Keven Wong: The Quiet Force Behind Hawaii Pickleball

Thoughtful. Deliberate. Humble enough to think his story isn’t worth telling.

But if you’ve ever seen him play—or had the privilege of talking story— you know that couldn’t be further from the truth. Before he was Hawaii’s most respected player and instructor, Keven was just a guy saying yes to a casual church invite to play pickleball. He’s still saying yes—to community, to connection, and to building something bigger than himself.

TRADING THE BASELINE FOR THE KITCHEN LINE

Long before he was known for his backhand flicks and trick shots, Keven Wong was all in on tennis. Growing up, he also played basketball and volleyball, but by ninth grade, it was time to choose one sport to focus on.

He chose tennis not necessarily because he loved it the most— basketball and volleyball actually held more of his heart—but because it made the most sense. He said, “obviously, for basketball and volleyball, I needed to be a little taller” and the libero position in volleyball simply didn’t exist yet.

Tennis became the path forward.

He traveled around the mainland during his high school years, competed nationally and eventually played four years at the University of Redlands in California.

By the time he graduated in 2011, though, he was completely burned out. He returned home after graduation and hasn’t picked up a racket since. “I see the (tennis) courts and I don't have any desire to jump back on there. I look at the court and it's so big compared to pickleball, the racket is so heavy and honestly, I don't think I'll ever get back on the tennis court.”

FROM FELLOWSHIP TO FLICK SHOTS

Keven’s introduction to pickleball came thanks to a group of guys at church who invited him to give it a try. At the time, he was mostly playing spikeball and some volleyball for fun. They told him that pickleball was “kind of like tennis with paddles and a wiffle ball”, so Keven agreed to try it.

That first “for fun” session turned into something more. He shared, “I went out for the first time and enjoyed it and kept going back. I fell in love with it and haven’t looked back since.”

Pickleball became his new passion, and in April 2018, he entered his first tournament at the Blaisdell. That tournament was played on the existing flooring— none of the roll-out court surfaces you see today. Just a slick surface with taped lines. Still, he and Kevin Ching came out on top, and from that point on, Keven started taking the game a bit more seriously.

HOME COURT PRIORITIES

With his background and talent, Keven could undoubtedly hold his own on the pro circuit. In fact, he has—right here at home.

One of his most memorable wins came during the 2024 Hawaiian Open in mixed doubles. He and his partner, Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall, faced off against touring pros Augustus Ge (“Augie”) and Daria Walczak twice—winning their first matchup, dropping the rematch in the gold medal round, then clinching the tiebreaker to 15. “Just being able to play at that level—and do it at home—was really memorable,” Keven said.

And at the ESPN Honolulu Open in April 2025, he went up against a stacked bracket that included four touring pros in both men's and mixed doubles—and came out on top.

He may not travel to the mainland to chase titles, but when the pros come here, he shows he belongs on that stage. He explained, “I think number one—where God has me on this journey of pickleball…I don't think it's to necessarily go and play professionally. Number two– family and especially now with kids—to be away from them is tough because everything I base it off is to be with them as much as I can. And then, financially, it just doesn't really make sense. Being in Hawaii, you would have to travel all the time.”

I asked him if he ever felt called to pursue life on the pro tour—or if he ever wrestled with regret. He admitted there were moments when the pull was strong. “I’ve definitely had times where I wanted to be out there competing against the top players,” he said. “Early on, I watched a lot of pro pickleball—it’s one of the best ways to learn. Watching them play makes you want to get out there.”

But over time, that urge faded. “Now, I don’t watch as much. I’m content. I’m happy where I am.” His calling? To grow the game right here in his own backyard.

“Pickleball has been a huge blessing in my life. My faith in Christ has me on this awesome journey where I get to be surrounded by pickleball as a career, hobby, sport, and ministry.”

“I don’t think playing professional pickleball is where I’m called to be. Ultimately, it’s just being here…I think it’s just about trying to do everything I can with pickleball here in Hawaii.”

“Some days I’m on the court for 10+ hours. Then it’s straight into dad mode.”

LEAVING THE CLINIC, FINDING THE COURT

After earning his master’s in speech pathology from UH, Keven spent nearly a decade in health care—most of it as a speech-language pathologist working with older adults. He eventually stepped into a leadership role as Director of Rehabilitation. But after his second son was born, Keven and his wife made a big decision.

Fatherhood, he says, reshaped everything. “Before kids, I was working full-time in healthcare, steady hours. But after our second son was born, I looked at the schedule and thought—if I’m ever going to try this, now’s the time,” he shared.

