Pickleball is surging in popularity across the UK, transforming leisure centres in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow into vibrant hubs for players of all levels. With the sport growing at a 15% annual rate and over 10,000 UK players, the rise of international stars like Etta Tuionetoa offers inspiration for beginners (40% of the market) and advanced competitors.

As the first Tongan-American professional pickleball player, Tuionetoa’s athletic journey, cultural heritage, and competitive prowess have captivated fans worldwide. Known for her versatility and powerful presence on the court, she’s a standout on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). For UK players aiming to elevate their game, Tuionetoa’s techniques, paired with a high-quality carbon fibre pickleball paddle like the Volleyer T700, provide a blueprint for success. This guide explores Tuionetoa’s career, playing style, and practical tips for UK players to master pickleball in 2025, from Cardiff to Edinburgh. For more on pickleball basics, see our what is pickleball guide.

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Who is Etta Tuionetoa?

Etta Tuionetoa, formerly known as Etta Wright, was born in New Zealand and is the first Tongan-American professional pickleball player. Now 32 years old and standing at 5’10” (177 cm), she resides in American Fork, Utah, with her husband, Jake, and daughter, Isla. Tuionetoa’s athletic journey began in New Zealand, where she excelled in multiple sports, including netball, touch rugby, basketball, soccer, field hockey, and tennis. Her passion for tennis led her to play varsity at Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii), where she honed her racket skills and later served as an assistant tennis coach. Introduced to pickleball in 2018 by her uncle, Tuionetoa’s diverse athletic background made her a natural, and she turned pro in 2022 on the PPA Tour. Her rapid rise includes a top 13 ranking in women’s doubles (4550 points), top 6 in mixed doubles (5300 points), and multiple medals in her rookie year. For UK players, her journey from tennis to pickleball mirrors the path of many transitioning players (see our tennis to pickleball guide), making her a relatable role model for those in London clubs using a carbon fibre pickleball paddle like the Volleyer T700.

Off the court, Tuionetoa enjoys spending time with her daughter, watching Downton Abbey, and learning Spanish and Mandarin, showcasing her multifaceted personality. Her cultural heritage and dedication inspire UK players in multicultural communities like Bristol, encouraging participation with a USAPA approved paddle (see our grips guide).

Why Etta Tuionetoa Inspires UK Pickleball Players

Tuionetoa’s meteoric rise and versatile playstyle make her a standout for UK players. Her transition from a multi-sport athlete to a pickleball pro highlights how diverse skills can translate to success on the 20x44ft court. With a 2025 season win rate of 66.2% across 65 matches (43-22), including 287 career wins over 458 matches, she’s a force in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her performances, such as reaching the mixed doubles final with Christian Alshon at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships (see our upcoming guide on this match), resonate with UK players aiming for competitive play in events like the English Championships. Using a paddle like the Volleyer T700, with its Japanese Toray T700 carbon fibre face, allows players to emulate her spin-heavy shots on damp UK courts (see our wet weather tips).

Tuionetoa’s story as the first Tongan-American pro adds cultural significance, inspiring UK’s diverse pickleball community. Her balance of professional play and family life motivates beginners in Manchester to join local clubs and practise consistently, while her aggressive style encourages advanced players in Glasgow to refine their techniques with a USAPA approved paddle.

Key Techniques from Etta Tuionetoa’s Playstyle

Tuionetoa’s success stems from her athletic versatility, strategic shot selection, and powerful court presence, all of which UK players can adopt:

• Aggressive Net Play: Her tennis-honed reflexes shine in the kitchen, where she dominates with quick volleys and speed-ups, as seen in her 2025 Atlanta mixed doubles final with Alshon. UK players can practise 20 volleys per session to build similar reflexes (see our kitchen rules guide).
• Powerful Drives: Standing at 5’10”, Tuionetoa’s height aids her forceful drives, disrupting opponents. The Volleyer T700’s carbon fibre face enhances power for similar shots (see our spin guide).
• Strategic Dinking: Her precise dinks control rallies, as seen in her women’s doubles matches with Lacy Schneemann. Practise 20 backspin dinks to replicate her precision on Cardiff courts.
• Versatile Positioning: Tuionetoa’s multi-sport background allows fluid court coverage, ideal for singles and doubles. UK players can run 15 baseline-to-net transitions to build agility (see our drills guide).
• Spin Mastery: Her spin-heavy shots, enabled by her JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 14mm paddle, create challenging angles. The T700’s textured surface offers similar spin for UK players.

These techniques, paired with a durable paddle, help UK players navigate varied court conditions, from indoor leisure centres to outdoor asphalt. Regular maintenance of the T700 ensures optimal performance (see our cleaning guide).

