Before she was a PPA touring pro, Lingwei Kong was already competing at a high level — just on a different surface, with a different racket.
Born in Guangzhou, China, Lingwei Kong built her foundation in tennis. From 2016 to 2018 she competed on the ITF professional tennis circuit across Asia, learning the travel, the pressure, and the discipline that elite sport demands. In 2019 she took her game to the United States, joining the Wichita State University women's tennis team, where she anchored the lineup at #1 singles and doubles.
The Pivot to Pickleball
In late 2022, while based in Wichita, Kansas, Lingwei picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time. What started as curiosity became a calling. By July 2023 she had turned professional at the PPA Seattle Open — and a new chapter began.
- 2016 – 2018Competed on the ITF professional tennis tour across Asia.
- 2019Joined Wichita State University; played #1 singles & doubles.
- Late 2022Discovered pickleball in Wichita, Kansas.
- July 2023Turned pro at the PPA Seattle Open.
- 2024Competed at the Select Medical Orange County Cup (San Clemente, CA).
By the Numbers
Career Record Highlights
2× Champion — 1 Women's Doubles, 1 Mixed Doubles
2× Finalist (runner-up)
1× Singles Semifinal appearance
Based in the U.S. (Wichita, KS / Irvine, CA)
More Than a Player
Fluent in four languages, Lingwei bridges cultures and communities wherever she competes — a natural fit for a global brand like IANONI. Her tennis pedigree shows in her footwork and shot variety; her pickleball instincts show in how quickly she reads the kitchen.
From ITF hard courts to PPA pickleball arenas, Lingwei Kong's journey is proof that great athletes don't just switch sports — they carry their standards with them. That's the story IANONI is proud to tell.
