Pickleball · Tennis · Japan

Kei Sawaki

Play with Intelligence. Compete with Intensity.
Lead with Integrity. Inspire with Heart.

Gold
World Champs U16 WS '25
Champion
World #5
DUPR Jr Women's S
World Ranking #5
5.278 / 5.171
DUPR D / S
JPN
National Team

Pro Contract

Pro Player Contract

Kei Sawaki — UPA (PPA · MLP) professional player contract SIGNED visual (PPA Tour)
UPAPPAMLPPPA Tour Asia

Signed a professional player contract with the world's premier pickleball tour, UPA (PPA · MLP) — June 2026

The United Pickleball Association (UPA) is the world's largest pickleball governing body, formed by the merger of the PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) and MLP (Major League Pickleball). It oversees the sport's top-tier tournaments and the official player rankings.

In June 2026, Kei Sawaki signed a professional pickleball player contract with the UPA (PPA · MLP).

From here, she will take on even greater challenges on the world stage — at PPA Tour Asia and UPA professional events overseas.

Player's Comment

My long-term goal is to establish an academy and become someone who delivers a positive influence to people around the world through sport. To make that real, I believe I must first challenge myself on the world's highest stage as a player and keep growing. Given this great opportunity to sign with the PPA, I am deeply honored to compete on the same stage as the world's top players.

I am still 15, but I will not use age as an excuse. I believe the value lies in the very act of taking on a challenge, and I will keep aiming higher and competing with the world. With gratitude and humility, I will move forward one step at a time.

Kei Sawaki2026.06.30

Upcoming

Upcoming

Pickleball is the world's fastest-growing sport — and Kei Sawaki is confirmed to compete on its premier Asian stage, the PPA ASIA 500 Sansan TOKYO OPEN 2026 (Produced by TBS).

Top players from Japan and abroad gather for lightning-fast rallies and razor-sharp tactics. Come and witness a 15-year-old take on the world's best — your support powers her on court.

2026.07.23 – 07.26

PPA ASIA 500 Leapmotor Singapore Open

Singapore

About

A Dual-Sport Athlete.

Kei Sawaki was born on August 3, 2010 in Shibuya, Tokyo. She began tennis seriously at age five and built a record among Japan's best juniors; after discovering pickleball in autumn 2024, she reached the international stage within months. Today she competes worldwide as a dual-sport athlete across tennis and pickleball.

A strategic player, she stays composed mid-match — reading her opponent's strengths, weaknesses and patterns, then dismantling them with her own skills. Rooted in a samurai-style two-handed swing that treats the racket like a blade, her delicate touch and supple movement make for a game that captivates spectators.

“Turn every pinch into a chance.”
Every challenge is a new opportunity.

Vision. To become the world's most compelling player and to found a development academy. Through the sport she loves, Kei hopes to bring happiness to as many people around the world as possible and to contribute to international peace — that is her dream and her life's goal.

Intelligence
以智發力
Intensity
以勁盡力
Integrity
以誠立力
Heart
以心聚力

Achievements

Results & Rankings

In 2025 she captured numerous major junior titles across the world and Asia, and in 2026 she continues to win on the global top stage.

2025 · Dallas (USA)
Gold ×3
Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships (PPA Tour): U16 WS · U16 Mixed D · 5.0 Women's D
U16 WD Silver
2025 · Da Nang (VN)
Champion ×2
Asia Pickleball Junior Open: U16 WS · WD (Team Japan)
U18 S/D Runner-up
2026.05 · Macao
Bronze
PPA Asia 500 Macao Open 2026 — Women's Doubles
w/ Rika Fujiwara
2026.06 · Yamaguchi
Champion
Pickleball Japan Open in Yamaguchi (PJF) — Women's Doubles
w/ Mahiro Fukuhara

2026Pickleball

DateTournament (Venue)EventResult
2026.05PPA Asia 500 Macao Open 2026Women's Doubles (w/ Rika Fujiwara)Bronze (3rd)
2026.05PPA Asia 500 Panas Kuala Lumpur Open 2026Women's SinglesRound of 16
2026.06Pickleball Japan Open in Yamaguchi (PJF)Women's Doubles (w/ Mahiro Fukuhara)Champion
2026.05PJ TOKYU RESORTS & STAYS TOP TOUR 2026 T7 HAMANAKOWomen's Doubles (w/ Mahiro Fukuhara)Champion

