Jalina Ingram: A Rising Star in Pickleball

In the world of pickleball, new talents are constantly emerging, pushing the boundaries of the sport and inspiring players of all ages. One such rising star is 17-year-old Jalina Ingram, who recently signed an exclusive contract to play on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and with Major League Pickleball (MLP). Her journey from tennis prodigy to pickleball sensation is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and finding one’s true passion.

A Childhood Marked by Change and Opportunity

Born in Tucson, Arizona, in 2007, Jalina’s early life was shaped by significant changes. At the age of six, she was adopted by relatives Marion and Michael, who became her foster parents before officially adopting her. Marion, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, had moved to the US and joined the Army, where she met Michael in North Carolina. The couple’s decision to adopt Jalina would prove to be a turning point in all their lives.

The Ingram family settled in Peoria, Arizona, a northwest suburb of Phoenix, where Jalina would spend her formative years. The adoption day itself was memorable, taking place on National Adoption Day, which Arizona strongly supports and promotes. In a touching coincidence, it rained on the day of Jalina’s adoption – a rarity in the arid Phoenix climate, averaging only 36 days of rain per year. Marion saw this as a blessing, adding an extra layer of significance to the already special day.

To celebrate the adoption, the family took a trip to Disneyland, where they were surprised with VIP tickets upon sharing their joyous news with the staff. This magical experience set the tone for Jalina’s new life with her adoptive parents, filled with love, support, and opportunities.

A Natural Athlete Finds Her First Love: Tennis

From an early age, Jalina displayed a natural affinity for sports, eagerly participating in a wide range of activities including soccer, swimming, gymnastics, and flag football. However, it was tennis that truly captured her heart. After just a few lessons, Jalina was hooked, and at the age of seven, she began regular training at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa.

Jalina’s passion for tennis quickly translated into success on the junior circuit. Her achievements included winning an L2 event in Tucson, Arizona, in February 2020 in the Girls 12 category, as well as victories in L4 and L5 tournaments in Girls 14 later that same year. She also found success in doubles, winning an L4 tournament with her partner, Hi’ilani Williams.

As with many elite young athletes, Jalina’s success required significant sacrifices from her parents. Marion and Michael dedicated countless hours to driving Jalina to training sessions and tournaments, often spending weekends in other states to support their daughter’s burgeoning tennis career. Jalina acknowledges the crucial role her parents played in her development, stating, “Without the support and sacrifice of my mom and dad, there is no way I would have made it as far as I did in tennis.”

The Tennis Academy Experience and a Turning Point

As Jalina continued to progress in tennis, it became clear that she needed to expand her horizons and attend a full-time tennis academy. In the summer of 2022, she enrolled at the renowned John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas. This prestigious academy has produced several notable pickleball pros, including Chris Haworth, Hunter and Yates Johnson, and Thomas Wilson.

Jalina’s performance during the summer program was so impressive that she was offered a residency for the 2022-2023 academic year, which she accepted. The highlight of her time at Newcombe came in March 2023, when she captained the academy team at an L3 event in Tucson, her birthplace. Jalina went 7-1 for the weekend and won the doubles event, showcasing her leadership skills and continued improvement on the court.

However, shortly after this success, Jalina began to experience burnout from tennis. Security issues at the academy and bullying from other players led to concerns from her mother, Marion. Eventually, Marion drove from Arizona to Texas to bring Jalina home. Although the security issues were later addressed by the academy, the experience had taken its toll on Jalina’s passion for tennis.

Upon returning to Peoria, Jalina attempted to reignite her interest in tennis. However, after playing in a tournament in October 2023 and losing, she realized that her heart was no longer in the sport. This moment marked a significant turning point in Jalina’s athletic career, as she decided to step away from competitive tennis.

Discovering Pickleball: A New Passion Emerges

Just weeks after deciding to leave tennis behind, Jalina picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time. Her mother, Marion, was looking for a fun way to exercise and hoped to help Jalina maintain her competitive spirit while continuing her athletic pursuits. They began playing at local courts in their neighborhood, Vistancia, where they were welcomed by a friendly and supportive community of players.

In a story familiar to many former tennis players, Jalina fell in love with pickleball almost immediately. The sport’s fast-paced nature, strategic elements, and welcoming community resonated with her, reigniting her passion for competitive play.

As Jalina’s skills improved, she began playing at the Surprise City courts, known as one of the best public venues for high-level amateur play in the country. It was here that she met Larry Lam and Mikki Lieu, members of the well-known Lam pickleball family. Playing with the Lams accelerated Jalina’s progress in the sport, exposing her to higher levels of competition and strategy.

