Yufei Long Hits Pause On PhD To Chase Pickleball Dreams
Every pickleball pro has a story—but few are as compelling as that of Yufei Long.
The 26-year-old from China recently made a life-altering decision, choosing to defer her PhD studies in biomedical informatics in favor of a full-time pursuit of professional pickleball. For Long, a high achiever with degrees from Boston College and Vanderbilt University, it wasn’t an easy call. But when the opportunity arose to join the inaugural UPA Asia Trailblazers Program, she knew it was a chance she couldn’t let pass.
Source: Pickleball.com
“I had invested months crafting potential research proposals and preparing applications,” Long told the South China Morning Post. “The sunk cost was high. I spent the whole of February evaluating the best option … I was choosing between two different life trajectories.”
Accepted into prestigious doctoral programs at both the University of Washington and Washington University in St. Louis, Long appeared to be on a clear academic path. But sport has always played a parallel role in her life. A former Division I tennis player at both Boston College and Vanderbilt, she’s long thrived on the mental and physical demands of competition.
When she discovered pickleball, something clicked.
“Pickleball rekindled that drive while introducing me to new challenges,” she explained. “When I went to my first local tournament, I realized I could not rely on my power and tennis technique only. Unlike tennis, pickleball demands more patience and precision than raw power. The kitchen battles require split-second decisions and fine motor control—it’s a very different tactical challenge.”
Now fully immersed in the UPA Asia Trailblazers Program, Long trains daily at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona. The three-month initiative offers athletes not only professional coaching and tournament play, but also media training and mentorship from top American pros. Graduates of the program will receive UPA Asia touring contracts, giving them a pathway into the global pro circuit.
And for Long, that path might just stretch all the way to the Olympic stage.
“Representing my country on that stage would be the ultimate dream,” she said. “If the Olympic opportunity presents itself, it will shape my competitive timeline and training focus over the coming years.”
She’s already begun making a name for herself on the court. Recent medals at the Baton Rouge PPA Challenger and the Atlanta Slam prove that Long’s decision to leave academia—at least for now—isn’t just a leap of faith. It’s a calculated bet on her talent and trajectory.
Next up for Long and her fellow Trailblazers is the Select Medical Orange County Cup, taking place June 16–22 at Life Time Rancho San Clemente. After that, the spotlight will shift to the first-ever PPA Tour Asia event—the Panas Malaysia Open, set for July 3–6 in Kuala Lumpur.
Two very different futures once stood before Yufei Long. Today, she’s carving a new one—paddle in hand, eyes on the podium.
