Julian Arnold And Lauren Stratman Are Engaged: A Pickleball Love Story Years In The Making
Love is in the air—and on the pickleball court. Pro players Julian Arnold and Lauren Stratman are officially engaged, adding a new chapter to a relationship that began with competition and grew into partnership both on and off the court.
Arnold proposed during a peaceful walk in their new neighborhood in Nashville, catching Stratman completely off guard in the best way possible.
“We actually just moved to Nashville about a month ago, and my best friend from college was visiting,” Stratman shared. “We went for a walk, which we hadn’t done before, and Julian knew the only way he could really surprise me was if it felt totally spontaneous.”
That moment of spontaneity arrived on a picturesque dock overlooking a lake. As they paused to take a few photos, Stratman turned around and found Arnold down on one knee.
“I was very surprised. I didn’t expect it at all. And then my best friend was there to take pictures, which was super sweet,” she said.
Even though the timing caught her off guard, Stratman admits the engagement had been in the air for a while.
“I knew he had the ring for probably six months,” she said with a laugh. “He was just waiting for the right moment. It was awesome.”
Source: lolo_strat_pb (Instagram)
Building A Life Together—On and Off The Court
The engagement comes just after another major milestone in their relationship: buying their first home together in Nashville, after relocating from Austin, Texas.
“We’ve been together for a while, so it doesn’t feel too different being engaged,” Stratman explained. “It feels like we’re just taking the next step. But we’re both excited to get married.”
As for the wedding itself, plans are still in the early stages.
“We don’t have anything set yet,” Stratman admitted. “We’re figuring out where we want it, if we want something big or something small. We’re just going to enjoy being engaged for now.”
In the meantime, the couple has been celebrating in Playa del Carmen, Mexico—playing golf, relaxing by the pool, and soaking up the start of this new chapter.
A Connection That Started Years Ago
While they didn’t officially start dating until 2021, Arnold and Stratman’s history stretches back much further. In fact, their first meeting wasn’t on the pickleball court—it was on the tennis court.
“When I was 14, I played mixed doubles with my dad in the Santa Maria Open,” Stratman recalled. “We actually played against Julian, who was about 18 at the time. He won the match, though neither of us remembered until later—which has always been funny.”
Years later, their paths crossed again at the PPA tournament in San Clemente in June 2021. From that tournament meeting, the relationship began to blossom.
“We became boyfriend and girlfriend in October 2021,” Stratman confirmed. “Julian came to Tennessee, where I was living, and my dad actually recognized him from that tennis match way back when. So yeah—we go way back.”
Congratulations To Julian And Lauren
From competing as teenagers to competing as pro pickleball players—and now, taking the next step as partners in life—Arnold and Stratman’s story is one of enduring connection, shared ambition, and love that grew over time.
As they prepare for whatever comes next—wedding plans, new adventures, or future match wins—there’s no doubt the pickleball world is cheering them on.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