2025Major World & Asia Titles

Tournament (Venue)EventResult
Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships / PPA Tour (Dallas, USA)U16 Women's SinglesGold
dittoU16 Mixed DoublesGold
dittoChampions Division Under 50 Women's Doubles Skill 5.0 (Age 8–49)Gold
dittoU16 Women's DoublesSilver
dittoChampions Division Under 50 Mixed Doubles Skill 5.0 (Age 8–34)Silver
Asia Pickleball Junior Open (Da Nang, Vietnam)U16 Women's SinglesChampion
dittoU16 Women's DoublesChampion
dittoU18 Women's SinglesRunner-up
dittoU18 Women's DoublesRunner-up

2025Pro & Regional

Tournament (Venue)EventResult
PPA Perth Open (Perth, AUS)Pro Women's SinglesRunner-up
PPA Perth OpenPro Women's Doubles3rd
PPA Perth OpenOpen Women's Doubles / Open DoublesChampion
PPA Hong Kong Open (Hong Kong)U18 DoublesChampion
NPL Championships Brisbane (Brisbane, AUS)19+ Mixed DoublesChampion
PPA MalaysiaU18 Doubles3rd
PPA MB VietnamU18 DoublesRunner-up
PPA / Sansan Fukuoka Open (Fukuoka, JP)U18 Doubles / U18 Women's Singles3rd (each)
Sansan Fukuoka OpenSkill Open DoublesRunner-up
PJF Burger King CupPro League / Team League4th / Runner-up
UTR Pickleball Japan Tour (Japan)DoublesChampion
Hard Off Niigata Open (Niigata, JP)Women's DoublesChampion
DPCKOBE Team League (Japan)TeamChampion

TennisJunior Highlights

YearTournamentEventResult
2022National Elementary ChampionshipsSinglesRunner-up
2024National U14 Select Junior ChampionshipsSingles3rd
2024National U16 MUFG ChampionshipsSinglesQuarterfinals
2025Mainichi Tennis ChampionshipsDoublesQuarterfinals

DUPRRankings & Ratings

World #5
Junior Women's Singles
as of May 2026
World #13
Junior Women's Doubles
as of May 2026
5.278
Doubles rating
as of Jun 2026
5.171
Singles rating
as of Jun 2026

Media

Press & Appearances

Television, specialist magazines and news. For interviews and appearances, please use the contact form.

Watch

Watch

Play footage and media features. Click a thumbnail to play — embedded from official channels.

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Partners

Partners

We take on the world together with the partner companies that support Kei's career. We are deeply grateful for their philosophy and products, and are honored to share their excellence.

* Logos, designated links and copy will be added in sequence. For collaboration inquiries, please use the contact form.

News

Topics

Explore

Explore

AF-302WP KEI SAWAKI EDITION — Kei Sawaki's photochromic anti-fog pickleball sunglassesSignature EyewearAF-302WP KEI SAWAKI EDITIONPhotochromic pink, anti-fog. Kei Sawaki's signature pickleball sunglasses that make the ball pop.View the KEI SAWAKI EDITION

Q & A

Frequently Asked

Who is Kei Sawaki?
Kei Sawaki is a Japanese dual-sport pickleball & tennis athlete, born August 3, 2010 in Tokyo. She won U16 Women's Singles gold at the 2025 Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships (PPA Tour) and is ranked World #5 in DUPR Junior Women's Singles.
What titles has she won?
Gold in U16 Women's Singles, U16 Mixed Doubles and 5.0 Women's Doubles at the 2025 Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships; champion in U16 Women's Singles & Doubles at the Asia Pickleball Junior Open; and 2026 Women's Doubles titles at the Japan Open in Yamaguchi and TOP TOUR T7 HAMANAKO.
What are her DUPR rating and ranking?
Doubles 5.278 / Singles 5.171 (June 2026). World #5 in DUPR Junior Women's Singles and #13 in Doubles (May 2026). She won DUPR Risers of the Year 2025 (Junior Girls' Singles).
Who are her sponsors/partners?
Sansan, Inc.; Pickleball One, Inc.; ASICS Corporation (footwear); Babolat (Babolat VS Japan); ZygoSpec Co., Ltd. (“AirFly”); physical sole (insole); Seiko Group (timepiece); and N High School Group (athlete scholarship). See Partners for details.
How can I make a press or sponsorship inquiry?
Please use the contact form on this page; interview/appearance requests and sponsorship/collaboration inquiries are handled separately. As she is a minor, inquiries are received and handled by her guardian and management.

Contact

Contact

We would be honoured to receive your enquiries regarding interviews and appearances, as well as sponsorship and collaboration. We would be most grateful if you would kindly reach out via the form below.