As pickleball continues its meteoric rise across the globe, few athletes have ridden the wave quite like Connor Garnett, the former Interlake High School tennis standout who is now one of the world’s top-ranked professional pickleball players.
Since turning pro in 2022, the 28-year-old Garnett has medaled 20 times, claimed two PPA titles, and currently holds the No. 3 singles ranking on the tour. Known for his lightning-quick reflexes, explosive movement, and lethal two-handed backhand, Garnett has also become a fan-favourite for his jaw-dropping Around-the-Post (ATP) shots – some of the most unreturnable in the sport.
“It’s pretty surreal, it’s a cool experience. Just to be there, go through a tournament winning. Everyone else in the tournament has at least one loss, so it’s pretty magical,” he told KING 5. “All that hard work starts to really feel like it pays off, and all the inner demons kind of go away in that moment.”
Garnett’s journey into pickleball was unexpected. What began as casual fun quickly turned into an obsession.
“I, along with my friends, just played every day, played in college, and just really fell in love with the sport,” says Garnett.
“I started playing some tournaments, didn’t really think anything of it at the time, and I started winning a little bit of money,” he said. Then he began to picture a future on the court. “I talked to my boss, and he was super understanding about it, and it got to the point where I was like, ‘I could maybe make a career out of this.'”
Despite having a profound tennis background, Garnett admitted the game of pickleball has brought an exciting phase in his career.
“I love learning. With tennis, I felt like I was chasing what I once was, and with pickleball, every shot is new,” he said. “Learning how to dink … I just kind of became obsessed with the learning aspect,” said Garnett.
From Washington high school courts to the professional pickleball spotlight, Garnett’s story is a reflection of how the sport is transforming lives – one dink, drive, and ATP at a time.
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