Rachel Lam Ying Suet - Pickleball

Name: Rachel Lam Ying Suet

Sports: Pickleball - Member of Team Hong Kong

Location: Hong Kong

https://www.instagram.com/rachel.lam_hk_pb/ 

Give some context about your sports and what makes it so special or engaging for you personally?

Rachel :

• Pickleball

• Rhythm and peace  (slow to fast, fast to slow)

• Easy to feel the progression

• Feel like mini-tennis, I used to played Tennis, over 20 years

• Wide range of players can try out this sport

How did you first get involved in your sport? What was it that drew you to it?

Rachel :

• Friend referred to me

• play in a small court, same as badminton court size, easy to play rally with friends

• I love the hitting sounds

Looking back at your journey in your sport so far, what have been some of the most significant milestones, learning curves, or turning points in your development as an athlete?

Rachel :

• 2023 mid- year: I tried to participate tournament as possible as I can, afford all expenses my own

• 2024 mid-year: I met my current sponsorship (I can play more tournament to gain experience, achieve higher levels with their support)

• Practice sessions started from 2025

• 2025 May DUPR ranking: Asia Women’s Singles Ranked Top 6

Being a female athlete can sometimes present unique challenges. Could you share any obstacles you've faced and how you navigated them?

Rachel :

• Travel alone. (I need to beware personal safety & also handling all stuff my own)

• I took the China Railway train around 8 hours to BAODING China for one week tournament

• I carried over 10KG luggage which I need to put it on the shelves. I tried few times but failed so I asked for help.

What is one of your most memorable takeaways or proudest achievements in your sport so far? It doesn't have to be a win; it could be a personal breakthrough or a team experience.

Rachel : Got a PPA medal (PPA Pickleball Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Open 2025 Women’s Singles 3.5 or above Championship)

What are some of the most valuable life lessons that your involvement in your sport has taught you, things that you carry with you even outside of the sport?

Rachel : 

• Believe in yourself, don’t underestimate and sell yourself short (I always think I am not good enough and affect my mental state in the game)

• What your brain believes becomes how your body reacts (positive thoughts and self talk is indispensable and important in the game also in your life)

From your perspective, what is the scene like for your sport to be in Hong Kong, especially for girls and young women? What are its strengths, and where do you see opportunities for growth or greater participation?

Rachel : 

• Pickleball is still a developing sports in HK, we have less than 20 public venues for playing pickleball. Ranked among the 11 in regional search popularity for pickleball.

• Other countries in Asia especially Malaysia, Vietnam , India etc has rapidly increased the number of pickleball players.

• Pickleball has high accessibility and Social nature.

Women are easy to learn Pickleball because it have existing racket sports culture, it has strong history with racket sports like tennis, badminton and table tennis which facilitated the adoption of this sport
Also, suitability for all fitness levels especially fit for the ladies who normally often doing sport.

Are you involved in coaching, mentoring younger athletes, or giving back to your sports community in any way? If so, what does that mean to you?

Rachel : 

• Pickleball coach since 2018

• Inspiring next generation! No matter is knowledge from the sport or mental thoughts towards sport or life.

What advice would you give to a young girl in Hong Kong who is curious about trying out your sport, or any sport for that matter, but might be feeling hesitant or unsure?

Rachel : 

• Go ahead, don’t overthink & underestimate oneself

• Enjoy every process of learning

Finally, what are your future aspirations within your sport or your sporting life in general? And is there one key message you'd like to share with other young girls about the power or joy of being involved in sports?

Rachel : 

• Being a representative of HK pickleball player

• If you are try to chase your dream to be a full time professional pickleball player, remember: Pickleball is not your whole life, but it does make your life whole

• Remember the reasons why you started to play this sport, remember the joy of playing Pickleball not only for winning