Leander Lazaro has officially become a professional pickleball player after obtaining his licence from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), adding another milestone to the career of one of the Philippines’ leading male players. The 33-year-old, who first made his name in tennis before transitioning to pickleball, is now preparing to represent the Parañaque Titans in the newly launched Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tournament (MPPT).
Key Points:
Leander Lazaro has officially obtained his professional pickleball licence from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
The 33-year-old will represent the Parañaque Titans in the newly launched Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tournament (MPPT).
Lazaro says becoming a professional comes with a responsibility to compete with integrity and represent Philippine pickleball properly.
The established star sees players, coaches, organisers, officials and communities as having a role in shaping the sport’s future.
From Tennis to Pickleball’s Professional Ranks
Lazaro is already one of the Philippines’ most established pickleball stars, having built his sporting reputation in tennis before making the switch to one of the world’s fastest-rising sports.
Now, he has taken another significant step by becoming a fully licensed professional pickleball player. Lazaro took his oath under the GAB four days before sharing the milestone on social media, describing the licence as more than simply official recognition.
For the veteran player, professional status comes with added responsibility. He stressed the importance of competing with integrity, respecting the people who support the sport and representing Philippine pickleball the right way.
Lazaro Wants to Help Set the Standard
Lazaro has already played an important role in the growth of pickleball in the Philippines, and he now wants to contribute even more as the sport continues to develop.
He pointed out that pickleball is growing rapidly across the country, while its future is still being shaped for the next generation. In his view, that responsibility does not belong to players alone. Coaches, organisers, officials and communities all have a part to play in setting the standards for the sport.
That makes Lazaro’s involvement in the MPPT particularly significant. As one of the tournament’s established stars, his role extends beyond simply competing for the Parañaque Titans as the league looks to build its professional scene.
A First-Generation Pro in Philippine Pickleball
Lazaro also recognises that he and his fellow established players are effectively part of the first generation of professional pickleball athletes in the Philippines.
He expressed his gratitude for being part of this generation and for having the opportunity to contribute not only through competition, but also by helping build the sport along the way. His new professional licence provides official recognition, while the oath serves as a reminder of the responsibility attached to that status.
For a player who has already helped raise the profile of pickleball in the Philippines, Lazaro’s next chapter will be about more than results. As the sport continues to grow, he will be among those helping establish what professional pickleball can look like for the generations that follow.