Esteban Celis

Esteban Celis is living proof that a pandemic hobby can turn into a professional career. Originally trained in soccer academy systems, Celis found himself without a sport when COVID-19 shut everything down. He stumbled onto a pickleball court, and despite early days where other players literally walked off the court to avoid playing with him, he stuck with it and fell in love with the game. Fast forward a few years, and the man is ranked No. 1 in men's doubles in Central America and 27th in the world. Not bad for a guy who picked up a paddle because the gym was closed.

Based between Murray, Utah and Omaha, Nebraska, Celis serves as the assistant general manager at Ace Pickleball Club, where he teaches players of all skill levels and pushes the local scene to new heights. His students rave about the access to pro-level competition that simply doesn't exist elsewhere in the Omaha area. Beyond competing and coaching, Celis is all about growing the sport and building community. He's watched pickleball explode in Omaha from a retiree pastime into a multigenerational movement, with kids as young as seven showing up to play. And in a detail that could only happen in pickleball, he met his wife at a Halloween-themed pickleball party he organized. The sport hasn't just given him a career - it gave him a whole life.