Two-Sport Star in the Making: Mikaeel Ali Baig Excels in Tennis, Fast Rising in Pickleball
A precocious Pakistani is making waves in sports out there in the U.S. And his two sports of choice are tennis and pickleball.
Mikaeel Ali Baig, who is just 15, first made a name for himself as a tennis prodigy. He won six national championships in his home country of Pakistan and several Asian Tennis Federation titles representing his nation. He even won the 2024 USTA Florida Bobby Curtis championship of the Boys’ 14 and Under division as the top seed.
Lately, Mikaeel has also been trying out pickleball—and getting the same success.
In fact, only recently, the 15-year-old sensation bagged a title at the Pickleball Pro Junior Championship in Daytona, Florida, a prestigious pickleball event that gathered over 1,200 picklers from around the world. With his superlative showing in Florida, Mikaeel earned for himself a coveted 5 DUPR rating, which places him among the top 20 under-18 pickleball players worldwide. What’s more impressive is that he has been playing pickleball less than a year.
A Rising Star in Pickleball
But what exactly drew Mikaeel to pickleball?
“Pickleball is an exciting blend of tennis, badminton, table tennis, and paddle,” Mikaeel bared. “It’s a fast-paced game requiring quick footwork, lower body strength, and strategic thinking. Plus, it’s incredibly social and much more affordable than tennis, making it a mainstream sport in countries like India.”
Blend of different sports.
Fast-paced.
Incredibly social.
More affordable and mainstream.
These are, of course, the biggest reasons pickleball is exploding in popularity all around the world. And these will likely be the reasons Mikaeel will keep playing it even as his tennis career is taking off. Then again, the young man has doubters who think pickleball will distract him from tennis. Mikaeel thinks otherwise. In fact, he thinks pickleball—and the other sports he plays, like gymnastics—will help him moving forward.
“My multi-sport background, including taekwondo and gymnastics, has significantly enhanced my tennis game. Many top tennis players, like Jack Sock and Andre Agassi, are now competing in pickleball. Even legends like Ivan Lendl are engaging in it; he was playing on a court next to mine during the tournament,” Mikaeel pointed out. “It’s a great avenue for skill development, but my primary focus remains tennis.”
Mikaeel’s Undeniable Passion for Pickleball
While Mikaeel’s focus will still be on tennis, his passion for pickleball can’t be denied. In fact, he and his family are looking to introduce pickleball in Pakistan. To set this plan in motion, Mikaeel and his mother, Ayesha, are already planning to meet Pakistan Tennis Federation President Aisam Ul Haq for discussions on how grow pickleball (and tennis) in the country. The mother-and-son duo are also looking to build pickleball courts in Pakistan and are seeking support from local firms.
Indeed, Mikaeel may have tennis as his first love. But it appears pickleball is right up there, too.