Etta Tuionetoa’s 2025 Highlights: Lessons for UK Players

Tuionetoa’s 2025 season showcased her as a rising star, offering lessons for UK players:

• Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships (May 2025): Partnering with Christian Alshon, Tuionetoa reached the mixed doubles final, defeating Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson in a thrilling 12-10, 7-11, 12-10 semi-final. Her aggressive net play and teamwork highlight strategies for UK doubles players (see our upcoming guide on this match).
• PPA Bristol Open (August 2025): Tuionetoa and Lacy Schneemann fought through tough women’s doubles matches, showcasing resilience despite a Round of 16 loss. Her defensive scrambling offers lessons for UK players on slick indoor courts.
• MLP Trade to Carolina Hogs (June 2025): Tuionetoa’s trade to Carolina, pairing with Ben Johns, strengthened her mixed doubles game, with a 14-10 MLP record. This adaptability inspires UK players to adjust strategies in league play.

These performances, viewable on platforms like Selkirk TV, demonstrate Tuionetoa’s versatility, encouraging UK players to use a carbon fibre pickleball paddle like the T700 to replicate her spin and power.

Practical Tips for UK Players to Emulate Tuionetoa

To incorporate Tuionetoa’s techniques, try these tips tailored for UK courts:

• Net Play Drills: Practise 20 quick volleys per session with the Volleyer T700 to mimic Tuionetoa’s kitchen dominance, ideal for indoor Manchester courts (see our kitchen rules guide).
• Power Drives: Use the T700’s 14mm core for 15 drive drills, targeting deep court corners to emulate her aggressive shots (see our spin guide).
• Dinking Precision: Practise 20 backspin dinks, aiming for low bounces in the kitchen, perfect for damp Brighton courts (see our drills guide).
• Court Coverage: Run 15 baseline-to-net sprints to build agility for singles, as Tuionetoa does in MLP matches. This suits outdoor Southampton courts.
• Grip Adaptation: Use a Semi-Western grip for spin-heavy shots, switching during 10 rallies for versatility with the T700’s tennis-like grip (see our grips guide).
• Stacking for Doubles: Practise 20 stacking drills with a partner to master positioning, as Tuionetoa does with Schneemann (see our stacking guide).

For wet UK weather, the T700’s sweat-wicking grip ensures control. Clean it regularly to maintain spin (see our cleaning guide). These drills help avoid common errors (see our mistakes guide).

Where to Practise Pickleball in the UK

To master Tuionetoa’s techniques, practise at top UK venues:

• Barnet Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, London (Watling Avenue, Burnt Oak, Edgware, London HA8 0NP): Indoor courts for dinking drills.
• The Albert Club, Manchester (39-41 Old Lansdowne Road, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2PA): Ideal for net play practise.
• Ashton Gate Sports Centre, Bristol (Ashton Road, Bristol BS3 2EJ): Converted courts for beginners to test drives.
• Glasgow Pickleball Club at Bellahouston (31 Bellahouston Drive, Glasgow G52 1HH): Indoor facilities for stacking drills.

Find more venues via www.playpickleball.uk. USAPA approval soley ensures tournament readiness.

The UK Pickleball Scene in 2025

With dedicated courts at venues like David Lloyd Leisure and events hosted by Pickleball England, the UK’s pickleball community is thriving. Tuionetoa’s success, using a USAPA approved paddle, inspires players to aim for competitive play. The Volleyer T700 aligns with global standards, preparing you for tournaments. As pickleball eyes Olympic inclusion, practising with quality gear is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Etta Tuionetoa?
The first Tongan-American pickleball pro, ranked top 13 in women’s doubles and top 6 in mixed doubles, known for her versatile play.

What are Tuionetoa’s key techniques?
Aggressive net play, powerful drives, precise dinking, and spin mastery, ideal for UK players to emulate.

What’s the best pickleball paddle in the UK?
The Volleyer T700 (£64.79) offers spin, power, and durability for all levels.

Where can I practise pickleball in the UK?
Try Barnet Burnt Oak (London, HA8 0NP) or The Albert Club (Manchester, M20 2PA).

Join the Volleyer Community

Join the UK’s growing pickleball community and share your practise tips with #VolleyerUK. Whether in a Bristol club or a London tournament, Tuionetoa’s techniques inspire success. Explore more pro insights in our guides (see our Staksrud guide or Bright/Alshon vs Sock/Jansen guide). Visit volleyer.co.uk to discover the best pickleball paddles in the UK and resources for mastering pickleball in 2025.

Ready to dominate like Etta Tuionetoa? Shop Volleyer Now and get the Volleyer T700, the best pickleball paddle in the UK!