PRO-file
Behind the Scenes with Pro
KYLE
By Alice Tym
YATES
Home : Ft . Myers , Florida Age : 27
Marital Status : Single Profession : Professional pickleball player
Rating : 6.5 Favorite Tournament : Seattle Metro
You were one of the early stars of pickleball . What changes have you witnessed ? The biggest changes I see are the new names coming into the sport and others fading away . My priority now is more on the business end of pickleball and teaching . I train less and play fewer tournaments these days .
What is your best shot ? I pride myself on my dinking ability , my soft game . I work toward the kitchen line and keep the points under control .
Do you prefer singles , men ’ s doubles or mixed doubles ? I prefer men ’ s doubles because it ’ s the most even and most tactical . All four players are relatively equal , and you have limited options . Mixed doubles is more chaotic ; I have to play more aggressively . In men ’ s doubles I play smart and disciplined .
What is your favorite tournament ? It has changed over the years . Now it ’ s the Seattle Metro because it was smaller , people were excited , and it had an atmosphere of fun .
Are regional styles of play developing across the country ? It ’ s evening out now . A few years ago , it was Florida dinkers , and the northwest played a faster style . There are pockets of tennis players now , but the level of play overall has risen .
Who would you like to see sponsor pickleball ? Personally , I would like to see Gatorade as a sponsor .
What is your personal motto ? “ Have some fun with it .” I first started playing for fun , then I won the Open . I just enjoyed playing . I loved playing . Now sharing with other people is more important .
How do you train ? I am more mature than I used to be . I don ’ t play rec games . I only drill . I do drops and dinks and play a lot of skinny singles . I ride a bike and swim .
What is your favorite alltime movie ? “ The Good , the Bad , and the Ugly .” My grandmother loved westerns . I spent a lot of time with her , so I grew up watching with her .
Who has been the greatest influence in your life ? My grandmother . Growing up , my sister was older and my mom worked a lot . My grandmother would ride with me to the pickleball courts and take care of me . After she had a stroke , I took care of her .
What country would you most like to visit and teach pickleball ? Costa Rica . I ’ m an avid surfer — I was there for two weeks in April .
Describe your perfect day . Paddle out to surf in the morning , have breakfast , play pickleball , lunch , nap , get together with friends , paddle out again , maybe hike and play a little golf . •