Noé Khlif: Nothing More Satisfying Than Winning Without Saying Much
By: Dink Authority Magazine Editorial Team
Photography: Carey Schumacher
Miami, Florida — Every Monday, in our team meeting, his name came up for his strong performance. The positive notes were already piling up, ever since he joined The Fives mid-season in 2025.
That attention didn't start because of his name on a roster — it started because of his game. Because of his consistency. Because of the challenge of being the partner of the No. 1 player in pickleball, the most talked-about name on the circuit — a challenge that never proved too big for this guy. Little by little he started writing his own name in capital letters, with his clarity on every point, his focus on every rally, until fans made it clear there's another Noé writing his own story. He's been fundamental to what The Fives have built this season, and one 100-shot rally confirmed it.
10-10. 100+ shots. Ben Johns across the net. Noé Khlif ends it, 11-10.
Those of us who had the chance to be there that day at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex felt every bit of that point — and that's when we said: we need Noé in our next issue.
Because before The Fives, before Orlando, before Dallas, Noé Khlif was something else entirely: a French tennis player who became his country's #1 junior, who crossed the Atlantic to play college tennis in Illinois, and who ended up, years later, sitting at a Deloitte desk eight hours a day, working as an auditor while a work visa decided, literally by lottery, whether he could stay in the United States.
Sofia, our Social Media Manager, reached out to him. He kindly said yes. And this is the result — his full story, in his own words.
His Beginnings
Noé Khlif was born with a racket in his hand. Literally: at age 4, in a small town 15–20 minutes outside Marseille, he started playing tennis alongside his four brothers, almost all at the same time. "It quickly became something we all shared," he recalls. But what really hooked him wasn't the family part — it was the one-on-one battle. "Once you stepped on the court, it was just you trying to figure out solutions to beat the person on the other side of the net. There was always a new problem to solve."
He solved that problem better than almost anyone in his country. Between ages 12 and 16 he trained at the French Tennis Federation Center and in 2012 became France's #1 ranked junior: declared Rafael Nadal fanatic, he wanted to follow in his exact footsteps.
Winning the French national championship with his whole family there is, he says, "something I will remember for the rest of my life." But the top comes with its own weight: "The better you perform, the more pressure and expectations you have. I do feel like I put too much pressure on myself, which ended up creating some injury issues throughout my career." That lesson, he admits today, would end up being key for what came next in pickleball.
In 2016 he made the decision that would change everything: crossing the Atlantic, the first in his family to do it, to play college tennis in Illinois. "It was definitely a scary decision — moving across the ocean and living so far from my family." There were weeks of homesickness, but by the end of his first semester he already felt comfortable, independent. Looking back, he understands that decision was about much more than tennis: "It was really the beginning of me becoming more independent, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and learning how to build a life for myself in a completely different country."
In Illinois came his most meaningful accomplishment: a Big Ten championship, after five years working toward that goal as a team, sealed with a win over Ohio State he can still describe point by point. "I hit a backhand down-the-line passing shot winner to win my match 6–4 in the third set. That moment has always stayed with me because it was a perfect example of everything we had worked for, and the importance of believing in yourself when the pressure is at its highest."
But even the best moments have an expiration date. After 20 years chasing the dream of becoming a professional tennis player, Noé had to accept that the dream, the way he'd imagined it, wasn't going to happen. What followed was a brutal shift: from training six or seven hours a day and competing at a high level, to sitting at a desk staring at a computer eight to ten hours a day. "I remember feeling like I was losing a part of myself because competing and being an athlete had been such a big part of my identity for so long."
And then, almost without looking for it, pickleball showed up. "It honestly felt like a breath of fresh air. It gave me the opportunity to compete again, but it also opened the door to an incredible community and so many amazing people—including my wife."
The hardest decision of his life, he says today, wasn't leaving tennis. It was leaving the stability of a corporate job to bet everything on a sport that was still in its infancy. "I don't regret that decision for a second."
