By Rich Chrampanis
FAIR HAVEN – Kate Fahey cemented her legacy as a tennis legend by winning a New Jersey state singles championship at Rumson-Fair Haven, followed by an All-American career at the University of Michigan, where she is the Maize and Blue’s all-time wins leader on the court and a two-time Big Ten women’s tennis player of the year.
In 2019, she achieved a world ranking in singles and doubles and won smaller pro events before a wrist injury ended her tennis career.
But there’s a new racket and a new beginning for Fahey in the growing sport of pickleball.
“After four wrist surgeries and two foot surgeries, I was forced to medically retire from professional tennis,” Fahey said. “After four years of working in the corporate world, my coworker asked if I wanted to play in a local pickleball tournament in New Jersey in July of 2023. Ever since, I have been absolutely hooked and play as much as I can.”
Fahey reached the championship match in the Association of Pro Pickleball Players (APP) tour stop in Newport Beach, California, where she lost in three sets to Megan Fudge, earning a silver medal. After losing the first set 22-20, Fahey rebounded to win the second 15-12 and had three match points before losing 19-17 in the decisive third set.
A relative newcomer on the world pickleball circuit, Fahey’s effort in California has gained the attention of those who follow the sport closely. She was also drafted by the St. Louis Shock in Major League Pickleball.
As a result of her meteoric rise, she has left the corporate world and is back on tour, this time in multiple professional pickleball leagues.
“About a month ago, I quit my full-time job as a product manager at American Express to pursue full-time professional pickleball,” Fahey said. “I have a professional tournament almost every weekend, whether it’s PPA, APP, or MLP (team event). I have a full schedule and I’m very excited to continue to improve with a robust schedule.”
It didn’t take long for Fahey to become a rising star in the fast-rising sport. It’s hard to top her tennis resume, but Kate Fahey the pickleball player is on the path to becoming one of the best in the world in a sport that continues to grow in leaps and bounds. She understands the sport’s seemingly instant popularity and why more than 36 million people have picked up a pickleball racket.
“I believe it’s due to the welcoming nature of the sport. Anyone of any age can pick up a paddle and play,” she said. “It’s extremely fun and very social. Also, the more you play, the better you get, so it’s addicting.”
The article originally appeared in the July 11 – 17, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
