From Tennis Star to Pickleball Sensation: The Sofia Sewing Story
Sofia Sewing’s journey from professional tennis to pickleball stardom is a testament to her exceptional athletic abilities and unwavering determination. As a former world-class tennis player who has successfully transitioned to professional pickleball, Sewing’s story is both inspiring and illuminating for sports enthusiasts and aspiring athletes alike.
Early Years and Tennis Beginnings
Born and raised in the Doral area of Florida, Sofia Sewing’s athletic journey began at the tender age of eight when she first picked up a tennis racket. Her father, Christian, a tennis enthusiast himself, introduced Sofia to the sport, hoping to nurture a passion for tennis in his children. Little did he know that this introduction would set Sofia on a path to becoming a professional athlete.
Before tennis, Sofia dabbled in soccer and gymnastics, but by her own admission, she wasn’t particularly skilled in either. However, when it came to tennis, Sofia displayed an immediate aptitude that caught everyone’s attention. Her natural talent was so evident that her parents made the significant decision to homeschool her from the age of 10, allowing her to focus more intensively on her tennis training.
Unlike many elite junior players who attend tennis academies away from home, Sofia’s parents, Karen and Christian, chose to keep her at home. This decision allowed them to remain closely involved in Sofia’s life and tennis development, a choice that Sofia deeply appreciates to this day. In our interview, she expressed immense gratitude for her parents’ sacrifices and dedication, acknowledging that her professional tennis career would not have been possible without their unwavering support.
Rising Through the Junior Tennis Ranks
Sofia’s talent in tennis became apparent early on. Even at the age of ten, she was competing at a high level, going toe-to-toe with players like Sonya Kenin, who is currently ranked in the top 25 in the world. This early promise was a sign of the great things to come in Sofia’s junior tennis career.
One of Sofia’s most remarkable achievements came in 2014 when she became the first player ever to win back-to-back Eddie Herr titles in the 14s and 16s categories in consecutive years. For those unfamiliar with junior tennis, the Eddie Herr International Junior Championship is one of the four most prestigious junior tennis tournaments in the United States, comparable to a junior major.
In that same year, Sofia not only won the singles title but also clinched the doubles title at Eddie Herr. Interestingly, her doubles partner was none other than Dominique (Domi) Schaefer, a name that pickleball fans will recognize. Sofia and Domi’s friendship, which began when they were 13, would later play a significant role in Sofia’s transition to pickleball.
By the time Sofia reached high school, her sights were firmly set on professional tennis. She competed in ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournaments and achieved a career-high ranking of 9th in the world in ITF Juniors in 2017. Even though she wasn’t actively seeking college recruitment, Sofia was ranked as high as the second overall recruit in the USA in her class by tennisrecruiting.net, a testament to her exceptional skills and potential.
A Taste of Grand Slam Success
Sofia’s most cherished memory from her junior tennis career came at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships – Girls’ tournament. Seeded 14th in this prestigious event, Sofia showcased her talent on one of tennis’s biggest stages, advancing all the way to the quarterfinals. This impressive run not only bolstered her reputation in the junior tennis world but also earned her an invitation to the Wimbledon ball.
At the ball, Sofia had the opportunity to meet her idol, Roger Federer. For a young athlete, the chance to meet one of the greatest tennis players of all time was undoubtedly a dream come true and a moment that Sofia still treasures.
Transitioning to Professional Tennis
Sofia’s transition from junior to professional tennis was marked by both triumphs and challenges. Her professional career took her to an impressive 37 countries, allowing her to experience diverse cultures and compete on an international stage. At her peak, Sofia achieved a world ranking of 125 in doubles and 455 in singles in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association).
Between 2019 and 2022, Sofia claimed victory in four ITF 15,000 events, with wins in Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. Her bilingual skills in English and Spanish, courtesy of her Ecuadorian father, made her South American trips particularly smooth and enjoyable. In addition to these wins, she was also the runner-up in four tournaments during this period, all at the 15,000 level.
Sofia’s doubles career, which spanned from 2016 to April 2024, was particularly successful. She won a total of 14 ITF events throughout her doubles career, showcasing her ability to work effectively with partners and excel in team dynamics.
Her first professional ITF victory came at the age of 17 in November 2017, when she won a 15,000 event in Ecuador with her Mexican partner, Maria Portillo Ramirez. This win was quickly followed by another title in Ecuador, where Sofia and Portillo Ramirez defeated Domi Schaefer and her partner Stephanie Nemtsova.
Overcoming Adversity
Sofia’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. In late 2017, just a few months after concluding her junior career, she sustained a knee injury that required recovery and rehabilitation. This setback led to an unexpected detour in her career path.
The University of Miami, recognizing Sofia’s talent, recruited her to join their tennis program for the spring 2018 semester. This opportunity allowed Sofia to focus on her recovery while potentially playing for the team later in the semester. However, the rehabilitation process took longer than anticipated, and Sofia was only able to play a couple of matches during her time at the university.
