Born and raised on Maui, former NCAA tennis player and current professional pickleball athlete Kento Tamaki continues to expand an already diverse athletic portfolio, most recently through his involvement in TYPTI.
Tamaki competed in tennis from 2011-15 at Pepperdine University and in 2024, he joined the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), where he is currently competing internationally in Asia.
Tamaki’s connection to the launch of TYPTI dates back more than fifteen years through a personal relationship with founder Steve Bellamy and his family.
“I grew up playing tennis with Steve’s boys and spent time with the family when they would visit Maui,” said Tamaki. “We’ve known each other for a long time.”
Tamaki and Bellamy’s long-standing relationship resurfaced recently, when Bellamy began developing a new racquet sport concept, which he introduced to Tamaki and others during an annual pre-Christmas trip to Kauai. Early iterations of the sport were played among high-level athletes, pickleball pros, and industry figures.
TYPTI officially launched on January 19 of this year, with Tamaki in attendance as one of the featured athletes.
The sport blends elements of tennis, pickleball, badminton, and even padel, while introducing rule variations that emphasize continuous play, and athletic movement, and non-traditional variations that allow players to utilize more than just their racquet to keep play alive.
“It’s competitive, but it’s also fun,” explained Tamaki. “The atmosphere is different. Even in situations that would normally cause tension in other sports, players are laughing and staying engaged.”
Strategically, TYPTI rewards aggressive net play, explosiveness, and strong groundstrokes from the back of the court. The softer ball and pickleball court dimensions introduce new tactical considerations, including resets through lobs and fast-paced exchanges.
Tamaki also noted the presence of numerous former collegiate tennis players during early play sessions, including athletes from USC, UCLA, UCSB, and Pepperdine University.
“Seeing that level of talent come together speaks volumes,” added Tamaki. “It’s a testament to the credibility behind the sport.”
As pickleball continues its rapid global growth, Tamaki sees opportunity for TYPTI to follow a similar trajectory while offering new pathways and opportunities for current clubs and facilities.
“With strong backing and high-level athlete involvement, I can see real potential,” concluded Tamaki.