Florida Native Sofia Sewing Headlines Palm Beach Royals' Roster Ahead of First Season

World-ranked standout brings championship experience to South Florida's newest professional pickleball franchise as the Palm Beach Royals build their inaugural roster ahead of their Major League Pickleball debut.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:08pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a pickleball match or competition, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.The Palm Beach Royals' signing of world-class pickleball player Sofia Sewing signals their intent to compete for a championship in their inaugural MLP season.Boca Raton Today

The Palm Beach Royals, announced the signing of Sofia Sewing, the current No. 1 women's singles player on the Association of Pickleball Players Tour, ahead of the team's inaugural 2026 Major League Pickleball season. Sewing, a 26-year-old Miami native and former professional tennis player, quickly rose through the APP rankings with multiple tournament wins in women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles competition.

Why it matters

The signing of Sofia Sewing, one of the most accomplished and competitive players in professional pickleball, is a major coup for the Palm Beach Royals as they build their inaugural roster for the 2026 Major League Pickleball season. Sewing's championship pedigree and international athletic background will be a strong asset for the Royals as they look to make an immediate impact in the league.

The details

Under Major League Pickleball expansion rules, teams may sign up to two players prior to the league draft, making Sewing the franchise's first official roster addition. Sewing, who stands 5 feet 7 inches and competes right-handed with a two-handed backhand, brings an impressive resume to the Royals. Before transitioning to pickleball, she competed professionally in tennis across more than 30 countries and reached career-high Women's Tennis Association rankings of No. 455 in singles and No. 125 in doubles. She won four International Tennis Federation singles titles and 14 doubles titles during her career.

  • Sewing began competing in professional pickleball in 2024.
  • In 2025, she captured eight APP women's singles titles and won the singles championship at the USA Pickleball National Championships.
  • The Palm Beach Royals will debut as the newest team in Major League Pickleball presented by DoorDash beginning with the 2026 season, which runs from May through August.

The players

Sofia Sewing

The current No. 1 women's singles player on the Association of Pickleball Players Tour, who is a 26-year-old Miami native and former professional tennis player.

Zach Hunter

The co-owner of the Palm Beach Royals and managing partner of Hyperspace Ventures.

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What they’re saying

“Sofia is one of the most accomplished and competitive players in professional pickleball today. Her experience, discipline and winning mindset make her a strong addition to our roster as we prepare for our first season.”

— Zach Hunter, co-owner of the Palm Beach Royals and managing partner of Hyperspace Ventures

What’s next

The Palm Beach Royals will add additional players during the 2026 MLP Draft taking place on Friday, February 27.

The takeaway

The signing of Sofia Sewing, a world-ranked pickleball star with a proven track record of success, is a major coup for the Palm Beach Royals as they build their inaugural roster for the 2026 Major League Pickleball season. Sewing's championship pedigree and international athletic background will be a valuable asset as the Royals look to make an immediate impact in the league.