Most days, Erica Gonzalez can be found at the pickleball courts at Solivita in Kissimmee. They’re so popular, she makes sure to reserve a spot.

“Everybody thinks of pickleball as an old person’s sport, we’re in a community of 55 and above folks. But it is considered the fastest growing sport in the United States and the world,” said professional pickleball player Erica Gonzalez.

 The Puerto Rico native is no stranger to racket sports. Gonzalez started playing tennis when she was 7 years old and continued moving up the ranks.

“I played number one in college for four years, grad school and then was playing team tennis in my 30’s at the 4-5 level,” said Gonzalez.

But after 40 years of competing in tennis, she decided it was time for a new challenge, and she found it in pickleball.

“It’s one of the funnest games, it’s very social; everybody’s very welcoming and there’s always something to work on,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez planned on playing for recreation, but her friends knew she’d shine in a competition setting.

“I said, 'Alright, if I can get you off my back, 'cause I told you I’m not competing anymore, I’ll do it,'” said Gonzalez. “And wouldn’t you know, I got bronze in the 50-54 age group. Now I’m hooked. I’ve got 21 tournaments scheduled this year!”

One of the big ones is the National Senior Games in Ft. Lauderdale. Twenty two sports will be represented - including pickleball - broken up by five year age groups.

“By keeping people in their age group, you’re actually leveling the playing field a little bit and that’s a huge plus starting out,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez has won three golds, a silver and a bronze at the Senior Games and now she not only competes: she’s also a huge advocate.

“It’s competing in order to stay active and it gives you a purpose to just get out there, meet new people, have a good time, while also working on your fitness,” said Gonzalez.

For the 56-year-old, any tournament is about all of those things, but it also feels pretty great to take home some hardware.

“It was really about living the challenge, finishing and my husband was there cheering me on. And it was great. It was like that monkey off my back,” said Gonzalez.

Whether it’s her power, her competitive edge, or her flexibility, it’s fun to watch Erica when she’s in the zone.

“I usually stop what I’m doing to watch her because she is someone to look up to and see the time she puts into it.  I see her practicing, I see her doing drills,” said Erica’s friend, Meg Conger.

Gonzalez teaches pickleball on the side to many students in her community. Conger says Erica’s helped her improve tremendously, but that it’s more learning skills.

“She’s also given me confidence,” said Conger. “Before my first tournament, I would speak to her and she’s like ‘you’ve got this,’ really in a calm mood. Go try it.”

Gonzalez will surely have a ton of supporters cheering her on at the Senior Games in May, and this competitor will continue to give it everything she’s got.

“I do my best, I play my best, that I show up and leave everything on the court,” Gonzalez said.  “If that comes with medals, awesome, and if it doesn’t, that’s fine because I was there. I competed and I did the best that I could at that time.”