Alexander Crum, a relatively new and amateur pickleball player from Louisville, made headlines at the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships by pulling off three consecutive upsets to reach the quarterfinals. Despite starting pickleball only a few years ago and playing just once a week, Crum defeated several higher-seeded players, significantly boosting his PPA Tour ranking from tied 64th to somewhere between 40th and 45th. His impressive run ended in the quarterfinals against Dylan Frazier, but it marked his biggest professional achievement to date.
However, Crum now faces a critical crossroads in his pickleball career. His rise into the top 50 means he is no longer eligible to compete in qualifiers without signing a contract with the PPA Tour, which he has yet to do. To continue competing at the highest level, he must either sign a PPA exclusive contract by mid-June, participate in PPA Challenger Series events, or pursue other professional circuits like the APP Tour. This decision will determine whether Crum can fully transition from amateur status to a professional pickleball career.
