LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington native who recently became a national champion in pickleball is now making the sport a career.

What You Need To Know

  • Matthew Mullins, University of Kentucky business marketing major, won pickleball junior national champion Oct. 20 in Houston

  • He picked up the sport eight years ago after watching his parents play 

  • Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport, according to USA Pickleball

At just 18 years old, Matthew Mullins is rising in the ranks of pickleball. Mullins began playing eight years ago after his parents picked it up, and he grew to love the game.

He now teaches and plays all over the country.

“That’s kind of when I was like, OK, let’s start taking me playing, me teaching and let's actually have a career in pickleball," Mullins said. "I started doing leagues, tournaments." 

Mullins can be found on the court perfecting his game in his free time. He practices his serves as if he is in the middle of a competition.

“It’s kind of like a free throw; you kind of want to have routine going when you’re serving, so I like to bounce it a couple times, and I just take the ball and hit it against the paddle," Mullins said. "That way, you can calm your nerves." 

Recently, the business marketing major at the University of Kentucky had the biggest win of his career, winning junior national champion at doubles in Houston.

“We weren’t expecting to win it; we were just like, this is so cool being in the championship," Mullins said. "And then finally, we win it, and it was awesome." 

It’s not just Mullins playing the game in Lexington. Pickleball Paddock hosts lessons and league play, regardless of skill level.

“The population of people playing has gotten younger, so the demand for it has dramatically increased," said Tom Redmon, owner of Pickleball Paddock.

Redmon picked up the sport in 2017, which, according to USA Pickleball, is America’s fastest-growing sport. He noticed increased demand for the game during the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing some of it to being a sport almost anyone can play.

“The equipment cost is really low," Redmon said. "All you need is a paddle, and you can go to Walmart and just get a basic paddle, bring a ball ... you don’t have to have any athletic background. You can play pickleball and have a great time playing it." 

Mullins said he and his family bring their paddles on vacations and play pickup games.

“You can just bring your paddle; there’s always people to play with, it’s so much fun and you just go to courts like this and reach out to parks that have pickleball," he said. "It’s so easy to fit in." 

Pickleball Paddock is a membership-based club but also has open play.

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