He stepped away from the 9-to-5 and took a leap—into full-time pickleball. No clients, no courts to teach on, no clear plan. Just faith, hustle, and a deep sense that it was the right move. “Pickleball was just starting to grow in Hawaii, and there wasn’t really anything full-time happening here.

It was definitely a leap, but I wanted to build something not just for me, but for my family.”

But leaving the security of his full- time job wasn’t easy. “It was tough,” he said. “A lot of prayer, a lot of long conversations. And when I first started, it was hard. I didn’t have a client list and really had to step out of my comfort zone. I had to promote myself, which I don't really do a lot and that was challenging at first.”

He continued, “I had to do a lot of research, look for places— gyms, empty tennis courts— anywhere that might work,” he said. The YMCA gave him an early opportunity, and eventually he built his program at Waialae Country Club, where he now teaches full-time.

As time went on, more opportunities opened up, and slowly, things started falling into place…and now, it’s been about 2 ½ years since taking the leap.

KEVEN WONG ON BEING CAST ON SEASON ONE OF "PICKLEBALL PADDLE BATTLE"

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH KEVEN

• Three words friends would use to describe him: “Trustworthy, competitive, athletic.”

• Something surprising about him: “I have never surfed a day in my life.”

• Motivation on tough days: “The members at Waialae. They motivate me to be at my best and that's why I love what I do.”

• Something most people don’t know about him: “I love cold treats– ice cream, shave ice, smoothies, popsicles, anything cold!!”

• Improving in life: “Always working to be the best husband and father I can be.”

• Improving in pickleball: “Constantly working on better shot selection.”

• Dream doubles partner: “I would love to play with Roger Federer!”

• Favorite post-game meal: Ramen from Kamitoku Ramen

CRAFTED SHOTS, CUSTOM COACHING

Kevenis known for his signature backhand flick and smooth trick shots—moves that aren’t just for show, but rooted in years of play. He said, “It definitely comes from my tennis background. I would try to do different shots and really just have fun with it and be more playful, but it's developed to where I can actually do it a little bit more with confidence and control…and just transitioned that into pickleball.”

But what stands out to those who work with him is his coaching style. It’s never one-size-fits-all. “I try to listen and understand their goals first—some players want to be competitive, others just want to play with their friends. It's about being able to adapt and not put everyone into the same mix, because that wouldn't be fair.”

Though he's focused on instruction these days, he still finds some time to play, usually after the kids go to bed, and at most, once or twice a week.

QUIETLY LIFTING AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY

Despite being regarded as the best player in Hawaii, Keven stays humble. In fact, when asked to do this interview, he mused, “I don’t think I’m that interesting.”

But his impact speaks for itself. He’s played a big role in the local scene’s growth, from teaching at the Y, with the Oahu Pickleball Association, and at Waialae, to welcoming pros visiting the islands.

In 2023, he was selected to star in Pickleball Paddle Battle, a reality TV show featuring top players from around the country.

It was a big opportunity—but true to form, Keven approached it without ego.

When Hawaii Pickleball Magazine was still just a baby newsletter called “Pickleball 808”—barely a month old—I asked Keven if he’d be willing to do a video interview about his experience on the show. He had no reason to say yes…but he did anyway.

That early conversation stuck with me—not just because of the show, but because of his generosity with his time.

The show hasn’t aired yet, and he’s curious to see how the sport—and the culture around it—will be portrayed. “Even I don’t know what happens,” he said. “You’ll have to watch and see.”

PLAYING THE LONG GAME AT HOME

When he’s not teaching orplaying, Keven is with his family.

“We take the boys to the park, the beach, the mall— anywhere to let them run around,” he said. He’s not pushing them into pickleball either. “They hit around sometimes, but they’re still young. I'm not gonna force it on them…I’ll just support them, whatever they want.”

At tournaments, the boys are usually more interested in playing than in watching their dad. “They probably played the most at the ESPN tournament just because there were empty courts and they'd rather do that than watch me,” he laughed.

That balance between family life and a bigger mission is something Keven navigates with intention. He isn’t chasing medals or a packed tour schedule.

Instead, he’s focused on building something meaningful here at home. Both on and off the court—with his students, his family, and the community that’s grown around him—he’s shaping a true pickleball legacy for Hawaii.

“I just want to continue to bring people together through pickleball, and try to continue to put Hawaii on the map for pickleball, even though I’m only doing it from here.”