Meet Rachael James, a professional pickleball player from Detroit, MI! Rachael is known for her dynamic playing style and strategic abilities on the court. Having played tennis for over twenty years, Rachael competed semi-professionally and collegiately for the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill before transitioning to pickleball. Rachael now plays pickleball professionally on a full-time basis, regularly facing off against the best players in the world. She also spends her time teaching the sport to others while balancing her busy tournament schedule. Follow along and get to know Rachael a little bit more in this Q&A!

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How did you find pickleball and how has it changed your life?

I wanted to find an activity where I could bond with my mom and make new friends. We had our first pickleball lesson together at the Delray Tennis Center, and I instantly fell in love with the sport. Now, I have an amazing community of friends, a stronger bond with my mom, and a new profession!

What is your favorite memory from your career so far?

I have so many great memories, it’s hard to choose just one! However, one that stands out is beating DJ Young and Cass Hoag 2-3 months ago. That match was a turning point in my career and marked significant growth in my pickleball development. I train hard every day to improve, and it was gratifying to see my efforts pay off. Since then, I've had several big wins, making that match a major milestone in my career.

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What motivates you to become a pro pickleball player?

Being a professional pickleball player is what I want to do with my life. As long as I avoid any career-ending injuries, I plan to keep playing until the end—I'll probably die on the court.

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What athlete or person inspires you the most?

My parents are my greatest inspiration. Originally from the east side of Detroit, Michigan, my family moved to Florida when I was younger to provide me with the best opportunities in tennis and a better future. They sacrificed a lot and continue to demonstrate incredible strength and perseverance.

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What does your current training regimen look like?

Now that my mixed doubles game has improved significantly, I'm focusing on getting my singles game back to its previous level. Starting today, I plan to train 1.5 hours in singles and 1.5 hours in doubles, Monday through Friday. Previously, I trained exclusively in doubles for 3-4 hours each day during the week.

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What is your greatest accomplishment in sports?

My latest greatest accomplishment in sports is having the bravery to pursue a new sport full-time besides tennis and fully committing to it. The date I was able to be a full-time pickleball player was August 1st, 2023.

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What part of your game are you working on the most right now?

My focus is on singles and playing the left side in gendered doubles. Many women excel on the right side due to mixed doubles experience. By mastering the left side, I can partner with almost anyone. That will give me the best opportunity to make big runs in tournaments.

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What do you do outside of pickleball?

"I really love the beach, painting, and walking around expensive neighborhoods, lol. "

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How havelevel-basedd tournaments help you improve your pickleball skills?

 "I only played one 5.0 PPA tournament and I won it. After that, I went and played only in the pro division."

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Rachael has also started a business called Pickle Pros, where we create personalized webpages for athletes that showcase their accomplishments and allow people to book lessons with them around their travel and tournament schedules. She adds,

"Our platform is designed to support aspiring pro pickleball players by providing them with a way to earn money while at home, while also enabling them to travel and compete in tournaments."

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Check out Rachael's pickleball journey and more on her Instagram and website!

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