From backyard hobby to Pro Circuit: Pickleball star Lauren Mercado blazes the trail

GMA Network

9 hours ago

When the COVID-19 pandemic locked down most of the world, it also unlocked something unexpected for the Mercado family: a new love for a little-known sport then called pickleball.
What began as a casual family activity has since transformed into a professional journey for 18-year-old Lauren Mercado, who now competes in the Pickleball Pro Circuit and continues to rise as one of the sport's promising Filipino-American stars.
'I started during COVID when I stopped traveling for AAU basketball,' Lauren shared in a feature for GMA Pinoy TV.
Her younger brother, Lex, is not far behind.
'It looked interesting, so we tried it as a family. We were actually really bad at first, and we were like, 'Oh no, we can't be this bad in sport,' said Erika Paman Mercado, Lauren and Lex's mother.
But the bad didn't last long.
Pandemic pivot
The Mercados, like many families, were in search of new routines during the early days of the pandemic.
For Lauren, who had been competing in basketball, the abrupt halt of organized sports left a void. Her parents encouraged her to pick up a paddle, and that moment at Cougar Creek Pickleball Courts marked the beginning of what would become a new athletic chapter.
'I discovered my love for pickleball because of my parents. They were the ones who introduced me to the sport,' said Lauren.
With athletic instincts honed by years on the basketball court, Lauren quickly found her rhythm—and her competitive fire. She began entering tournaments and putting in serious hours on court, transitioning from a newcomer to a formidable opponent in national competitions.
'She's been playing in the pro circuit for the last two years now,' said Erika.
'And Lex will soon be starting.'
While Lauren was the first to shine on the pickleball court, her younger brother Lex wasn't far behind in discovering the game's appeal. Like his sister, he came to the sport from a period of inactivity—hours spent in front of video games—until his parents decided to take action.
'I used to sit down and play video games for like eight to nine hours a day. Then my parents put me in a tournament just to get me out of the house,' Lex recalled.
That one tournament changed everything.
'I played up against other juniors, and I thought, 'Ooh, this is fun. I wanna get good,'' Lex said. The competitive spirit, it seems, runs in the family.
Their parents nurtured that spirit not by forcing the sport onto them but by supporting their kids with the right environment, training, and tournament exposure.
'The athlete in us—and the competitive drive—we wanted to train our kids to be better. And we're just lucky to have so much support from friends and family who help us get them to tournaments,' Erika shared.
Culture, community, and igado Fridays
Even as the Mercados make their mark in the global pickleball scene, they remain deeply rooted in their Filipino identity. Their journey is not just one of sport, but of family, tradition, and cultural pride.
'We definitely embrace the culture a lot. We always say 'mahal kita,' and we have this bonding tradition called Igado Friday and Monday,' Lauren shared.
Igado, a classic Ilocano dish made with pork and liver, is something Lauren and her dad look forward to every week.
'There's a restaurant that only serves Igado on Fridays and Mondays, so that's our thing. It's our bonding time.'
It's a small but powerful reminder of how cultural traditions can anchor families, even as their children soar into unfamiliar worlds like professional sports.
A champion's mindset
For Lauren, pickleball isn't just a pastime or a profession, it's a passion that she pours herself into daily.
'I definitely think if you work hard at what you love, you'll be able to achieve anything. I just put a lot of work in and I train every day.'
This mindset, paired with family support and community encouragement—has helped Lauren and Lex thrive in a sport that's rapidly gaining popularity around the world. What was once seen as a sport for retirees has now become a fast-paced, competitive arena with professional tours and growing youth engagement.
'It's so cool to just be able to travel now. I get to go to other countries, other states, and meet lots of new people. Everyone's so nice. The community of pickleball is what makes pickleball,' Lex said.
Inspiring the next generation
As Lauren continues to rise in the ranks and Lex prepares to enter the pro circuit, the Mercados hope their journey can inspire other young Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams, especially in niche sports like pickleball.
'I just hope that with what they're doing, they can inspire other kids, other Filipino athletes, to follow in their footsteps,' said Erika.
'To know that they can be great at something new, even if it starts in a public park during a pandemic.'
From makeshift courts during lockdowns to the bright lights of professional competition, Lauren and Lex Mercado prove that with passion, perseverance, and pancit-fueled family support—anything is possible.
Pickleball may have started as a curious discovery on a quiet walk, but for the Mercados, it has become a family legacy in the making.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News