Nikolai Chernyshov – Founder and Coach PROpickleball

How training sessions are structured

Николай связывает технику с реальной игровой задачей. Игрок понимает, где находиться, зачем выбирать конкретный удар, что делать после контакта с мячом и как строить розыгрыш вместе с партнёром. Программа идёт от базовых навыков к самостоятельным решениям, тактике и соревнованиям.

Sports achievements

Nikolay competes in singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles tournaments in Russia and abroad.

• Silver medalist of Thailand Open 2026 in the men's singles
• Winner of HOLEY BALL CUP #2 2026 in the Advanced category in mixed doubles with Vera Ilyina.
• Bronze medalist at the international Blue Bay Cup 2025 in China in mixed doubles with Vera Ilyina.
• Two-time bronze medalist at the first international Russian Tennis Federation Pickleball Cup 2025: men's doubles Tour and mixed doubles Tour.
• World doubles champion in China, 2024.
• Moscow singles champion, 2024.
• Moscow doubles champion, 2025.
• At international events in China, he won two singles gold medals and one doubles gold medal.
• Has a profile and rating in the international DUPR system.

Coaching qualifications and international statuses

Nikolay combines Russian certification with international coaching education and practice.

• Certified pickleball coach of the Russian Tennis Federation; certification received on 21 July 2025.
• IPTPA Level 2.
• Coaching certification in China.
• Coach and WPC ambassador.
• Coach and PPA Tour ambassador.
• President of the Pickleball Federation of the Republic of Belarus.
• Member of the commission pickleball at the Russian Tennis Federation.
• Amateur League chief pickleball.

More than 20 years in racket sports

Tennis, table tennis, padel, squash and badminton help Nikolay quickly identify a player’s strengths. In training, useful transferable skills are retained, while movements and decisions that interfere on the smaller court are rebuilt for pickleball.

PROpickleball: from the first game to competition

Николай развивает PROpickleball с 2023 года. Он отвечает за спортивную методику, тренировочные продукты, турниры, площадки, партнёрские и образовательные проекты. Клуб строит полный путь игрока: знакомство с пиклболом, обучение, регулярная практика, рейтинг, турниры и сообщество.

• More than 400 active players in the club community; in 2026 the project's overall sports community grew to 750 participants.
• More than 3000 participants in training sessions, master classes and open events.
• More than 50 organized tournaments, master classes and sports events.
• Founder of a pickleball club and the HSE University pickleball team.
• Participation in the development of Open Play, rated matches, tournaments, corporate programs and PROpickleball educational formats.

The first international Russian Tennis Federation Cup and PlayOn.social

At the first international Russian Tennis Federation Cup, Nikolay worked both as a player and an organizer. PROpickleball supported international communication and tournament operations, while PlayOn.social was used to manage results and submit them to DUPR.

• Two bronze medals for Nikolay in the Tour category.
• Pickleball master class as part of the tournament.
• Communication with international participants and support for the tournament process.
• Using PlayOn.social for results and DUPR integration.

Pedagogy and Pitman Training

Николай окончил магистратуру НИУ ВШЭ «Управление и предпринимательство в образовании». До PROpickleball он создал и управлял лицензированным образовательным центром международной сети Pitman Training в Москве. Поэтому тренировка строится как понятный образовательный процесс: определить стартовый уровень, разбить навык на этапы, дать критерии выполнения и проверить его в игре.

• Founder and former head of the licensed Pitman Training education center in Moscow.
• Development of educational programs and individual learning pathways.
• Recruitment, training and management of instructors.
• Setting quality standards and progress controls.
• Investment in the education center paid back in 18 months.

Education

Nikolay combines training in business, education, communications and sports management.

