions, and the USAPA Nationals all in 2016.

Since then, he has won six US Open pro doubles titles (with 4 different partners), two TOC pro doubles titles, and two USAPA Nationals pro doubles titles, among others. In 2018, he was named the WPF world #1 ranked doubles player.

When asked about his passion for pickleball: “I love to compete and test myself, physically and mentally, but I think what I love most about the sport as a whole, is the opportunity to travel and meet so many great friends. This sport has the most genuine, and interesting people.”

Kyle has had an impressive 2019 so far earning gold across the globe. His medal count included gold in men’s and mixed doubles at the Florida Grand Slam, US Open, Beer City Open and the French Open. He also captured gold medals in men’s doubles at the SoCal Classic, Vail Open and Tournament of Champions. Throw in gold in men’s singles and mixed doubles at the Spanish Open and a mixed doubles gold at the Chicago Open and you have an incredible run and the year is not even over yet.

Kyle and his partner, Ben Johns, will be looking forward to defending their 2018 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships Pro doubles title.