Deloitte, the Lottery, and Jen
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Being the middle child of five boys left its mark. All athletic, all competitive, all driven — in the Khlif household, everything somehow turned into a competition: sports, school, video games, even family game nights. "That environment pushed me to always try to be better," Noé recalls. But the rivalry never overshadowed the support. "As competitive as we were with each other, we also always supported one another. That combination of competitiveness and support is something I've carried with me throughout my life."
That same resilience was truly tested in 2023 and 2024, during the months that defined his career. While turning pro, Noé was working full-time as an auditor at Deloitte — and his future in the United States literally depended on a lottery: the H-1B visa. "I knew there was a chance I wouldn't get it. That uncertainty made me start thinking seriously about what I wanted to do next."
He gave himself a chance. He drilled after work, used his vacation days to play tournaments. In the fall of 2023 came the moment that would change everything: the $25,000 Kitchen Open, the biggest amateur event at the time. And he got there by pure chance. "I was a last-minute replacement. My partner, Kevin Mark, was supposed to play with someone else, but his partner got injured and he reached out to my wife just two days before the tournament. I flew from Chicago to Dallas the day before the event, and we ended up winning the whole thing." Months later, toward the end of March 2024, came the news he'd feared: he wasn't selected for the H-1B. That's when he made the final call. He worked remotely and competed on the PPA Tour until his work visa expired in July 2024. "Those months were extremely difficult to balance — I was essentially living two lives." Since then, he's been all in on pickleball. "I had already walked away from one childhood dream once, and I didn't want to look back years later and wonder what could have happened if I had given pickleball a real chance."
In the middle of all that chaos, Jen showed up. They met at PPA Kansas City in August 2023, in a pretty unexpected way: rain that morning pushed a match back, the pro division moved up ahead of them, and Noé ended up sitting next to her watching the pros play. That same night, dinner with the group. "The rest is history." Today, Jen documents their family life on @courtsidewithjen, and Noé has no doubt how much it's meant having her by his side on such an unconventional path. "She has made a lot of sacrifices to help create a life and environment that works for both of us. Having someone who believes in me and is willing to build this journey with me means a lot."
Together they're raising three boys — and that's where the life of a professional athlete gets hardest to balance. "One of the most rewarding parts of being a dad is being able to bring my kids to tournaments and have them sitting courtside cheering me on." But the constant travel takes its toll too: "I don't get to spend as much time with them as I would like, and one of the hardest things is seeing them be sad when I have to leave for a practice or tournament. It's a constant balance, and I don't always get it perfect."
If one of his kids ever decides to follow in his footsteps, in tennis or pickleball, Noé already knows what he'd teach them first. "Enjoy the process, and most importantly, have fun. At the end of the day, whether they choose tennis, pickleball, or something completely different, I just want them to be happy and fulfilled with whatever they choose to do in life."
In His Own Voice: The Fives, Today
You were part of one of the most talked-about points of the season, that 100-plus-shot rally alongside Anna Leigh Waters in Orlando. Was there a moment during that point where you thought "this is over," and it wasn't? Whose determination kept it alive?
That point was absolutely insane. There were definitely multiple moments where I was thinking, "Holy shit, we're still playing!" I honestly felt like all four of us had opportunities to finish the point earlier, but the defense from everyone was just incredible.
Toward the end of the match, I honestly kind of blacked out. I wasn't thinking about the number of shots anymore or even how long we had been playing. At that point, giving up simply wasn't an option. Everyone was fighting for every single ball. And the crowd made it even more special. The atmosphere was electric. I don't think there was one person whose determination kept it alive — it was all four of us refusing to give in. That's what made the point so special.
As part of New Jersey 5s ("The Fives"), you arrived in Dallas as the top seed of the season. What's been key to building that level of consistency as a team?
I think the biggest thing is that we focus on giving 100% every time we step on the court and staying together as a unit. We know that over a long season, there are going to be ups and downs. What makes us strong is how we respond to those moments. We support each other, stay positive, and keep believing in one another. We don't let one bad match or one bad weekend define us. We also have incredible fans who bring so much energy everywhere we play. Knowing that they're behind us gives us an extra boost, especially in those big moments.
