MEET THE TEAM
JACK SOCK
Jack Sock's transition from tennis to pickleball has been nothing short of remarkable. With a distinguished career as a four-time tennis Grand Slam champion and the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Sock entered the pickleball scene as a celebrated figure. His impressive achievements include reaching career highs of No. 2 in ATP doubles and No. 8 in ATP singles rankings.
Renowned for his powerful serves and formidable forehands on the tennis court, Sock seamlessly transferred his athleticism and racket skills to pickleball. Making his debut at the 2023 OS1st North Carolina Open, he clinched a mixed doubles gold medal alongside Anna Leigh Waters, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in the new sport.
Since signing with the PPA Tour in August 2023 and committing fully to pickleball, Sock has set high expectations for himself. As a former face of American tennis, his presence in the pickleball arena promises excitement and anticipation for fans and competitors alike.
JESSIE IRVINE
An incredibly talented player who leaves her heart out on the court, Jessie Irvine has cruised her way to the top of women’s pickleball. She is ranked in the Top 5 in all three divisions of women’s pro pickleball. Irvine is known for her on-court passion, athleticism, and fierceness.
Irvine comes to the sport of pickleball from a successful tennis career and is originally from Cary, North Carolina. She started playing tennis at the age of 10 and was a top 10 Junior Tennis Player, former WTA Pro Tennis Player, and Top Women POP Tennis Player. Irvine moved to Southern California to focus on coaching juniors in tennis, which she has been doing now for almost 10 years. During her time in California, she studied at UCLA and did some TV work with Tennis Channel, including roles on “Court Report” and “One-Minute Clinic.”
Irvine’s pickleball career began in November 2018, and she started playing professional pickleball at the beginning of 2019. Outside of playing pickleball, Jessie enjoys hanging out with friends, coaching, watching movies, going out for dinner, working out/training, listening to music, dancing, golf, and laughing and having a good time!
TYSON MCGUFFIN
Tyson McGuffin’s skill and personality have made him one of the most well-known players on the PPA Tour. McGuffin’s athleticism, quickness on the court, amazing get-backs, and defensive returns make him a fan favorite to watch.
Tyson’s strength as a pickleball player can be traced back to his background as a tennis player. Mcguffin played tennis for 2 years at Scottsdale Community College, and then reached the top 1500 on the ATP men’s tour. Tyson then pursued a tennis career, and became the Head Tennis Pro at the Yakima Tennis Club. He coached for six years before he discovered pickleball. Although pickleball did not come naturally to Tyson, he was determined to be successful. Only six months later, Tyson turned pro.
McGuffin is extremely involved in all areas of pickleball. He runs clinics nationwide, releases instructional videos, teaches, and promotes pickleball as a game that anyone can learn and enjoy.
Outside of pickleball, Tyson can be found spending time with his wife, Megan, and their four children. They enjoy hiking, attending music festivals, and lake days together.
GENIE BOUCHARD
Eugenie “Genie” Bouchard, the renowned professional tennis sensation from Montreal, Canada, has left an indelible mark on the world of sports. Born on February 25, 1994, Bouchard displayed prodigious talent from a young age, dominating the junior tennis rankings with ease.
Her ascent in the tennis world reached its pinnacle in October 2014 when she achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 5. Bouchard's tennis accolades are nothing short of remarkable. Notably, she reached the semi-finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open in 2013, and in the same year, made history as a finalist at Wimbledon, where she finished as runner-up to Petra Kvitová. This feat marked her as the first Canadian-born player to reach the final of a major singles tournament.
Now, Bouchard is embarking on a new chapter in her athletic career, transitioning her formidable tennis skills to the pro pickleball court. Although she is just beginning her journey in pickleball, Bouchard is swiftly honing her skills and competing against top players in the sport. With her exceptional athleticism and competitive spirit, she is carving out a name for herself in the world of professional pickleball.
Off the court, Bouchard's interests extend beyond sports. Whether she's traveling the globe, gracing the pages of fashion magazines as a model, or sharing her keen eye for fashion with her followers, she continues to captivate audiences with her multifaceted talents and vibrant personality.
PESA TEONI
Born in American Samoa, Pesa's journey led him to St. George, UT at the age of 15, where he faced the challenge of adapting to a new language and culture. Despite the initial hurdles of learning English, Pesa's determination propelled him forward, gradually mastering the language over time.
Pesa's athletic journey took an unexpected turn when he discovered pickleball in 2016 while living with an aunt in St. George. Coming from a background in competitive soccer, volleyball, and rugby, pickleball was a new frontier. Introduced to the sport by an uncle, Pesa quickly embraced it, diving into tournaments ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 skill levels and clinching medals along the way.
With a newfound passion for pickleball, Pesa decided to take his game to the next level, joining pro tournaments once COVID restrictions eased. Partnering with Daniel de Rosa, Pesa enjoyed successful runs at events like Red Rock, achieving impressive finishes in both men's doubles competitions. Additionally, Pesa secured three gold medals alongside Andrei Daescu, further solidifying his presence in the pickleball community.
ALEX WALKER
Originally from North Vancouver, Canada, Alex Walker brings a wealth of athletic experience to the world of pickleball, having competed at elite levels in basketball, volleyball, and tennis. She played Division 1 tennis on scholarship while earning her psychology degree at the University of Montana.
Introduced to pickleball by her mother, Alex fully embraced the sport and made the transition to full-time play in the fall of 2023. Her older sister, Angie Walker, also competes on the PPA Tour. Together, the Walker sisters form a competitive and exciting doubles duo on tour.
