Today we’d like to introduce you to Roscoe Bellamy.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Like many pickleball players, my journey began in tennis. I started playing when I was just five years old at the Palisades Tennis Center, which my family owned. From an early age, I was traveling around the world, competing in tournaments, finding success, and dreaming of becoming a top professional athlete. By the time I was 15, I had climbed to the #1 ranking in the nation. But at the height of my junior career, I began battling a series of injuries that made competing increasingly difficult.
I went on to play tennis at UCLA on a scholarship, but unfortunately, the injuries continued to follow me, eventually leading to multiple surgeries. After years of setbacks, it seemed like my time with tennis was coming to an end.
It wasn’t until 2023 — just as I was about to put my rackets down for good — that I discovered pickleball. I had heard about the sport’s growing popularity but never seriously considered playing it myself. However, seeing so many former tennis players making the switch, I decided to give it a shot. After some thought, I entered an amateur event called The Pickleball Slam. My partner and I ended up winning the tournament, which earned us the incredible opportunity to play a match against legends Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick. That weekend was truly special and solidified my decision to fully commit to pickleball.
From that moment on, I dove in headfirst. I dedicated myself to training, spending countless hours on the court, trying to catch up to players who had been in the sport for much longer.
Now, in 2025, I’m proud to be ranked #12 in Men’s Singles on the PPA Tour and to compete in Major League Pickleball, alongside teams owned by icons like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and many others.
Today, playing professional pickleball has become my full-time career — and I’m incredibly grateful. The sport has opened up so many amazing opportunities. I’ve traveled across the country and internationally to compete, play exhibitions, and help grow the game. It’s been an unbelievable journey so far, and I’m excited to continue pushing myself and seeing where this path leads.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth. Dealing with a series of injuries was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced. I was performing at such a high level, and just as I was reaching the peak of my tennis career, it was my body that ultimately held me back from competing more. At that time, tennis wasn’t just something I did — it was a huge part of my identity — and I was only 15 years old. It might sound niche to some, but going through that took a serious toll on my mental health as well.
That said, I truly believe those kinds of struggles shape you. In my case, they made me stronger — and they ultimately led me to discover pickleball and build the career I have today, which I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Professional Pickleball Player. I’m proud of being able to wake up every day and have something to work at and get better at. What sets me apart from others is my ability to do thing off the court in pickleball like content, commentating, hosting events, running large clinics, and more.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Pro Pickleball is new and rapidly changing. The biggest thing I learned is how fast it is to get better at the beginning but likely you with hit plateaus. This can be challenging but you have to push through them and believe in the process of hard work and perseverance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Roscoebellamy.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/roscoebellamy
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/roscoebellamy
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/roscoebellamy
Image Credits
PPA Tour