• HSE University — master's program in Management and Entrepreneurship in Education.
• Plekhanov Russian University of Economics — bachelor's program in Small and Medium Business Management.
• ФГБНУ «Институт управления образованием Российской академии образования» — профессиональная переподготовка по государственному и муниципальному управлению в сфере образования.
• HSE University — Data-Driven Communications program.
• La Salle Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona — academic mobility in business and IT.
• At HSE University, he prepared the master’s thesis “Managing the Development of Sports Organizations amid the Emergence of New Disciplines: The Case of Pickleball” within the International Sports Management, Marketing and Law program.

Sports teams before PROpickleball

Николай создаёт спортивные проекты со студенческих лет. Этот опыт помогает ему работать не только с техникой отдельного игрока, но и с командой, соревновательной целью и долгим циклом подготовки.

• He founded the club and the HSE curling team
• In four months, he brought the new HSE curling team to the second place of the All-Russian Universiade 2020
• Winner of the Christmas Tournament 2019 and medal finishes at Curling Battle 2020.
• He organized 28 university tournaments on the free pyramid in the billiard club of the Plekhanov REU

Schools, universities and open master classes

Николай проводил занятия и презентации пиклбола в школах, университетах, спортивных клубах и на крупных мероприятиях. Важная часть этой работы — быстро и понятно познакомить человека с новым видом спорта и довести его до первых настоящих розыгрышей.

• Master classes and pickleball development at HSE University.
• Seven school master classes as part of developing the children's program; individual events were held at schools №1576, №1355 and №1347.
• Joint sessions for children and parents.
• HSE University master class in February 2026, joined by more than 70 participants in one evening.
• Representing HSE University and pickleball at WE SPORT! MARKET.

Large and social sports projects

PROpickleball introduces the game beyond club customers. The team brings pickleball to federal, exhibition, educational and social venues.

• Presentation of pickleball at the international forum Russia — Sports Power.
• Exhibition courts and master classes at RSKG rounds together with SMP.
• The first open wheelchair pickleball master class at the Kolomensky Sports Complex for participants with musculoskeletal disabilities.
• In 2026, PROpickleball organized Russia’s first in-person IPTPA Level 1 exam for pickleball coaches with support from the Russian Tennis Federation and RAMSPORTS.
• Development of PROpickleball's international junior program.

International practice and languages

Николай играл и соревновался в России, Китае и Таиланде и встречался на корте с представителями разных стран. Этот опыт используется при подготовке к разным стилям соперников и турнирному давлению. Тренировки проводятся на русском и английском языках; английский — C1, IELTS Academic. Также владеет разговорным испанским.

Media and expertise

Nikolay acts as a public expert on pickleball and the development of the new sports discipline.

• Author of expert pickleball articles for T—Zh, including a detailed rules guide.
• Expert and featured guest in Moscow 24 stories about pickleball.
• HSE University publications on sports results, international competitions and the development of university pickleball.
• Public master classes and appearances at sports forums and events.

Additional management and sports experience

Before and alongside PROpickleball, Nikolay participated in entrepreneurial, educational, sports and case-based projects.

• Finalist for Skolkovo × MTS grants in 2019 and 2020.
• Finalist of the ‘I Am a Professional’ Olympiad, 2020.
• Prize money and final results of Changellenge Cup Moscow 2016 and 2019, Urban.Tech 2019 and Alfa-Agile 2017.
• Prize winner at the International Plekhanov Readings.
• Best volunteer at the communications center of the Russian Formula-1 Grand Prix 2020.
• Gold GTO badge, half-marathon experience and Hero Race participation.

Who the sessions suit

Новичкам, которым нужна правильная база; игрокам из других ракеточных видов спорта; продолжающим, которым не хватает системы; участникам рейтинговых матчей и турниров; игрокам, которым нужен разбор решений, тактики и понятный план роста.

Main directions

Обучение с нуля, индивидуальная траектория развития, переход из других ракеточных видов спорта, подача и приём, мягкая игра, третий удар, выход к линии кухни, переход из защиты в атаку, контроль темпа, позиционирование, парная коммуникация, одиночная и парная тактика, анализ матчей, DUPR-игра и подготовка к российским и международным соревнованиям.