In this Brooke Buckner biography and profile, you’ll find her background, career highlights, rankings, playing style, personal life, sponsors, and the key facts that matter most.
Basics
Full Name: Brooke Bolender Buckner
Nationality: American
Born: April 8, 1992 (Age 34)
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Height: 5’4″ (162 cm)
Current Residence: Concord, North Carolina
Playing Style: Right-handed, aggressive baseline and net game
Year Turned Pro: 2022
Education: University of Michigan (B.A. Elementary Education, 2015)
Astrological Sign: Aries
Record
Current Status: #4 in PPA Tour Women’s Singles
PPA Tour Rankings: #4 Singles, #23 Doubles, #27 Mixed Doubles
DUPR Rating: 6.01 Singles / 5.88 Doubles
Career Highlights: Inaugural Agassi x JOOLA signature athlete and 2025 MLP Challenger Level Most Valuable Player
Major Achievements:
- 2024 Veolia LA Open gold in Women’s Singles (first PPA title)
- Back-to-back Women’s Singles golds at PPA Bristol Open 2024
- 2025 MLP Challenger Level MVP with Las Vegas Night Owls
- Multiple silver and bronze medals across the 2025 PPA season
- 70+ professional tournaments and 600+ career matches
Socials
Instagram: @brookembuckner – 6K+ followers
Twitter/X: @BrokeBlender – Tournament updates and commentary
PPA Tour Profile: Brooke Buckner – Official rankings and results
Bio
Brooke Buckner is one of pickleball’s clearest tennis-to-pro success stories. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised mostly in Delray Beach, Florida, she trained at the Evert Tennis Academy and reached as high as No. 97 in world junior rankings before becoming one of the most decorated players in University of Michigan tennis history. Her switch to pickleball in October 2020, just months after her son was born, set the stage for a fast and unlikely climb to the top of the women’s game.
Career Timeline:
- 2009-2011: Junior tennis career, qualifying rounds at French Open and Wimbledon
- 2011-2015: Division I tennis at Michigan, four-time All-Big Ten First Team
- 2015-2020: Coaching at Western Michigan, Yale, and UNC Charlotte
- October 2020: First picked up pickleball after birth of son Lucas
- 2022: Turned professional in pickleball
- 2024: Won first PPA gold at the Veolia LA Open, then back-to-back at Bristol
- 2025: Named MLP Challenger Level MVP and joined Agassi x JOOLA
Buckner’s game blends tennis-grade ball striking with steadily improving net play, and she’s known for grinding out three-game wins against veteran opponents. Her ability to compete at the top after returning from her third pregnancy has made her one of the most respected mothers in pro sports.
Personal
Family: Married Adam Buckner in December 2018; three children including son Lucas (born March 2020) and a third child born November 2023
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan (2015)
Hobbies: Spending time with her kids, coaching, watching tennis, country music
Favorites: Mashed potatoes (favorite food) and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes (go-to walkout song)
Philosophy: Tennis-built work ethic and a long-term, family-first approach to a pro career
Partners
Current Paddle:
JOOLA Andre Agassi Pro 14mm Pickleball Paddle (inaugural Agassi x JOOLA signature athlete)
Major Sponsors:
- JOOLA (Paddle and apparel sponsor, Agassi x JOOLA team)
MLP Team:
Las Vegas Night Owls (2025 Challenger Level MVP)
FAQs
What is Brooke Buckner’s tennis background?
Brooke played Division I tennis at the University of Michigan, where she set program records with 112 singles wins, 121 doubles wins, and 233 combined victories, earning four All-Big Ten First Team selections and ITA All-American honors.
When did Brooke Buckner start playing pickleball?
Brooke picked up pickleball in October 2020, just a few months after the birth of her son Lucas. She turned professional in 2022 and quickly climbed into the top tier of PPA Tour women’s singles competition.
What paddle does Brooke Buckner use?
Brooke plays with the JOOLA Andre Agassi Pro 14mm pickleball paddle. She is the inaugural member of the Agassi x JOOLA team and debuted the signature paddle at the 2025 PPA Tucson Open.
What MLP team does Brooke Buckner play for?
Brooke competes for the Las Vegas Night Owls in Major League Pickleball. She was named the 2025 MLP Challenger Level Most Valuable Player after a standout season filled with big-match wins and strong leadership.
