JOOLA Japan Signs Former Pro Tennis Player Kanami Nishimura to Pickleball Partnership

Former professional tennis player Kanami Nishimura has signed a player contract with JOOLA Japan to compete in pickleball, prtimes.jp reported. Nishimura, who became the youngest player to turn professional under the Japan Tennis Association at age 14 in April 2010, is making a full transition to the fast-growing paddle sport after stepping away from tennis to marry and start a family.

The Youngest Tennis Turn to Pickleball

Nishimura first gained international attention in 2010 by winning Les Petits As, widely considered the premier international junior tennis tournament for players 14 and under, becoming the first Asian player to claim the title. On April 22, 2010, at 14 years and three months old, she took the youngest-ever professional turn recognized by the JTA. Following her marriage and the birth of her children, she returned to competition before setting her sights on pickleball for 2026.

JOOLA, founded in Germany in 1952, built its reputation over seven decades in table tennis before entering the pickleball market in 2022. The brand now supplies equipment to top-tier international players and operates a Japanese subsidiary established in June 2024 to support domestic tournaments like the PPA Asia Sansan Tokyo Open and PJ Pickleball Championships.

High-Performance Gear Selection and Media Launch

For her competitive debut, Nishimura chose the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion Pro V 16mm Bolt Blue paddle. “I feel that the Hyperion makes it easy to grip the ball firmly and control it exactly as I envision,” Nishimura said in a statement released by prtimes.jp. “I particularly like the feel of dinks and drops. In pickleball, not only power but also delicate touch and control are extremely important, so I’m attracted to how it supports both of those at a high level.”

JOOLA Japan scheduled an introductory media event for October 26, 2026, at PICKLE GARAGE in Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, to formally introduce the partnership and provide individual interview opportunities.

Exhibition Debut at Pickleball EXPO 2026

Nishimura will make her first public appearance under the JOOLA banner at Pickleball EXPO 2026, scheduled from November 13 through November 15, 2026, at the Yokohama International Pool sports floor. Admission to the venue is free.

On the opening day, November 13, 2026, she is scheduled to headline a Meet & Greet program from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the JOOLA court. The session features live demonstrations and rallies with attendees rather than a structured lesson format.

Nishimura described her transition to pickleball as more than a simple change in sports, viewing it as the beginning of a new chapter in her life as an athlete. She expressed a hope that by continuing to challenge herself as a mother and as an athlete, she can inspire others—including other mothers and women—to pursue their own new dreams.