Watching matches, we notice some players can be pretty confrontational and provocative on court. Is there a specific team or player you feel extra motivated to beat? And how do you block out that kind of provocation mentally during play?
Of course, when there's trash talk or some extra emotion on or off the court, it can give you a little extra motivation. But for me personally, I try to stay in my zone and focus on what I need to do to win. I'd rather let my game do the talking and shut them down by getting the W. If someone is trying to get under my skin, I actually try to use it as fuel rather than letting it distract me. I tell myself that if they're spending energy trying to get in my head, then they're probably thinking about me instead of focusing on their own game. There's nothing more satisfying than walking away with the win without having to say much.
Fans wonder what it's like living day-to-day with The Fives roster, where every guy is a talented, star-level pickleball player. What's that team dynamic like behind the scenes?
We actually have a really great team dynamic, and I think it starts with our ownership group. They genuinely care about the players and have created an environment where everyone feels supported. Then you have a roster full of really talented players, which makes practices incredibly competitive. Nobody gets to take a day off because there's always someone next to you who is going to challenge you. But what makes the team special is that our relationships go beyond the court. We're genuinely good friends and spend a lot of time together outside of pickleball. There's definitely a lot of competition within the group, but there's also a lot of respect and support.
More Than a Player
You're one of the few top-level players of European origin in a sport dominated by Americans. Do you feel like a representative of France at this moment in pickleball? Do you feel a community growing back home because of players like you?
Absolutely. I feel a responsibility to represent France and Europe as well as I can, especially because there are still relatively few European players competing at the highest level. Pickleball is much more developed in the United States right now, but we're starting to see the sport grow quickly in Europe as well. The PPA is going to host several tournaments in Europe starting this fall. I'm also fortunate to have a close relationship with the French Federation, and I want to do whatever I can to help grow the sport in France. For me, the ultimate dream would be to represent France at the Olympics.
You left behind a career as an auditor and competitive tennis to bet everything on pickleball. Is there anything genuine you miss about that previous life — stability, routine, time with family — that you've sacrificed to chase this?
If there's one thing I genuinely miss, it's the stability. We travel 25–30 weeks out of the year, which means a lot of time away from home and family. I definitely miss having more of a routine. But at the same time, I know that this is the sacrifice that comes with pursuing the career I always wanted. I don't take for granted that I get to wake up every day and pursue something I'm passionate about.
To close out on something lighter: do you have a walk-out song, a pre-match superstition, or any ritual you always follow?
The night before a match, I like to meditate and visualize how I want to play. On match days, I usually listen to the same songs in the morning and listen to motivational speeches to get myself fired up. And one little superstition I have is that I like to put on a brand-new grip every day that I'm competing. I don't know if it actually makes me play better, but at this point I'm definitely not going to stop doing it!
What Comes Next
Who was your pickleball idol when you were just starting out — the player you watched and thought, "I want to play like that"?
I definitely looked up to Ben Johns. What really stood out to me was how disciplined and consistent he is. He doesn't seem to force things. He makes really good decisions, stays composed, and finds ways to win points without taking unnecessary risks. I also feel like his style matches my personality. I'm naturally pretty analytical, so I really connected with the way he approaches the game.
With everything you've built — family, career, community — what's next that you'd like to accomplish in pickleball?
I definitely see myself staying involved in pickleball long after my playing career is over. One of my biggest goals would be to have my own pickleball academy where I can help players of all levels develop their game. I also really want to help grow pickleball in France. Ultimately, I want my impact on pickleball to be bigger than just the matches I played.
And to wrap up: what do you want people to remember about your story, on and off the court?
I want people to remember me as a great player, athlete, and competitor, but even more importantly, as a great person. Someone who always gave 100%, competed until the very last point, and never gave up, regardless of the situation. I've had a pretty unconventional journey. I hope that people who watch and follow my journey can see themselves in it — a good example of what can happen when you work hard, take risks, and don't give up on your dreams. At the end of the day, I'd be proud if people remembered what I accomplished on the court, but even prouder if they remembered how I treated people and the example I tried to set off the court.
