Erik Lange

Erik Lange might have the most relatable origin story in pro pickleball. The 43-year-old from West Linn, Oregon spent years working in corporate America as a Regional Sales Manager for HEAD Racquet Sports, covering the entire western United States. He discovered pickleball through his job around 2017-2018 when he realized he was selling HEAD pickleball equipment without even knowing the rules of the game. So he started playing recreationally, got hooked, got good, and in May 2023, he did what millions of cubicle-dwellers dream about: he quit his corporate gig to go pro. Full send.

And it's paid off. Erik has racked up 19 professional medals across PPA, APP, and MLP events. He helped the Chicago Slice win an MLP title, played for the SoCal Hard Eights and St. Louis Shock, and in December 2025, the Shock named him their head coach on a multi-year deal after the team went 24-1 in the regular season and won the MLP Cup. He studied Sports Marketing at the University of Oregon, where he chose the "safe" route over playing college tennis at a smaller school - a decision he's reflected on but that may have actually preserved his body for a pro pickleball career in his 40s. Erik partners with Max "Purple Jesus" Manthou in men's doubles, and the two PNW guys have become one of the most fun duos to watch on tour.