GOOD DAYPICKLEBALL

PLAYER PROFILE

Emma Nelson

Chicago Slice player · Omaha professional · APP Next singles champion

Emma Nelson is a 15-year-old professional pickleball player from Omaha whose rapid climb from family games at a community center led to a PPA contract, an APP Next singles title and a place with the Chicago Slice.

September 15, 2026Evidence-backed revision
USA · CHICAGO SLICE15
5.42MLP-listed DUPR Doubles · WomenObserved September 15, 2026

Age documented September 15, 2026

Omaha, Nebraska · right-handed professional

A family introduction that accelerated into a PPA contract and Major League Pickleball

Nelson began playing pickleball with her father and two brothers at a local community center in Omaha. After winning her first local tournament alongside her father, she moved quickly into higher-level competition; her father continued traveling with her as her coach.

She previously spent five years in competitive volleyball before committing fully to pickleball in 2023. Nelson made her PPA debut at the 2024 Mesa Cup and developed a versatile game built around controlled aggression, patient point construction and a forehand crosscourt shot that creates sharp angles.

AGE RECORD

Is Emma Nelson 14 or 15 years old?

Nelson was 15 when this page was reviewed on September 15, 2026. An older biography paragraph still identified her as 14, but the PPA’s current quick-information record and Nelson’s Instagram biography both listed 15.

Career timeline

From Omaha family games to an APP Next title, the PPA Tour and Chicago Slice

A family introduction in Omaha

Nelson began playing at a local community center with her father and two brothers, then won her first local tournament alongside her father.

Committed fully to pickleball

After five years in competitive volleyball, Nelson stepped away from that sport to focus on pickleball.

PPA debut in Mesa

She entered the PPA Mesa Cup and played her first professional-tour match on Championship Court.

First PPA main-draw victory

Nelson secured her first main-draw win on the PPA Tour as her professional results began to catch up with her rapid junior development.

APP Next singles champion

She captured a singles title at an APP Next event, an important result in her transition from junior prospect to tour professional.

Signed with the PPA Tour

Nelson signed her professional agreement with the PPA; the tour lists 2025 as her official professional-start year.

Drafted by California

The California Black Bears selected Nelson with the No. 37 pick in the 2026 Major League Pickleball Draft.

Traded to the Chicago Slice

Chicago acquired Nelson from California in exchange for Jalina Ingram and cash considerations. She remained with the Slice through its playoff appearance.

DUPR and PPA records · dated September 2026

A changing rating kept separate from the tour ranking

DUPR measures playing level, while the PPA world ranking uses tour points. MLP and Chicago displayed slightly different DUPR precision, so both observations are source-labeled and dated rather than blended into one unsupported value.

PPA women’s world rank
No. 98 · 529.375 points · September 15, 2026
MLP-listed doubles DUPR
5.42 · September 15, 2026
Chicago team-page doubles DUPR
5.438 · separately displayed September 15, 2026
2025 APP Next
Singles champion · July 2025
2026 MLP Draft
No. 37 overall · California Black Bears
2026 MLP postseason
Chicago Slice playoff roster
Major League Pickleball

A draft selection by California followed by a midseason move to Chicago

TRADE DATE13JULY · 2026

California selected Nelson with the No. 37 pick in the 2026 draft. Chicago acquired her on July 13 for Jalina Ingram and cash, and Nelson remained with the Slice through its Dallas playoff appearance.

Explore the complete Chicago Slice roster →

Explore the Major League Pickleball hub →

Career markers

A rapid rise through professional singles, tour competition and MLP

PPA debut

Made her tour debut at the Mesa Cup and played on Championship Court.

APP Next singles champion

Captured a singles title before signing with the PPA Tour later that year.

Selected by California

Entered MLP through the 2026 draft before Chicago acquired her in July.

Dated equipment observation

What paddle was Emma Nelson documented using?

RAMSPORTS

TYPHOON

RAMOfficial PPA equipment listing · September 15, 2026

The PPA Tour listed the RamSports Typhoon as Nelson’s competition paddle when this profile was reviewed. RamSports announced Nelson as a global brand ambassador in February 2026. No thickness, shape or color is asserted because the first-party records reviewed did not establish one exact Typhoon configuration.

COMPARE SIMILAR PADDLES

Comparable paddle options

An exact retail match for RAMSPORTS TYPHOON has not been verified. These are broader shopping alternatives, not a claim that the player used them. Compare shape, thickness and specifications before buying. Price and availability can change.

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Chicago MLP, PPA singles and mixed doubles

Watch Emma Nelson compete

2026 Chicago MLP highlights

Chicago Slice vs. SoCal Hard Eights at MLP Chicago

Major League Pickleball · 2026

2026 Chicago mixed doubles

Major League Pickleball Chicago Day One — Extended Highlights

Major League Pickleball · 2026

PPA women’s singles

Jorja Johnson vs. Emma Nelson at the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships

PPA Tour · 2025

PPA mixed doubles

Waters and Johns vs. Nelson and Freeman at the Carvana Mesa Cup

PPA Tour · 2026

Verified player accounts

Follow Emma Nelson

Quick answers

Emma Nelson FAQs

Transparent sourcing

Primary evidence

Age, team membership, DUPR, ranking and equipment are dated to the records available when this profile was reviewed. No exact birth date, weight or Typhoon configuration is asserted.

01PPA Tour player profile, ranking and equipment↗02Pickleball.com player profile↗03Chicago Slice current roster↗04Major League Pickleball: 2026 Draft results↗05Major League Pickleball: 2026 Trade Window No. 2↗06Major League Pickleball player directory↗07RamSports: Emma Nelson ambassador announcement↗