In this Connor Garnett biography and profile, you’ll find his background, career highlights, rankings, personal life, sponsors, and the key facts that matter most.
Basics
Full Name: Connor Garnett
Nationality: American
Born: 1997 (Age 28)
Birthplace: Bellevue, Washington, USA
Height: 5’11” (180 cm)
Current Residence: Costa Mesa, California
Playing Style: Right-handed with two-handed backhand (“Twoey”)
Year Turned Pro: 2022
Education: Santa Clara University (B.S. Finance, 2019); University of Nottingham (M.S. Finance & Investments, 2020)
Astrological Sign: Not publicly disclosed
Record
Current PPA Tour Rankings: #4 in Men’s Singles (career-high #3)
DUPR Rating: 6.78
Career Stats: 78+ professional tournaments, 668+ career matches, ~60% career win rate (as of late 2025)
Major Achievements:
- First Triple Crown winner in PPA Tour Asia history (Sansan Fukuoka Open, August 2025)
- Won first PPA gold at the Veolia LA Open in men’s singles (April 2024)
- Second PPA singles gold at the Selkirk Kansas City Open (August 2024)
- Reached World #3 in PPA men’s singles
- 22+ career PPA medals across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles
- ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 highlight for a signature two-handed backhand point
- Three-time Washington state high school singles tennis champion (Interlake HS, undefeated career)
- 72 career singles wins at Santa Clara University, tied for fourth all-time in program history
- 2017 WCC Male Sportsmanship Award; three-time WCC All-Academic Team
Socials
Instagram: @congarnett – 20K+ followers
Official Website: CG Pickleball
PPA Tour Profile: Connor Garnett
DUPR Profile: Connor Garnett DUPR
Bio
Connor Garnett went from an undefeated Washington state high school tennis champion to one of the most distinctive players in professional pickleball. Born and raised in Bellevue, Washington, he grew up playing baseball before switching to tennis, where he dominated the junior circuit. At Interlake High School, he captured three state singles titles and finished his prep career undefeated, ranked as the No. 1 player in the state.
Garnett earned a spot on Santa Clara University’s Division I tennis team, where he played all four years and finished with 72 career singles wins, tied for fourth all-time in Broncos history. He served as team co-captain his senior year, earned WCC All-Academic honors three consecutive seasons, and took home the 2017 WCC Male Sportsmanship Award. He graduated in 2019 with a finance degree from the Leavey School of Business.
Career Timeline:
- 2015–2019: Division I tennis at Santa Clara University; 72 career singles wins; team co-captain as a senior; graduated with B.S. in Finance
- 2019–2020: Pursued master’s degree in finance and investments at the University of Nottingham; competed in ITF Futures tennis events across Europe
- 2020–2022: Worked as an investment banking analyst at D.A. Davidson in Orange County; hitting partner at the US Open for players including Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep
- 2022: Discovered pickleball in April; earned silver in both singles and doubles at his first pro tournament; signed with PPA and drafted into MLP
- 2023: Left investment banking to compete on the PPA Tour full-time; joined the Chicago Slice (MLP Challenger) and later the Bay Area Breakers
- 2024: Won first PPA gold at the LA Open in April; second PPA gold at Kansas City Open in August; traded to the Utah Black Diamonds mid-season
- 2025: Reached World #3 in men’s singles; captured the first-ever Triple Crown in PPA Tour Asia history at the Sansan Fukuoka Open
- 2026: Signed with Paddletek following the ProXR–Paddletek Group merger
After moving back to the US during the pandemic, Garnett picked up a paddle for the first time in April 2022 and was in pro tournaments by year-end. Known for his two-handed backhand (the “Twoey”), explosive court coverage, and around-the-post shots from unlikely angles, he has become one of the most copied and most marketable singles players on tour. He also runs Twoey Pickleball Lab and is a partner in Side Out Pickleball Centers and Ballers Social Club.
Personal
Family: Son of Dale Garnett (investment banker, CEO of Borealis Capital) and Christine Garnett; family roots in Montana
Education: B.S. Finance, Santa Clara University (2019); M.S. Finance & Investments, University of Nottingham (2020)
Residence: Costa Mesa, California (Orange County)
Hobbies: Golf, woodworking, hiking, backpacking, and camping; avid outdoorsman
Business Ventures: Partner and strategic advisor at The Picklr Canada; equity partner in Ballers Social Club (alongside Andre Agassi, Sloane Stephens, and Tyrese Maxey); co-founder of Side Out Pickleball Centers with his father
Philosophy: Obsessed with the learning side of pickleball (“every shot is new”); emphasizes discipline and mastering fundamentals
Partners
Current Paddle:
Paddletek (signed January 2026 following the Paddletek–ProXR merger)
Previous Paddle:
ProXR Connor Garnett Signature (2023–2025) – bestselling signature paddle with T700 raw carbon face and 6-inch elongated handle designed for his two-handed backhand
Current MLP Team:
Utah Black Diamonds (since July 2024, after trade from Columbus Sliders)
Frequent PPA Partners:
- Tyler Loong (Men’s Doubles)
- Allyce Jones (Mixed Doubles)
Major Sponsors:
- Paddletek (Paddle)
- ZYIA Active (Apparel)
- The Picklr (Indoor court network)
- Warren Street Wealth Advisors
FAQs
How did Connor Garnett transition from tennis to pickleball?
After four years of Division I tennis at Santa Clara, a master’s degree at Nottingham, and two years as an investment banking analyst in Orange County, Garnett picked up a paddle in April 2022. He won silver in singles and doubles at his first pro tournament and left banking in early 2023 to compete full-time.
What is the “Twoey” and why is it Connor Garnett’s signature shot?
The “Twoey” is Garnett’s two-handed backhand, carried over from his tennis days and refined for attacking off the bounce at the kitchen line. It generates unusual power and angles, earned him a SportsCenter Top 10 spot, and is now a trademarked brand.
Why did Connor Garnett switch from ProXR to Paddletek in 2026?
Paddletek Group acquired ProXR in late 2025, merging both brands under one roof. Garnett moved with the acquisition alongside Riley Newman and Zane Navratil, joining Paddletek’s pro roster in January 2026 when the unified company launched its new performance line.
What businesses does Connor run outside of playing pro pickleball?
Garnett runs Twoey Pickleball Lab (online coaching) and Twoey Nation merchandise, co-founded Side Out Pickleball Centers with his father, serves as a strategic advisor to The Picklr Canada, and holds an equity stake in Ballers Social Club alongside Andre Agassi and Sloane Stephens.
