Sydney Steinaker, author of Play Pickleball, has been playing pickleball since summer 2020 and has since become heavily involved in the sport in her quest to turn from beginner to pro. With no tennis or racquet sports background, she has had to learn the basics of pickleball from the ground up. In early 2021, she began traveling the United States for pickleball tournaments, clinics, and events. Because she travels so much for the sport, she has been exposed to amateur and professional pickleball culture in nearly every region of the United States.
When she isn’t playing pickleball, she is making humorous niche content about pickleball on TikTok and Instagram (@sydneysteinaker). Even though her content is for a younger demographic to help spark interest in the sport, she has fans of all ages, from coast to coast, as well as internationally. She also hosts a pickleball-themed podcast called The Basic Dink, which outlines her journey as an amateur player trying to turn pro, along with quirky tournament stories.
Brands she has worked with or has appeared in campaigns for include Fila, Asics, Athleta, Stance, Third Love, Splits59, Eleven by Venus Williams, Franklin Sports, Selkirk Sports, Pickleball Central, In Pickleball Magazine, Racquet Sports Inc., Luxe Pickleball, and many more.