APP Founder Ken Herrmann recently posted a story about the latest Next Gen champion on his Facebook page. Brooke Revuelta from Miami had shown up at the tournament played at the San Antonio Chicken N Pickle alone and nervous, but finished the competition in first place with a $2,500 prize under her belt as she snagged the gold medals in the women’s singles and the mixed doubles.
The Tender Age Of Four
Brooke, who had dedicated her life to tennis training from the tender age of four up until she turned 17, dropped two bombshells on her mother, Michelle. Firstly, she would not be continuing her tennis career, and secondly, she didn’t want to go to college.
The reason behind Revuelta’s change of heart was pickleball. Introduced to it by friends in January 2023, Revuelta was not initially impressed, but didn’t take long to come around:
“I thought it was an old person’s sport,” said Revuelta, 18. “I went to a tournament not even knowing the rules, and I fell in love with the sport.”
Although she was having serious doubts about her tennis future, Revuelta remained committed to the sport until April 2023, contributing to Miami Palmetto High‘s victorious state championship campaign.
The Ruthless Realm Of Pro Pickleball
However, In July, she left that all behind and ventured into the ruthless realm of professional pickleball, competing in her inaugural tournament in Denver, where she encountered formidable opponent Anna Leigh Waters, the reigning world No. 1.
Despite eventually succumbing to Waters in a closely contested match, Revuelta left with admiration for her adversary and a burning desire for a rematch.
“She’s a great player,” Revuelta said of Waters, who has been playing for about six years. “I can’t wait to play her again.”
The revelation of Revuelta’s inclination towards pursuing pickleball professionally came as a shock to her mother, Michelle González.
“That whole year, we had been touring Division I colleges, talking to coaches and checking out tennis teams across the U.S.,” González said. “When she broke the news to me, I was shocked. But, at the same time, I had a lot of questions. I didn’t know much about pickleball.”
A Stipulated Trial Period
She opted to support her daughter’s new endeavor, albeit with a stipulated trial period of one year.
Revuelta’s pickleball journey gained momentum as she clinched the overall gold medal at the APP Next Gen event in San Antonio earlier this month, completely validating her decision. Under the guidance of coach Mario Figueredo, the left-handed prodigy maintains a punishing training schedule, honing her skills with rigorous hours of practice six times a week.
Her flexible schooling arrangement allows her to prioritize pickleball training, with her mother accompanying her on her competitive journeys across various states.
“Skipping College Is Not An Option”
Despite forgoing potential tennis scholarships, Revuelta remains resolute about pursuing higher education, particularly in sports media/marketing: “Skipping college is not an option,” she says.
Beyond the financial prospects and competitive aspirations, Revuelta’s foray into pickleball offers invaluable experiences, creating camaraderie within the tight-knit community and strengthening her bond with her mother, who accompanies her on her ventures.
Reflecting on her tennis background, Revuelta acknowledges its instrumental role in shaping her prowess in pickleball, blending aggression with strategic finesse:
“I would not be where I am in pickleball without my background in tennis,” she says.
Calculated Precision
Embracing the nuances of the game, she has transitioned from impatience to calculated precision, leveraging her tennis instincts to navigate the pickleball court effectively.
“When I first started, I was impatient,” Revuelta says with chilling analytical perception. “I just wanted to smack the ball. Coming from a tennis background, dinking was not normal for me. Now, I pick my spots. I can change speeds and play a smart style.”
Rounding out the top five finishers from Revuelta’s category at the San Antonio Next Gen were:
- Riley Bohnert, $2,000
- Ava Kalist, $1,500
- Alia Brown, $1,000
- Bella Nelson, $500