By: Dink Authority Magazine Editorial Team
Photography: Carey Schumacher
Miami, Florida — Every Monday, in our team meeting, his name came up for his strong performance. The positive notes were already piling up, ever since he joined The Fives mid-season in 2025.
That attention didn't start because of his name on a roster — it started because of his game. Because of his consistency. Because of the challenge of being the partner of the No. 1 player in pickleball, the most talked-about name on the circuit — a challenge that never proved too big for this guy. Little by little he started writing his own name in capital letters, with his clarity on every point, his focus on every rally, until fans made it clear there's another Noé writing his own story. He's been fundamental to what The Fives have built this season, and one 100-shot rally confirmed it.
10-10. 100+ shots. Ben Johns across the net. Noé Khlif ends it, 11-10.
Those of us who had the chance to be there that day at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex felt every bit of that point — and that's when we said: we need Noé in our next issue.
Because before The Fives, before Orlando, before Dallas, Noé Khlif was something else entirely: a French tennis player who became his country's #1 junior, who crossed the Atlantic to play college tennis in Illinois, and who ended up, years later, sitting at a Deloitte desk eight hours a day, working as an auditor while a work visa decided, literally by lottery, whether he could stay in the United States.
Sofia, our Social Media Manager, reached out to him. He kindly said yes. And this is the result — his full story, in his own words.
His Beginnings
Noé Khlif was born with a racket in his hand. Literally: at age 4, in a small town 15–20 minutes outside Marseille, he started playing tennis alongside his four brothers, almost all at the same time. "It quickly became something we all shared," he recalls. But what really hooked him wasn't the family part — it was the one-on-one battle. "Once you stepped on the court, it was just you trying to figure out solutions to beat the person on the other side of the net. There was always a new problem to solve."
He solved that problem better than almost anyone in his country. Between ages 12 and 16 he trained at the French Tennis Federation Center and in 2012 became France's #1 ranked junior: declared Rafael Nadal fanatic, he wanted to follow in his exact footsteps.
Winning the French national championship with his whole family there is, he says, "something I will remember for the rest of my life." But the top comes with its own weight: "The better you perform, the more pressure and expectations you have. I do feel like I put too much pressure on myself, which ended up creating some injury issues throughout my career." That lesson, he admits today, would end up being key for what came next in pickleball.
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In 2016 he made the decision that would change everything: crossing the Atlantic, the first in his family to do it, to play college tennis in Illinois. "It was definitely a scary decision — moving across the ocean and living so far from my family." There were weeks of homesickness, but by the end of his first semester he already felt comfortable, independent. Looking back, he understands that decision was about much more than tennis: "It was really the beginning of me becoming more independent, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and learning how to build a life for myself in a completely different country."
In Illinois came his most meaningful accomplishment: a Big Ten championship, after five years working toward that goal as a team, sealed with a win over Ohio State he can still describe point by point. "I hit a backhand down-the-line passing shot winner to win my match 6–4 in the third set. That moment has always stayed with me because it was a perfect example of everything we had worked for, and the importance of believing in yourself when the pressure is at its highest."
But even the best moments have an expiration date. After 20 years chasing the dream of becoming a professional tennis player, Noé had to accept that the dream, the way he'd imagined it, wasn't going to happen. What followed was a brutal shift: from training six or seven hours a day and competing at a high level, to sitting at a desk staring at a computer eight to ten hours a day. "I remember feeling like I was losing a part of myself because competing and being an athlete had been such a big part of my identity for so long."
And then, almost without looking for it, pickleball showed up. "It honestly felt like a breath of fresh air. It gave me the opportunity to compete again, but it also opened the door to an incredible community and so many amazing people—including my wife."
The hardest decision of his life, he says today, wasn't leaving tennis. It was leaving the stability of a corporate job to bet everything on a sport that was still in its infancy. "I don't regret that decision for a second."
