Dylan Frazier: Pickleball’s Unlikely Star
In professional pickleball, a tennis background is almost a given. With 90% of PPA players coming from tennis, the sport is heavily influenced by tennis skills. But then there’s Dylan Frazier—an anomaly and a true maverick. Unlike his top-10 peers, Dylan has no high-level tennis background. This makes his rise in pickleball even more extraordinary.
Dylan’s passion for pickleball ignited at age 14 during a family trip to Florida, where his mom introduced him to the game. By 17, he was already shaking up the pro circuits, rapidly climbing from a 3.5 level to the top ranks.
Currently, on the PPA Tour, Dylan Frazier is crushing it! He is ranked 3rd in Doubles, 13th in Mixed Doubles, and 6th in Singles. Remarkably, 2024 marked his first career trifecta year with gold medals in every discipline—a testament to his exceptional skill. Dylan has amassed an astounding 91 Professional Tournament Medals: 32 gold, 24 silver, and 35 bronze.
In the past 12 months, Dylan’s doubles record is an impressive 78-15, with a jaw-dropping 24-match win streak. His doubles win percentage stands at a phenomenal 84%. His mixed doubles and singles win percentages are 66% and 59%, respectively. Overall, his cumulative win percentage is an outstanding 73%.
From a small-town kid in Ashland, Missouri, to a top pickleball player, Dylan’s journey is nothing short of epic. Growing up in a bustling household with his parents and three adopted siblings, Dylan’s early years were filled with baseball, basketball, and football. But everything changed in 2016 during a family trip to Florida. At a local rec center, his mom introduced him to pickleball, and Dylan was instantly hooked.
Back in Columbia, Missouri, Dylan joined the Show-Me Pickleball group and began his relentless journey. He started at the 3.5 level, competing in local tournaments with his mom by his side. Despite a modest start, Dylan’s determination never wavered. He trained tirelessly, honing his skills with friends across Columbia and steadily climbing the ranks. The turning point came in 2019 when Dylan traveled to Wichita, Kansas, to train with some of the best pros. Staying with Pat Smith and drilling with Jay Devilliers and Chris Heck, Dylan’s game skyrocketed. He evolved from a 4.5-5.0 level player to a serious contender in the pro circuit.
Imagine stepping onto the court with legends like Matt Wright and Lucy Kovalova. For Dylan Frazier, this was reality. Nervous and unsure at first, Dylan felt he played terribly. But Matt and Lucy were there, offering encouragement and patience. Slowly but surely, Dylan found his groove and started holding his own with the best.
Join us as we delve into the incredible journey of Dylan Frazier, a true testament to hard work, passion, and the love for pickleball!