Merchant started out playing Pickleball for fun, but quickly became enamored with the sport. His first US Open was in 2018 and he earned two silver medals. At that point he wanted to take it to a higher level. 

As a regular pro player Merchant was among the top pros in the game, medaling in many professional tournaments including the US Open and US Nationals. Merchant is now the #1 Senior Pro according to Senior Pro Tour rankings. In 2023, he has won the US Open, Masters,  Tournament of Champions and still going! 

Outside of pickleball Altaf supports his community and has served on numerous boards in Owensboro, KY. His proudest achievement is being part of a group that built Merchant Centre Court in collaboration with the city. It is a premier tennis facility that hosts numerous tennis and pickleball tournaments throughout the year.

 “I left home in 1991 and looked forward to my weekly phone calls with my parents back in Mumbai. The last few years the conversations with my dad dramatically changed. After the COVID travel restrictions were lifted and I was able to go visit, it was gut wrenching to see what Alzheimer’s had done to my Dad. He had an incredible mind and it has taken that from him. One day I saw on social media some of my closest pickleball friends playing and there was a SAN sign in the background. After that, I connected with Shaun McDuffee to see how I could get involved. My personality is a fighter and I am going to fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s” - Altaf Merchant