Deloitte, the Lottery, and Jen
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Being the middle child of five boys left its mark. All athletic, all competitive, all driven — in the Khlif household, everything somehow turned into a competition: sports, school, video games, even family game nights. "That environment pushed me to always try to be better," Noé recalls. But the rivalry never overshadowed the support. "As competitive as we were with each other, we also always supported one another. That combination of competitiveness and support is something I've carried with me throughout my life."
That same resilience was truly tested in 2023 and 2024, during the months that defined his career. While turning pro, Noé was working full-time as an auditor at Deloitte — and his future in the United States literally depended on a lottery: the H-1B visa. "I knew there was a chance I wouldn't get it. That uncertainty made me start thinking seriously about what I wanted to do next."
He gave himself a chance. He drilled after work, used his vacation days to play tournaments. In the fall of 2023 came the moment that would change everything: the $25,000 Kitchen Open, the biggest amateur event at the time. And he got there by pure chance. "I was a last-minute replacement. My partner, Kevin Mark, was supposed to play with someone else, but his partner got injured and he reached out to my wife just two days before the tournament. I flew from Chicago to Dallas the day before the event, and we ended up winning the whole thing." Months later, toward the end of March 2024, came the news he'd feared: he wasn't selected for the H-1B. That's when he made the final call. He worked remotely and competed on the PPA Tour until his work visa expired in July 2024. "Those months were extremely difficult to balance — I was essentially living two lives." Since then, he's been all in on pickleball. "I had already walked away from one childhood dream once, and I didn't want to look back years later and wonder what could have happened if I had given pickleball a real chance."
In the middle of all that chaos, Jen showed up. They met at PPA Kansas City in August 2023, in a pretty unexpected way: rain that morning pushed a match back, the pro division moved up ahead of them, and Noé ended up sitting next to her watching the pros play. That same night, dinner with the group. "The rest is history." Today, Jen documents their family life on @courtsidewithjen, and Noé has no doubt how much it's meant having her by his side on such an unconventional path. "She has made a lot of sacrifices to help create a life and environment that works for both of us. Having someone who believes in me and is willing to build this journey with me means a lot."
Together they're raising three boys — and that's where the life of a professional athlete gets hardest to balance. "One of the most rewarding parts of being a dad is being able to bring my kids to tournaments and have them sitting courtside cheering me on." But the constant travel takes its toll too: "I don't get to spend as much time with them as I would like, and one of the hardest things is seeing them be sad when I have to leave for a practice or tournament. It's a constant balance, and I don't always get it perfect."
If one of his kids ever decides to follow in his footsteps, in tennis or pickleball, Noé already knows what he'd teach them first. "Enjoy the process, and most importantly, have fun. At the end of the day, whether they choose tennis, pickleball, or something completely different, I just want them to be happy and fulfilled with whatever they choose to do in life."
In His Own Voice: The Fives, Today
You were part of one of the most talked-about points of the season, that 100-plus-shot rally alongside Anna Leigh Waters in Orlando. Was there a moment during that point where you thought "this is over," and it wasn't? Whose determination kept it alive?
That point was absolutely insane. There were definitely multiple moments where I was thinking, "Holy shit, we're still playing!" I honestly felt like all four of us had opportunities to finish the point earlier, but the defense from everyone was just incredible.
Toward the end of the match, I honestly kind of blacked out. I wasn't thinking about the number of shots anymore or even how long we had been playing. At that point, giving up simply wasn't an option. Everyone was fighting for every single ball. And the crowd made it even more special. The atmosphere was electric. I don't think there was one person whose determination kept it alive — it was all four of us refusing to give in. That's what made the point so special.
As part of New Jersey 5s ("The Fives"), you arrived in Dallas as the top seed of the season. What's been key to building that level of consistency as a team?
I think the biggest thing is that we focus on giving 100% every time we step on the court and staying together as a unit. We know that over a long season, there are going to be ups and downs. What makes us strong is how we respond to those moments. We support each other, stay positive, and keep believing in one another. We don't let one bad match or one bad weekend define us. We also have incredible fans who bring so much energy everywhere we play. Knowing that they're behind us gives us an extra boost, especially in those big moments.
