'Left corporate 9-to-5 to pursue full-time sport' - Indian-American pickleball star Santhosh Narayanan shares his journey
(Courtesy : World Pickleball League)
Narayanan began playing pickleball just over two years ago.
The World Pickleball League (WPBL) continues to draw talent shaped far beyond one geography, and Santhosh Narayanan fits that identity almost perfectly.
An Indian-American athlete with competitive success across the United States, India, and Australia, Narayanan represents a growing class of globally trained players whose journeys have come full circle, reconnecting with their roots through a league that prizes both quality and character.
At 26, Narayanan’s sporting story began long before pickleball entered his life. As a child, he gravitated towards anything involving a ball, badminton, table tennis, then tennis through high school and college.
Alongside that ran a parallel love for basketball, where years of competitive play sharpened his court vision, athletic balance, and instinct for team dynamics. Those influences still define his game today.
“I have never had formal coaching in racquet sports. I have always been self-taught, studying matches, learning from coaches online, and asking questions of players better than me. Curiosity has driven everything,” he said.
That curiosity led him to pickleball just over two years ago, and the rise since has been steep. Training alongside 6.0+ professionals in the Pacific Northwest, Narayanan quickly transitioned from high-level amateur competition to main draws at PPA events across singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Regional titles followed him, and so did multiple PPA Moneyball wins, which validated his place among the sport’s emerging competitors.
His style is best described as controlled aggression. Narayanan builds points patiently, works his way to the kitchen, and waits for the right moment to strike.
“I like applying pressure without forcing shots. Decision-making under pressure is where matches are won,” he explained.
That mindset has translated especially well in team environments. Representing the Hyderabad Vikings in the Global Sports Pro League and the New Zealand Hustle in MLP Australia, Narayanan discovered where he truly thrives.
“Team formats bring out a different side of you. The energy, the accountability, I love competing for something shared,” he added.
Beyond results, his story carries a wider resonance. An Indian-origin athlete who grew up abroad, Narayanan’s return to compete in India through the World Pickleball League reflects the league’s growing global pull.
In Season 2, the WPBL has become a magnet for players shaped by international systems who see India as a serious sporting destination again.
Off the court, Narayanan balances competition with innovation. He runs Speedup Pickleball, a US-based paddle brand known for pioneering extra-long handles, while also coaching and mentoring upcoming players. Having left a corporate 9-to-5 to pursue sport full-time, his commitment is complete.
“I am here to keep improving and to give back to the game. If my journey helps inspire others, especially kids who look like me, that holds massive significance.”
In Santhosh, the WPBL has gained a symbol of how far the sport has travelled, and how wide its net has grown in merely a couple of campaigns thus far.
Who is Santhosh Narayanan?
Santhosh Narayanan is an Indian-American pickleball player who has competed across the USA, India, and Australia and currently features in the World Pickleball League (WPBL).
Which sports did Narayanan play before pickleball?
He played badminton, table tennis, tennis, and basketball at competitive levels.
When did Santhosh Narayanan start playing pickleball?
He began playing pickleball just over two years ago.
Has Narayanan received formal racquet sports coaching?
No, he is largely self-taught and learned through online resources, match analysis, and guidance from other players.
Which teams has he represented in team leagues?
He has played for the Hyderabad Vikings in the Global Sports Pro League and the New Zealand Hustle in MLP Australia.
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Alex graduated in mass communication in 2016 and has been covering global sports for Khel Now since then. He is covering sports tech, igaming, sports betting and casino domain from 2017.