Hayden Patriquin

Hayden "Big H" Patriquin is proof that you don't need a tennis background to hang with the best in pickleball. The Yucaipa, California native came from over a decade of competitive baseball before his grandfather introduced him to pickleball in 2019 at just 13 years old. By 16, he'd turned pro, becoming one of the youngest male players ever to compete at the professional level. Instead of heading straight to college after graduating from online school, Patriquin took a gap year to go all-in on pickleball, and it's been paying off ever since.

What makes Patriquin special is his combination of lightning-quick hands (thanks, baseball reflexes), elite footwork, and a devastating two-handed backhand that creates angles most players can't dream of. He's also an avid surfer, which probably helps with the balance and coordination that make his court movement so smooth. Sponsored by Franklin and playing with the FS Tour Dynasty 16 paddle, Patriquin has notched quarterfinal finishes at the Vulcan Kansas City Open and PPA Championships, plus a semifinal run at the Denver Open. He's also locked in a three-year MLP contract, cementing his status as one of the sport's brightest young investments. At an age when most people are figuring out their college major, Patriquin is figuring out how to beat players twice his age on the biggest stages in pickleball.