Teen Pickleball Pro Boosts Military Morale on Global Goodwill Tour
What's the Score?
Brooke Revuelta, a dynamic 19-year-old professional pickleball player hailing from Miami, recently completed an impactful three-week tour as part of Armed Forces Entertainment’s (AFE) Goodwill Pro Pickleball Military Tour. In association with Pro Sports MVP Entertainment & Promotions, Revuelta, alongside three other American pros, visited 12 U.S. military bases across six different countries, bringing the excitement and camaraderie of pickleball to service members, their families, and even local communities stationed overseas.
Hit it deeper!
Selected as the youngest professional athlete to participate in this morale-boosting initiative, Brooke Revuelta’s journey to professional pickleball is already impressive. A 2024 high school graduate, she was a standout three-year starter and captain of Miami Palmetto Senior High’s varsity tennis team, leading them to the 4A Florida High School State Championship title in 2023 as a key singles and doubles player. Despite receiving Division 1 tennis scholarship offers, Revuelta made the bold decision to pursue her burgeoning passion for professional pickleball.
The Goodwill Pro Pickleball Military Tour, conducted throughout March, saw Revuelta and her fellow professionals travel to Turkey, Kosovo, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Their mission was multifaceted, focusing on coaching, teaching, and hosting engaging clinics for U.S. troops and their families, as well as residents within some of the overseas base communities, ensuring widespread participation. The tour also featured thrilling pro exhibition matches showcasing elite-level pickleball, friendly tournaments where service members could compete, interactive play-with-the-pros sessions catering to all skill levels, and special introductory clinics complete with games and prizes.
For Revuelta, the tour held a deeply personal significance. Coming from a military family, with a great-grandfather who served in WWII, a grandfather who served in Vietnam, and a stepfather who was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, she expressed that being selected for the tour was an "absolute honour — not just as a pro pickleball player, but as someone who comes from a military family”. She emphasized the tour's purpose: "This tour is about more than playing a sport — it’s about lifting spirits, saying thank you, and creating unforgettable moments for our troops and their families". Revuelta's rapid ascent in professional pickleball since transitioning in 2023 has been remarkable, positioning her among the top junior women’s singles players globally and as the No. 2 Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Next Gen women’s player.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Brooke Revuelta’s participation in the Armed Forces Entertainment’s Goodwill Pro Pickleball Military Tour is a testament to the power of sports to connect and uplift communities, particularly those serving their country abroad. Her dedication to sharing her passion for pickleball with U.S. troops and their families demonstrates a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to giving back. This initiative not only provided recreational opportunities and boosted morale but also showcased the growing global appeal of pickleball. Revuelta’s inspiring journey from promising tennis player to dedicated pickleball professional, now using her skills to serve those who serve, highlights the positive influence athletes can have beyond the competitive arena.