In this Andrei Daescu biography and profile, you’ll find his background, career highlights, rankings, personal life, sponsors, and the key facts that matter most.
Basics
Full Name: Andrei Dăescu
Nickname: Andrei the Giant
Nationality: Romanian
Born: August 28, 1988 (Age 37)
Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania
Height: 6’4″ (193 cm)
Current Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Playing Style: Right-handed
Year Turned Pro (Pickleball): 2022
Education: University of Oklahoma
Languages: Romanian and English
Career Prize Money: Estimated $300,000+
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Record
Current DUPR Rating: 7.022 (World #2 as of April 2026)
PPA Tour Rankings: Top 5 in Men’s Doubles | Top 5 in Mixed Doubles
MLP Status: Player for the Columbus Sliders
Major Achievements:
- 2x MLP Champion (2023 Orlando Squeeze, 2025 Columbus Sliders)
- 6 PPA Tour Men’s Doubles gold medals
- 1 PPA Tour Mixed Doubles gold medal
- 2025 PPA Mesa Open Men’s Doubles gold
- APP Tour #1 ranked in Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles (2022)
- 4 APP Tour gold medals in 2022
- 2024 PPA Mesa Open silver medal
- 2025 MLP Playoff MVP (unofficial) with the Columbus Sliders
- 14-2 doubles record during 2025 MLP playoffs
Tennis Career Highlights:
- Career-high ATP doubles ranking: No. 126
- Career-high ATP singles ranking: No. 654
- 2015 US Open qualifier
- Davis Cup representative for Romania
- NCAA All-American at the University of Oklahoma (2010)
Socials
Instagram: @andreidaescupkl – 19K+ followers
Twitter/X: @AndreiDaescuPkl – 1.9K+ followers
PPA Tour Profile: Andrei Daescu
MLP Profile: Andrei Daescu
Bio
Andrei Daescu went from professional tennis player to one of the most respected names in pickleball, carving out a career defined by consistency, power, and an ability to elevate every partner he plays with. Born in Bucharest, Romania, Daescu picked up a tennis racket at age six after watching his father play recreationally. By 12, he was competing across Europe, and at 18, a scholarship brought him to the University of Oklahoma.
After graduating in 2010 as an All-American, Daescu spent five years on the professional tennis circuit, splitting time between Europe and the United States. He reached No. 126 in ATP doubles, represented Romania in Davis Cup, and qualified for the 2015 US Open. A shoulder surgery ultimately ended his tennis career.
In 2017, while working as the Head Racquet Sports Professional at BallenIsles Country Club in Florida, Daescu was introduced to pickleball through an exhibition at the club. He entered his first local tournament a few weeks later and won. What started as a casual discovery turned into a full-time pursuit by 2022, when he claimed four gold medals on the APP Tour and earned the #1 ranking in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Career Timeline:
- 1988: Born in Bucharest, Romania
- 1994: Started playing tennis at age six
- 2006: Moved to the United States on a tennis scholarship at the University of Oklahoma
- 2010: Graduated as an NCAA All-American
- 2010–2015: Professional tennis career (ATP doubles No. 126, Davis Cup, 2015 US Open)
- 2017: Discovered pickleball at BallenIsles Country Club
- 2022: Turned full-time pro; won 4 APP Tour gold medals; reached #1 in APP doubles and mixed
- 2023: Won MLP Atlanta Championship with the Orlando Squeeze
- 2025: Won MLP Championship with the Columbus Sliders; earned PPA Mesa Open men’s doubles gold
- 2026: Signed with CRBN; ranked #2 in the world on DUPR
Known for his towering presence at the net, elite dinking ability, and one of the most feared serves in pickleball. His rare combination of power and patience has made him one of the few players capable of going toe-to-toe with Ben Johns in extended backhand dink rallies.
Personal
Family: Married to Loredana Dăescu; two daughters, Olivia and Sienna
Parents: Nicolae Dăescu (former professional basketball player) and Laura Dăescu
Sibling: Brother Alexandru Dăescu
Education: University of Oklahoma graduate (Human Resource Management, 2010)
Tennis Background: Former professional tennis player (ATP Tour, Davis Cup)
Professional Role: Head Touring Pro for Racquet Sports at BallenIsles Country Club
Hobbies: Go-karting, table tennis, stand-up comedy, movies
Playing Philosophy: Believes pickleball gave him a second competitive life after tennis, combining the tactical challenge he craved with the joy of competition
Community Impact: Instrumental in growing pickleball at BallenIsles Country Club, helping transform the facility from a few taped tennis courts into a nine-court, $1.3 million pickleball complex
Partners
Current Paddle:
CRBN TruFoam Barrage 2 (signed with CRBN in March 2026)
Major Sponsors:
- CRBN (Paddle sponsor, signed 2026)
- Mizuno (Footwear and apparel)
- Leorever (Additional sponsor)
- Major League Pickleball (Columbus Sliders)
Business Ventures:
- Luxury Pickle Travel (Curated luxury pickleball vacation experiences)
- BallenIsles Country Club (Head Touring Pro for Racquet Sports)
- Professional content creation and brand partnerships
FAQs
How did Andrei Daescu transition from tennis to pickleball?
After shoulder surgery ended his professional tennis career in 2015, Daescu was working as the head pro at BallenIsles Country Club in Florida. A pickleball exhibition at the club in 2017 introduced him to the sport, and he won his first local tournament just weeks later. He went full-time in 2022 and hasn’t looked back.
What makes Daescu’s playing style unique?
After years as Proton’s most recognizable sponsored pro, Daescu signed with CRBN in March 2026. He was spotted play-testing the CRBN TruFoam Barrage before the deal was confirmed. The switch represents one of the more notable paddle sponsorship changes of 2026.
Why did Daescu leave Proton for CRBN?
Slams are the highest tier on the PPA Tour calendar. They offer the most ranking points (2,000 for winners) and the largest prize pools. There are four Slams per season, and The Masters is always one of them.
What was Daescu’s role in the Columbus Sliders’ 2025 MLP Championship?
Daescu was the heart of that championship run. As the team captain, he compiled a 14-2 doubles record during the playoffs and went undefeated in men’s doubles with partner CJ Klinger. The Sliders entered as the #5 seed and knocked off three higher-seeded teams to win the title, with Daescu widely regarded as the unofficial playoff MVP.
