Kate Fahey’s path from Big Ten tennis to the PPA Tour is one of the cleaner NCAA-to-pro transitions in pickleball. She arrived on the scene with competitive instincts honed at the University of Michigan and quickly found her footing among the sport’s top women’s doubles players. As of 2026, Fahey continues to climb the rankings with a steady tournament record and partnerships that showcase her net skills.
Photo taken from the east side of the courts facing west, this image is of pickl – CC CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Quick facts: Kate Fahey
Category
Detail
Full name
Kate Fahey
Sport
Professional pickleball
College
University of Michigan (NCAA D1 tennis)
Turned pro
Approx. 2022
Primary events
PPA Tour
Paddle brand
Joola
Playing hand
Right-handed
Early life
Kate Fahey grew up playing competitive tennis in the Midwest. Her talent earned her a spot on the University of Michigan women’s tennis roster, where she competed through the NCAA Division I system. During and after her college years, Fahey began exploring pickleball, a sport attracting an increasing number of tennis crossover athletes. The transition felt natural given her volleying instincts, footwork, and comfort at the net. By 2022, she had shifted her competitive focus entirely to professional pickleball.
Career highlights and timeline
College years: Competed in NCAA D1 tennis at Michigan, gaining tournament experience across multiple seasons.
2022 transition: Moved into the PPA Tour full-time after discovering pickleball through the growing tennis-to-pickleball pipeline.
2023 breakout: Established herself as a consistent women’s doubles competitor, partnering with established players on the PPA circuit.
2024-2025 growth: Earned multiple podium finishes and began gaining traction in mixed doubles brackets as well.
2026 season: Continues to compete across PPA Tour events with rising rankings in both women’s and mixed doubles.
Playing style
Fahey’s tennis background shows most clearly in her transition game. She moves well through the midcourt, handles third-shot drops with discipline, and thrives when exchanges reach the kitchen line. She is not the hardest hitter on tour, but her placement and patience in extended dink rallies give her a consistent edge.
Shot
Strength
Notes
Third-shot drop
High
Tennis transition skills translate well
Dink
High
Patient and disciplined in extended rallies
Volley
High
Quick hands at the net from tennis background
Drive
Moderate
Uses selectively rather than as a primary weapon
Overhead smash
Moderate
Solid but relies more on placement than power
Photo taken from the east side of the courts facing west, this image is of pickl – CC CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rivalries and partnerships
Fahey has partnered with several top PPA women’s doubles players and has faced the dominant teams on tour regularly. Her mixed doubles results have also improved as she has found chemistry with partners who complement her control-oriented style. Specific rivalries continue to develop as the women’s side of professional pickleball deepens its talent pool.
Gear and sponsor
Kate Fahey uses Joola paddles, a brand that sponsors a significant portion of the PPA Tour’s top competitors. She has been seen using paddle models from the Joola Ben Johns signature line, which emphasize touch and control. Beyond paddles, Fahey’s sponsorship portfolio reflects the growing investment brands are making in rising professional pickleball players.
What’s next
With her rankings continuing to improve, Fahey is positioned to contend for higher seeds in PPA Tour events through 2026 and beyond. Her tennis pedigree and steady improvement curve suggest she has not yet reached her ceiling on the professional circuit. Keep an eye on her mixed doubles results in particular as partnerships in that discipline tend to reward the kind of consistency Fahey brings.
Did Kate Fahey play college tennis before pickleball?
Yes. Kate Fahey played NCAA Division I tennis at the University of Michigan before transitioning to professional pickleball full-time around 2022.
How many PPA Tour titles has Kate Fahey won?
As of 2026, Kate Fahey has collected multiple PPA Tour titles in women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Her exact count continues to grow as she remains active on the tour.
What paddle does Kate Fahey use?
Kate Fahey has been associated with Joola paddles, aligning with several top PPA professionals who favor the brand’s control-oriented designs for competitive doubles play.
What is Kate Fahey’s playing style?
Kate Fahey relies on quick hands at the net, disciplined reset shots, and consistent dinking. Her NCAA tennis background gives her strong court positioning and transition game skills.
Racquet sports player and writer covering pickleball, padel, tennis, badminton, and squash. Former collegiate tennis player turned recreational pickleball enthusiast. Jackson writes beginner-friendly guides to help new players get on court faster.
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