Tyler Loong

Tyler Loong is a professional pickleball player competing on thePPA Tourin men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and men’s singles. One of the few left-handed players on the professional circuit, Loong has earned the nickname“The Erne King”for his unmatched ability to turn nearly any ball into anErne— one of pickleball’s most exciting and difficult-to-execute shots. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Loong graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Before turning pro, he worked as a sports manager in the higher education industry. His introduction to pickleball came through his neighbor, Tyler Sheffield, a top-ranked senior player who recognized Loong’s natural athleticism and tennis background. From his very first game, Loong was hooked — and he quickly rose through the amateur ranks before turning pro in 2020. “My neighbor had asked many times to play pickleball with me, and sure enough, once I was able to play even just once, I was hooked. I absolutely loved pickleball from the beginning — it was so much fun and I simply couldn’t stop playing.” — Tyler Loong Loong’s left-handed game creates unique angles that disrupt opponents’ rhythm, and his signatureErneis widely considered the best in professional pickleball. His combination of court speed, aggressive net play, and creative shot-making makes him one of the most entertaining players to watch on thePPA Tour. He describes himself in three words:optimistic, focused, and energetic. Beyond his own competitive career, Loong has been a driving force behind the growth of youth pickleball. He plays an active role in promoting the Junior PPA Tour, helping provide pathways for young players to compete and develop their skills at everyPPA Tour stop. “Everyone always says ‘the kids are the future of the sport,’ and I truly believe this and want to provide a pathway for the juniors to have the best opportunities available. The Junior PPA Tour will be at every one of the PPA stops.” — Tyler Loong Loong is known for his thoughtful approach to player development. His advice to aspiring professionals emphasizes patience and incremental progress over chasing overnight success. “Practice, and set specific and realistic goals. I see many players who are just starting say ‘I want to go pro.’ Start with smaller steps — win gold in a4.0 tournament, then a 4.5, then focus on the pro division. I’ve seen people have very large dreams and when they don’t achieve them, they lose interest.” — Tyler Loong Tyler Loong is sponsored by Vulcan and plays with theVulcan V1200 T800 Raw Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle. Away from competition, Loong is a self-described technology fanatic with a passion for cameras, phones, and computers. He enjoys traveling, music, and binging new TV shows. Loong and his wife Brittany are the proud parents of two daughters, Ivy and Blair.