Miami teen Cailyn Campbell goes from silent to pro pickleball

Cailyn Campbell now competes against the world’s best pickleball players at 16.

Growing up in Homestead and later Palmetto Bay, Campbell struggled with selective mutism. She did not speak to coaches or extended family members, though she talked freely at home. Her parents introduced her to tennis at age three. She says her quiet nature helped her focus. While other children socialized, she practiced alone by feeding balls to herself.

Campbell’s brother Cason introduced her to pickleball when she was 13. Cason is also a professional player and needed a hitting partner. Campbell initially resisted the switch because she was dedicated to tennis. She also felt she was not skilled enough at first.

“I didn’t really like it too much in the beginning,” Campbell recalls. “I was so set on tennis. Also, I wasn’t very good when I started.”

Cason drilled with her daily and helped develop her game. Campbell began performing well in tournaments. She made the full switch from tennis to pickleball about two years ago. By age 15, she turned professional. She signed a contract with the Professional Pickleball Association in 2025. A victory over a top-seeded player at age 14 helped establish her reputation.

Since then, Campbell has earned three PPA bronze medals in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her women’s doubles bronze marked the first time she reached a tournament semifinal. “I had a great partner, and I was really happy that I was good enough to compete alongside her,” she says.

Competing against older professionals requires adjusting to changing strategies during matches. “It’s about knowing when to adjust your game plan and patterns,” Campbell explains. She plays for Major League Pickleball’s SoCal Hard Eights. The team support on the sidelines provides a loud and positive atmosphere during matches.

In 2026, Campbell signed with Six Zero Pickleball, an Australian-based brand. She says the company makes her feel like part of a family. Her routine includes fitness training three mornings a week, homework, and hours of drilling with Cason on their home court. During tournaments, she competes in three events per day as long as she continues to win.

Campbell often travels to Broward County for practice matches with her brother. They do this because there are relatively few professional players in Miami-Dade County. She is known for staying calm under pressure. She also dances on the court when music plays. “I love music and dancing and having fun, so I just do it whenever there’s music, or if I’m singing in my head,” she says.

Away from the court, Campbell spends time with friends and outdoors. Her parents drive her to tournaments and support her financially. They stand behind her whether she wins or loses. She hopes to climb the professional rankings and win a gold medal. She is also launching Court Composure, a company selling hoodies with inspirational sports messages. The name reflects the composed presence she shows during competition.

For young people who are shy, Campbell advises them not to fear talking to others. “There is no need to rush,” she says. “Nobody’s judging you.”