Brooke Revuelta Brings Pickleball and Purpose to U.S. Troops Across Europe
- Tyzza Macias
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
The 19-year-old from Miami is rewriting the rules of what it means to serve through sport. Brooke Revuelta plays with power, purpose, and pride.
A dynamic, left-handed 19-year-old professional pickleball athlete from Miami, Florida, Revuelta embodies a rich fusion of Cuban, Vietnamese, and American heritage. Passionate, driven, and already a standout on the pro circuit, she has carved a path that’s as bold as it is inspiring, bringing intensity to the court and intention to every move beyond it.
Earlier this year, she became the youngest professional athlete ever selected to join the Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) Goodwill Pro Pickleball Military Tour. For 23 days across six countries, Turkey, Kosovo, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Revuelta brought the fastest-growing sport in America to U.S. troops and their families stationed overseas, blending elite-level play with heartfelt connection.
“Being selected for this tour is an absolute honor—not just as a pro pickleball player, but as someone who comes from a military family,” Revuelta said. “This tour is about more than playing a sport—it’s about lifting spirits, saying thank you, and creating unforgettable moments for our troops and their families.”
A Sport Rooted in Camaraderie
Pickleball may be the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., but on this tour, it served a deeper function: connection.
At every stop, Revuelta and her fellow pros hosted clinics, play-with-the-pro sessions, tournaments, and exhibition matches designed not just to teach the game, but to build community.
“Pickleball is all about connection, competition, and fun—just like the camaraderie within the military,” she explained.
“A young girl from a military family picked up a pickleball paddle for the very first time,” she recalled. “She was shy at first, but by the end, she was laughing, playing, and asking where she could get her own paddle. That’s what this tour was all about: connection, joy, and showing up for others in meaningful ways.”
Revuelta’s respect for the military isn’t performative, it’s personal. Her great-grandfather, Major Robert Vories Abram, served as a B-24 Airplane Commander in World War II. Her grandfather served in Vietnam. Her stepfather, a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, was stationed in Germany.
“It gave me a deeper, lived understanding of what service truly means,” she said. “I realized I may not wear a uniform, but I can still serve in my own way: by being present, showing gratitude, and using my voice and skills to lift others up.”
From Rising Star to Global Ambassador
Revuelta’s ascent in the sport has been swift and remarkable. A competitive tennis player for over a decade, she picked up a pickleball paddle in early 2023. Just months later, she was competing professionally and holding her own against the sport’s elite.
Her accolades include international appearances in England and India, top finishes in APP (Association of Pickleball Players) tournaments, and membership on the APP Next Gen National Team. At the 2023 PPA Denver tournament—her pro singles debut. She pushed world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters to a hard-fought 8–11, 9–11 finish.
Whether representing Team USA in Mumbai or hosting clinics on U.S. bases, Revuelta is proving that passion is a passport and sports, a shared language.
She’s also a PPR Certified Instructor, an honors graduate, and an active member of Miami’s pickleball scene, where she shares the court and her story with others who are new to the sport.
A Purpose Bigger Than the Podium
“Medals are exciting, but what also drives me is representation and impact,” she said. “I want young girls—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to see what’s possible. You don’t have to fit a mold to succeed.”
The military tour only deepened her commitment to making the game more inclusive.
“I learned that strength often looks quiet—it’s in the early wake-ups, the teamwork, the silent support systems,” she said. “Being a leader isn’t about being the center of attention. It’s about how you make others feel—seen, respected, and empowered.”
“For kids far from home or spouses adjusting to new bases, [pickleball] can be a lifeline,” she added. “Being part of someone’s first experience with it is something I take pride and honor in.”
What’s Next for Brooke Revuelta
What’s next for Brooke Revuelta? More tournaments. More clinics. More ways to grow the sport she loves and more purpose behind every play.
“I want to continue competing at the highest level, but always with intention and heart,” she said. “Pickleball may be my platform—but my mission is to lead with gratitude, serve with joy, and make space for others to shine, too.”
In an age where youth and influence are often measured in likes and followers, Revuelta is quietly charting a different course, one rooted in character, cultural pride, and connection. At just 19, she’s not just growing the game. She’s embodying a model of leadership that transcends sport, showing what it truly means to play with purpose.
With every swing of the paddle, Brooke Revuelta proves that leadership isn’t defined by age, it’s shaped by action, intention, and the courage to serve in your own way.
