4X VSU Alumna Shines as First Belgian Player on PPA Tour

Estee Widdershoven, a four-time VSU alumna, played tennis at VSU and is now the first Belgian competing on the Professional Pickleball Association Tour.

VALDOSTA, Ga. – From the tennis courts at Valdosta State University (VSU) to playing pickleball across the United States and the world, Estee Widdershoven is making a name for herself on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour.

Widdershoven, originally from Maaseik, Belgium, came to VSU to play tennis. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management in 2020. She also earned a Master of Business Administration in 2022 and a Master of Public Administration in 2024, making her a four-time VSU alumna. After her collegiate playing career was over, Widdershoven served as a graduate assistant for the VSU’s Men’s Tennis team that won back-to-back National Championships in 2024 and 2025.

Earlier this year, Widdershoven signed a three year contract with the PPA, becoming the first Belgian player on the tour. We asked her about making the transition from tennis to pickleball, what life has been like as a professional athlete, and what she would tell someone considering attending college at VSU. 

How did you get into pickleball?

I got into pickleball after finishing my second master’s degree at VSU, when I was offered a job as a facility manager at an indoor pickleball facility in August 2024. That’s really where it all started. I played my first tournament, and honestly, it was pretty horrible! But I didn’t give up. At my second tournament in Daytona Beach, I competed at the highest amateur level and ended up winning two gold medals and one silver. That gave me a lot of confidence and made me realize I might actually have something in this sport. In December, I played my first professional tournament and qualified for two main draws, which was a huge moment for me. After just a few tournaments, things started moving pretty quickly, and that’s when I began taking pickleball seriously and realized I wanted to see how far I could go with it.

What was the transition like going from tennis to pickleball?

I think the transition from tennis to pickleball went pretty well for me because a lot of the skills I had from tennis carried over. I always had good touch and loved coming to the net in tennis, which helped me a lot in pickleball since so much of the game is played at the kitchen line. My reactions from tennis also helped, especially during fast exchanges at the net, which are called ‘handbattles’.

The biggest thing I had to learn was the strategy behind pickleball. It’s not just about hitting the ball well. You have to understand when to speed up, when to slow things down, and when to be more aggressive. I already had a good foundation from tennis, but learning how to use those skills in pickleball took time and experience.

How did you end up on the PPA Tour?

Things happened pretty quickly for me. After I started playing PPA tournaments, I had to work my way through the qualifiers every time, and I managed to qualify for the main draw at every tournament I played. That gave me a lot of confidence because I was still relatively new to pickleball, and I started to realize that I could really compete at that level. Eventually, the PPA reached out to me and offered me a contract, which was a really exciting moment. I never expected things to move so quickly when I first started playing pickleball, so getting that opportunity made me realize that I could actually build a professional career out of it. I'm really grateful for how things have worked out so far, and it motivates me to keep pushing myself and see how far I can go.

What’s been your biggest success so far?

I would say there are a few things I’m really proud of. Getting my contract with the PPA Tour was a big one because it made me realize that I could actually build a career out of pickleball. Getting drafted into Major League Pickleball was another huge moment. More recently, being selected to play in the first-ever MLP Nations Cup for Team West Europe was really special. It’s an exciting opportunity to compete internationally and represent my region in such a new event. Playing for Belgium at the World Cup is also something I’ll always be proud of. Being able to represent my country in a sport I love means a lot to me. And getting sponsored by Selkirk was another exciting milestone, knowing that a brand believes in me and my potential. When I look back at how recently I started playing pickleball, it’s pretty crazy to see how much has happened in such a short time. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far, but I’m definitely hungry for more.

What has surprised you the most about being a professional athlete?

I think what has surprised me the most is how much of being a professional athlete happens off the court. Before I started playing professionally, I knew there would be a lot of training, but I don’t think I realized just how much traveling would be involved. You’re on the road almost every week, staying in hotels and sometimes barely having time to be at home. And even when you do have a week off from tournaments, you’re still practicing, working on your game, and making sure you’re ready for the next one. You always have to find that balance between training, recovery, and everything else that comes with the job.

