From Courtside To Courts: Fil-Am Pickleball Phenom Lauren Mercado Heads To The Philippines For SM Active Hub Tour
The world of pickleball continues to evolve—and this time, the Philippines is about to get front-row access to one of its brightest rising stars.
Seventeen-year-old Filipino-American sensation Lauren Mercado is set to return to her roots for a special tour of the Philippines, where she’ll conduct clinics, exhibition matches, and meet-and-greets at select SM malls as part of the SM Active Hub series. Her visit is more than just a showcase—it’s a celebration of culture, talent, and the explosive growth of pickleball in Asia.
And for the Filipino pickleball community? It’s the perfect chance to witness greatness up close.
From Basketball Dreams To Pickleball Passion
Before she was a top-tier athlete with multiple pro-level podiums, Lauren Mercado was a passionate basketball player. The pandemic disrupted those plans—but instead of walking away from sports, she found herself drawn to a new obsession: pickleball.
What started as casual rallies with her father quickly escalated. By 2021, Lauren had entered her first competitive event—and won. Just two years later, she was battling it out in the PPA, APP, and USA Pickleball circuits, showing the world that you don’t need a tennis background to make waves in this fast-growing sport.
Her rise has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Highlights Of Lauren Mercado’s Young Yet Stacked Career
Despite her age, Lauren has already amassed a long list of achievements across North America and Europe:
🏆 Professional & Open-Level Results
Top 16 finishes at multiple APP Pro events: Sacramento, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, New York, Cincinnati, SoCal
1st Place – Women’s Pro, 2024 Canada-USA Challenge
3rd Place – Mixed Pro, 2024 APP English Open
1st Place – Mixed Open, 2024 PNW Classic & Frontier Days Bend
3rd Place – Women’s Doubles, 2024 Hawaii Open
🌟 Emerging Pro-Level Results
3rd Overall – APP NextGen 2024 (Dallas & St. Louis)
1st Place – USA Pickleball 2023 Mixed Doubles National Champion
1st Place – 5.0 Mixed Doubles (Mountain Regionals)
1st Place – 5.0 Women’s Doubles (Utah Shootout)
And she’s only just getting started.
Lauren’s Upcoming Philippines Tour With SM Active Hub
Lauren Mercado is bringing her energy, skills, and love for the sport to the Philippines in a three-day tour across Metro Manila. Here's where you can catch her:
📍 April 11, 2025 – SM Mall of Asia
A full day of excitement awaits. Meet Lauren, play some pickleball, and get inspired by a live exhibition that blends fun, flair, and finesse.
📍 April 12, 2025 – SM Megamall
Level up with a high-intensity clinic designed to help players of all levels. Lauren will share insights into her training, techniques, and mindset on court.
📍 April 13, 2025 – SM Southmall, SM City Marikina, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Bicutan
The tour continues with multiple appearances across key malls. Expect fun drills, spontaneous rallies, and the opportunity to meet a future global ambassador of the sport.
Train With A Future Star – Sign Up For SM Active Hub
Interested in more than just spectating? Becoming an SM Active Hub member via the SM Malls Online App gets you priority access to Lauren’s clinics, Meet & Greet opportunities, and exclusive merchandise.
This isn’t just a tour. It’s a movement—and a rare chance to learn from one of the sport’s freshest and most inspiring talents.
A Spark For The Next Generation
Lauren’s story breaks the mold. No tennis background. No elite academy training. Just raw athleticism, dedication, and a love for competition. Her success proves that anyone—regardless of background—can thrive in pickleball with the right mindset.
Her visit to the Philippines is more than a homecoming. It’s a chance to inspire the next generation of Filipino picklers to chase their own paths on the court.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this milestone moment in Philippine pickleball.
Catch Lauren Mercado live, connect with a growing community, and maybe even discover your own inner champion.
See you at the courts!