Watching matches, we notice some players can be pretty confrontational and provocative on court. Is there a specific team or player you feel extra motivated to beat? And how do you block out that kind of provocation mentally during play?
Of course, when there's trash talk or some extra emotion on or off the court, it can give you a little extra motivation. But for me personally, I try to stay in my zone and focus on what I need to do to win. I'd rather let my game do the talking and shut them down by getting the W. If someone is trying to get under my skin, I actually try to use it as fuel rather than letting it distract me. I tell myself that if they're spending energy trying to get in my head, then they're probably thinking about me instead of focusing on their own game. There's nothing more satisfying than walking away with the win without having to say much.
Fans wonder what it's like living day-to-day with The Fives roster, where every guy is a talented, star-level pickleball player. What's that team dynamic like behind the scenes?
We actually have a really great team dynamic, and I think it starts with our ownership group. They genuinely care about the players and have created an environment where everyone feels supported. Then you have a roster full of really talented players, which makes practices incredibly competitive. Nobody gets to take a day off because there's always someone next to you who is going to challenge you. But what makes the team special is that our relationships go beyond the court. We're genuinely good friends and spend a lot of time together outside of pickleball. There's definitely a lot of competition within the group, but there's also a lot of respect and support.
More Than a Player
You're one of the few top-level players of European origin in a sport dominated by Americans. Do you feel like a representative of France at this moment in pickleball? Do you feel a community growing back home because of players like you?
Absolutely. I feel a responsibility to represent France and Europe as well as I can, especially because there are still relatively few European players competing at the highest level. Pickleball is much more developed in the United States right now, but we're starting to see the sport grow quickly in Europe as well. The PPA is going to host several tournaments in Europe starting this fall. I'm also fortunate to have a close relationship with the French Federation, and I want to do whatever I can to help grow the sport in France. For me, the ultimate dream would be to represent France at the Olympics.
You left behind a career as an auditor and competitive tennis to bet everything on pickleball. Is there anything genuine you miss about that previous life — stability, routine, time with family — that you've sacrificed to chase this?
If there's one thing I genuinely miss, it's the stability. We travel 25–30 weeks out of the year, which means a lot of time away from home and family. I definitely miss having more of a routine. But at the same time, I know that this is the sacrifice that comes with pursuing the career I always wanted. I don't take for granted that I get to wake up every day and pursue something I'm passionate about.
To close out on something lighter: do you have a walk-out song, a pre-match superstition, or any ritual you always follow?
The night before a match, I like to meditate and visualize how I want to play. On match days, I usually listen to the same songs in the morning and listen to motivational speeches to get myself fired up. And one little superstition I have is that I like to put on a brand-new grip every day that I'm competing. I don't know if it actually makes me play better, but at this point I'm definitely not going to stop doing it!
What Comes Next
Who was your pickleball idol when you were just starting out — the player you watched and thought, "I want to play like that"?
I definitely looked up to Ben Johns. What really stood out to me was how disciplined and consistent he is. He doesn't seem to force things. He makes really good decisions, stays composed, and finds ways to win points without taking unnecessary risks. I also feel like his style matches my personality. I'm naturally pretty analytical, so I really connected with the way he approaches the game.
With everything you've built — family, career, community — what's next that you'd like to accomplish in pickleball?
I definitely see myself staying involved in pickleball long after my playing career is over. One of my biggest goals would be to have my own pickleball academy where I can help players of all levels develop their game. I also really want to help grow pickleball in France. Ultimately, I want my impact on pickleball to be bigger than just the matches I played.
And to wrap up: what do you want people to remember about your story, on and off the court?
I want people to remember me as a great player, athlete, and competitor, but even more importantly, as a great person. Someone who always gave 100%, competed until the very last point, and never gave up, regardless of the situation. I've had a pretty unconventional journey. I hope that people who watch and follow my journey can see themselves in it — a good example of what can happen when you work hard, take risks, and don't give up on your dreams. At the end of the day, I'd be proud if people remembered what I accomplished on the court, but even prouder if they remembered how I treated people and the example I tried to set off the court.
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