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Dekel Bar

Dekel Bar - Pro Pickleball Player

Gender

Male

Age

32

Location

Austin, Texas

Plays

Right-handed

Latest from Dekel

Dekel’s Profile

Dekel Bar was born on March 15, 1993, in Ra’anana, Israel, into a family with a strong athletic background. From a young age, he was immersed in sports, developing a passion for tennis that led him to start playing at nine years old. His dedication and talent propelled him to a professional tennis career by the age of 18, achieving a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 370 and a singles ranking of 570.

However, his promising tennis career was cut short due to multiple abdominal injuries, prompting him to seek new athletic challenges. During this transitional period, Bar was introduced to pickleball by his longtime friends, Ben and Collin Johns, who recognized his potential and encouraged him to explore the sport. This introduction marked the beginning of his remarkable journey in the world of pickleball.

Bar’s transition from tennis to pickleball was seamless, thanks to his extensive athletic background and the mentorship of the Johns brothers. He quickly adapted to the new sport, showcasing his powerful serve and aggressive playing style. Within months, he secured his first professional pickleball victory, signaling his rapid ascent in the sport.

His success on the court was complemented by his entrepreneurial spirit; alongside the Johns brothers, he co-founded Pickleball 360, an instructional video subscription service, and Pickleball Getaways, which offers all-inclusive vacations with pickleball instruction. These ventures allowed him to share his expertise and passion for the sport with a global audience. As of November 2025, Bar continues to compete at the highest levels of professional pickleball, representing Team JOOLA.

He is renowned for his unmatched athleticism, explosive power, and court coverage, making him a formidable opponent in both doubles and mixed doubles events. His playing style is characterized by aggressive drives, pressure volleys, and dominant court positioning, with a particular emphasis on the Erne shot, which he has mastered to perfection. Off the court, Bar remains deeply involved in the pickleball community, dedicating time to coaching, mentoring, and promoting the sport worldwide.

His journey from tennis to pickleball exemplifies his adaptability, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence in all his endeavors.

Popular Video

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“There are just a lot more teams [generally] and a lot more teams that can beat each other. It’s close competition, and it’s great for the fans and the players.” (on the competitive landscape of pickleball)

— Dekel Bar

Top Strategy Tips

1

Focus on mastering the Erne to take control of the net and surprise your opponents with aggressive attacks.

2

Develop a powerful serve to set the tone of the point and put pressure on your opponents from the start.

3

Enhance your court coverage and agility to effectively execute the Erne and other aggressive shots.

🏆 Career Highlights

Gold medal at 2023 Takeya Showcase

PPA Grand Slam winner 2024

Defeated Ben Johns at 2024 US Open