Teenage Pickleball Pro Cailyn Campbell Conquers Silence

Cailyn Campbell used to refuse to speak to anyone outside her immediate family.

The 16-year-old from Palmetto Bay, Florida, is now a professional pickleball player who competes against the world's top athletes. She signed a contract with the Professional Pickleball Association in 2025. Campbell has since won three PPA bronze medals in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her doubles medal marked her first appearance in a tournament semifinal.

Campbell was born in Homestead and moved to Palmetto Bay at age nine. She suffered from selective mutism as a child, remaining silent in social settings despite being talkative at home. Her parents introduced her to tennis at age three. She credits her quiet nature for helping her focus. While other children socialized, Campbell practiced alone, feeding balls to herself on the court. "I think it helped me get better in the sport," she says.

Pickleball entered her life at age 13 through her older brother, Cason, who also plays professionally. Cason needed a partner and turned to his tennis-playing sister. Campbell initially resisted the switch. "I didn’t really like it too much in the beginning," she recalls. "I was so set on tennis. Also, I wasn’t very good when I started." Cason became her daily training partner and informal coach. Campbell made the full switch from tennis to pickleball about two years ago. A victory over a top-seeded player at age 14 helped establish her reputation.

The transition brought personal growth. Clinics and tournaments helped her overcome her shyness. Competing against older professionals presents specific challenges. Campbell notes that adjusting strategy during a match requires experience. "It’s about knowing when to adjust your game plan and patterns," she explains. Since 2025, she has played for Major League Pickleball’s SoCal Hard Eights. She values the team support. "Having a team supporting you on the sideline no matter what happens on the court.. it is really cool," she says.

In 2026, Campbell signed with Six Zero Pickleball, an Australian-based brand. She describes the organization as feeling like a family. Her daily routine is demanding. When home, she trains three mornings a week and spends hours drilling with Cason on their home court. During tournaments, she competes in three events per day. Because few professional players are based in Miami-Dade County, she often travels to Broward for practice matches with her brother.

Campbell is known for her composure under pressure. She remains focused regardless of the score. Spectators also see a playful side, as she often dances on the court. "I love music and dancing and having fun, so I just do it whenever there’s music," she says. Her parents drive her to tournaments and support her financially. They remain steady whether she wins or loses. Campbell is preparing to launch Court Composure, a merchandise line featuring hoodies and inspirational sports messages. The name reflects her calm demeanor on the court. She hopes to climb the professional rankings and win a gold medal.