PLAYERS TO WATCH – GIGI LEMASTER

One of the leading pioneers in the sport of pickleball, Gigi LeMaster has been at the forefront of the meteoric growth of the sport.

A native of Belgium, Gigi began playing in 2010 and was on the cover of the very first issue of Pickleball Magazine. A Founding Member of the Surprise Pickleball Association in Arizona, Gigi has won numerous titles over the years in the Open and Senior Opens most notably, Senior Open Women’s Doubles and 45+ Women’s Doubles at the 2018 US Open, Senior Open Women’s Doubles at the 2017 USAPA National Championships and was a two-time gold medalist at an international competition in Finland, Canada & The Netherlands. “Our sport has exploded because of the USAPA Ambassador program as well as live streaming on social media and more media exposure in general. Younger players are continually taking up the sport which makes for a more exciting game to viewers,” said Gigi.

Most recently Gigi captured a gold medal in the Beer City Open in the Senior Pro women’s division.

A recent Pickleball Hall of Fame nominee and recipient of the Tommy Wong Service Award for her volunteer service within her community, Gigi is a USAPA Ambassador and a certified referee.  Gigi was also the Co-Tournament Director of the USAPA Nationals in 2012. “Moving our National Championship to Indian Wells is a major step towards pickleball being recognized as a serious sport and paving the way for one day having it be an Olympic sport.”

Come out to the https://usapickleballnationalchampionships.com and see all the action!