After the semester, Sofia made the decision to return to her professional tennis career, leaving the University of Miami. Her comeback was marked by a victory in September 2019 at a 15,000 event in Lubbock, TX, where she partnered once again with Portillo Ramirez.
Career Highlights and International Success
Sofia’s professional tennis career continued to flourish, with her biggest win coming in October 2023 at the Rome Open (W60) in Georgia, where she partnered with Russian player Anastasia Tikhonova. This victory at the 60,000 level event was a significant milestone in her career.
Throughout her doubles career, Sofia accumulated an impressive collection of titles:
- 4 wins at the 15,000 level events
- 7 wins at the 25,000 level events
- 2 wins at the 40,000 level events
- 1 win at the 60,000 level event
One of Sofia’s most memorable tournaments came in December 2023 at the WTA Challenger in the Buenos Aires Open. Partnering with her good friend, Colombian María Paulina Pérez García, Sofia reached the finals after winning three matches. Although they narrowly lost in the final, falling 11-9 in the third set, this tournament stands out in Sofia’s memory as one of the best finishes for the duo.
The Transition to Pickleball
Sofia’s transition to pickleball came as her professional tennis career was winding down due to persistent knee issues. She played her last professional tennis event in April 2024, an ITF 25,000 event in Boca Raton.
It was her long-time friend Domi Schaefer who had been trying to get Sofia involved in pickleball for some time. However, Sofia was still committed to tennis and didn’t want to divide her focus. It wasn’t until she decided to end her tennis career that Sofia finally picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time in April 2024.
Living in Boca Raton proved advantageous for Sofia’s budding pickleball career. She was invited to play at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, a hub for many top pickleball pros. It was here that she met Tanner Tomassi, who recognized Sofia’s potential and invited her to play in the APP NYC tournament the following month. Sofia credits Tanner with helping her learn the intricacies of doubles play in pickleball, which differs significantly from tennis doubles.
Rapid Rise in Pickleball
Since her debut at the APP tournament in May, Sofia has participated in nine professional pickleball tournaments. Her progress has been remarkable, with her best doubles win coming at the PPA Bristol in August, where she and Domi Schaefer defeated the formidable team of Alex and Angie Walker.
Sofia’s pickleball career quickly took on an international flavor. She competed in the PWR India Masters in October and the PWR Thu Duc HTV DJOY Open Warrior Cup in December, winning both events in singles. These victories came against top international players such as Emilia Schmidt, Pei Chuan Kao, Some Dalla Bonna, and Yu-Chieh Hsieh.
Her rapid improvement was on full display at the recent APP Fort Lauderdale tournament. Sofia’s performance against Megan Fudge in the finals, where she lost a close match 14-16, 11-15, showed how far she had come in just nine months of playing pickleball. This was a significant improvement from her first tournament in APP NYC, where she lost to Fudge in the first round 7-15, 9-15.
Training and Future Plans
At 25 years old, Sofia is fully committed to her pickleball career. Despite ongoing knee issues, which are more manageable in pickleball than they were in tennis, she maintains an intense training schedule. Sofia trains every day, often twice a day, demonstrating the same dedication and work ethic that propelled her tennis career.
Looking ahead to 2025, Sofia plans to participate in as many APP Tournaments as possible. She is also excited about playing in the PWR DUPR India League this spring. For Sofia, the opportunity to play pickleball internationally is particularly appealing, as it allows her to revisit one of the aspects she loved most about her pro tennis days – international travel.
A Rising Star in Pickleball
Sofia Sewing’s rapid ascent in the world of professional pickleball has not gone unnoticed. Her combination of athleticism, reach, power, and mental toughness – honed through years of professional tennis – makes her a formidable opponent on the pickleball court.
After witnessing her performance at the Fort Lauderdale tournament, pickleball analyst Erik Tice made a bold prediction on X (formerly Twitter):
“Ok, I’m officially sold. Sofia Sewing is going to be the 2025 breakout woman in pickleball. She is an elite mover, has super consistent ground strokes from both sides, and her lateral coverage at the kitchen is phenomenal. I’m impressed.”
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
Sofia Sewing’s journey from tennis prodigy to pickleball sensation is a testament to her exceptional athletic ability, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Her rapid progress in pickleball, combined with her professional sports background, positions her as a rising star in the sport.
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity worldwide, athletes like Sofia Sewing are helping to elevate the sport to new heights. Her story serves as an inspiration to athletes considering a transition between sports and showcases the exciting possibilities that pickleball offers to those with a strong sporting background.
With her dedication to training, international experience, and natural athleticism, Sofia Sewing is indeed poised to be a breakout star in pickleball in 2025 and beyond. As she continues to hone her skills and compete at the highest levels, the pickleball world will be watching eagerly to see just how far this former tennis star can go in her new sporting endeavor.