Through her growing network in the pickleball community, Jalina began taking private lessons with David Furman, a local senior pro with a wealth of experience in the game. Furman’s guidance has been instrumental in Jalina’s rapid rise to the professional level, and she continues to train with him to this day.

Furman also introduced the Ingrams to Kale Klein, a club player at Grand Canyon University (GCU). Klein played a crucial role in connecting Jalina with local Arizona pros and helping her establish herself in the competitive pickleball scene.

The Leap to Professional Pickleball

In a serendipitous turn of events, Jalina made her professional pickleball debut at the very same venue where she had taken her first tennis lessons a decade earlier: the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. At the 2024 PPA Desert Ridge Open, 16-year-old Jalina competed in her first pro event, just six months after picking up a pickleball paddle for the first time.

Her performance was nothing short of impressive. Jalina made it through the qualifying rounds in singles and defeated Madeline Saunders in the Round of 64. Following a withdrawal by Dominique Schaefer, Jalina advanced to the Round of 16, where she faced Liz Truluck. Although she lost the match 7-11, 2-11, her showing was remarkable for a teenager making her pro debut.

Since that initial tournament, Jalina’s star has continued to rise in the pickleball world. Some of her most notable singles victories include:

• October 2024: Win over Alex Walker, 2-11, 11-6, 11-6
• February 2025: Win over Helena Spiridis, 11-3, 11-6
• March 2025: Win over Alix Truong, 11-6, 11-1
• March 2025: Win over Genie Bouchard, 11-6, 12-10

In doubles play, Jalina has consistently made it through qualifying rounds in both mixed and gender doubles events. Her most impressive doubles victory came alongside partner Rio Newcombe, defeating the team of Tatiana Ruhl and Juan Benitez.

Perhaps most notably, Jalina and partner James Kaoma managed to take a game off the formidable duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in the Cape Coral Open in March, losing the match 2-11, 11-7, 2-11. This achievement speaks volumes about Jalina’s rapidly developing skills and her ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

Looking to the Future

As Jalina prepares to graduate from Arizona Connections Academy, she’s already planning for her future both on and off the pickleball court. She’ll be starting college at Estrella Mountain Community College, pursuing a degree in communications. This academic pursuit reflects the values instilled by her mother, Marion, who has always emphasized the importance of having a backup plan and preparing for life after professional sports.

In terms of her pickleball career, Jalina has set ambitious goals for herself now that she’s playing exclusively on the PPA Tour:

• Become a Top 20 Singles player on the PPA Tour by the end of the year and reach a semi-final (she’s already ranked 29th in The Race Points)
• Find a high-level regular women’s doubles partner to train and grow with
• Make the quarter-finals of a PPA Tour main draw event in mixed doubles by the end of the year

To achieve these goals, Jalina is training regularly with a group of local Arizona pros, including Lindsey Newman, Andre Mercado, Jace Morris, Jace Howard, Daria Walczak, Angie and Alex Walker, and Craig Johnson. This exposure to high-level play and diverse styles is crucial for her continued development as a player.

Expert Opinions and Future Potential

Kyle Koszuta, also known as That Pickleball Guy, is one of the most respected educational content creators in the pickleball community. Having trained with Jalina on multiple occasions, Koszuta offers high praise for her potential:

“I saw her a year ago and played with her a couple of weeks ago. In that year in between, her rise has been incredible. If she continues training and progressing at the rate she has over the last year, she is going to be a top star in pickleball.”

This assessment aligns with observations from other experts in the field. Jalina’s combination of athletic prowess, powerful groundstrokes from both wings, and her rapidly developing pickleball IQ suggest a bright future in the sport. If she maintains her current trajectory, it’s not unreasonable to expect her to break into the top 20 in all three categories (singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles) by the end of 2026.

A New Chapter in Pickleball

Jalina Ingram’s journey from tennis prodigy to rising pickleball star is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and finding one’s true passion. Her story resonates with many in the pickleball community, particularly those who have transitioned from other racquet sports.

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity and attract younger players, stories like Jalina’s will become increasingly common. Her rapid rise through the ranks serves as an inspiration to aspiring players and a reminder of the exciting future that lies ahead for the sport.

With her combination of natural talent, dedicated training, and unwavering support from her family and the pickleball community, Jalina Ingram is poised to make a significant impact on the professional pickleball scene in the coming years. As she continues to hone her skills and gain experience at the highest levels of competition, the pickleball world will be watching closely, eager to see just how far this young star can go.