Something I also never expected was having people recognize me at tournaments and ask for pictures or autographs. It still feels a little surreal sometimes, especially when I think about how recently I started playing pickleball. It’s something I really appreciate, and it’s been a fun part of this journey that I never really thought about before. Overall, being a professional athlete has shown me that there’s so much more to it than just competing, but that’s also what makes the experience so special.

You have four degrees from VSU and also worked on campus as a graduate assistant. What makes VSU such a special place?

VSU has been so much more than a place where I earned my degrees. Coming from Belgium to pursue my education in the United States, VSU became a second home to me. I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has been part of my journey and who made me feel welcome, respected, and supported throughout my time there.

I especially want to thank John Hansen, the head coach of VSU’s tennis team, for believing in me and giving me opportunities to grow. Beyond being a wonderful coach, he is an incredible human being, and I truly appreciate the trust he placed in me. I also want to thank everyone at VSU who helped me along the way. Every interaction and every act of kindness made a difference, and I have always felt that people genuinely cared about me and wanted me to succeed.

One of the things I love most about VSU is the Southern hospitality. People made me feel comfortable, welcomed, and at peace, even when I was far away from my home in Belgium. Whenever I returned to the United States, coming back to VSU felt like coming home to my second family. That feeling is something I will always cherish. VSU gave me incredible academic and professional opportunities, but more importantly, it gave me a sense of belonging and people I will always be grateful for. That is what makes VSU so special to me.

You won two National Championships as a graduate assistant for VSU’s Men’s Tennis teams in 2024 and 2025. What was that experience like?

Being part of the VSU’s Men’s Tennis team when we won the National Championships in 2024 and 2025 was an incredible experience. It was an honor to work with such a talented and hardworking group of players who were willing to put in the time, effort, and dedication it takes to compete at the highest level.

Winning one National Championship is already an amazing accomplishment, but doing it back to back is incredibly difficult. It takes so much consistency, teamwork, sacrifice, and commitment, and I was extremely proud of the team for everything they put into achieving that goal. Seeing all their hard work pay off was a really special feeling.

As a graduate assistant, I was grateful to have the opportunity to support these players and be part of their journey. I was genuinely excited to see them accomplish something so special, and I felt very honored to coach them. Those two championships will always be memorable to me, not only because of the results, but because of the people and the hard work behind them.

What would you tell someone thinking about attending VSU?

I would tell them to take advantage of every opportunity VSU has to offer and not be afraid to challenge themselves. College is about much more than earning a degree; it is also about discovering who you are, building relationships, and preparing for your future. VSU gave me the opportunity to grow academically, gain professional experience, and be part of a successful athletic program. As an international student, I also learned a lot from stepping outside my comfort zone and building a life in a new country. My advice would be to get involved, stay curious, and make the most of your time at VSU. You never know which experience or opportunity might open the door to something bigger.

How long do you plan to play pickleball, and what are your plans after that?

I definitely plan on playing professional pickleball for at least the next three years, since that is the length of my contract with the PPA Tour. I really want to give it my all and see how far I can go. I also know that reaching your highest level takes time and experience, so I want to give myself that time to keep improving, learn from every tournament, and see what I can accomplish.

As for what comes after that, I’m keeping an open mind. I love being involved in sports, but I also spent a lot of time and effort earning my degrees, and I would love to put them to use. I have three degrees in business, so I could definitely see myself working in management at some point. I think it would be exciting to take everything I’ve learned through my education, my experience as a graduate assistant, and my time as a professional athlete and apply it to a new challenge. But for now, I want to focus on pickleball, enjoy the journey, and give myself the best possible chance to succeed.

You can see Widdershoven’ s official PPA Tour page by clicking here.

More on the Web:

Valdosta State University: https://www.valdosta.edu/

VSU Blazer Athletics: https://vstateblazers.com/