Seventeen-year-old Valerie Simon embodies the true spirit of perseverance.

Before pickleball was even on her radar, the former nationally ranked junior tennis player underwent internal navicular fixation surgery twice—first on her right foot in February 2023, then on her left in May 2024—at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.

The procedure treats fractures or severe injuries of the navicular bone, a key bone in the arch of the foot, by realigning the bone fragments and stabilizing them using internal hardware like titanium screws or rods.

Simon was just 15 when she and her family sought the guidance of renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mark Drakos, to address an injury that was repeatedly misdiagnosed and ultimately jeopardized her athletic career.

“I had very sharp and constant pain in my right foot. We would keep going to the doctor in Florida every single week, and they kept telling me that there was nothing wrong. There was MRI after MRI and X-ray after X-ray, and they kept saying that it was okay for me to keep playing tennis when that wasn’t the case,” explained Simon. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t until after eight MRIs and we finally got to HSS that we learned the truth. I actually needed surgery.”

Two titanium rods were installed to correct the issue, followed by intense rehab and physical therapy, but she fought her way back to competitive tennis alongside her peers.

Sadly, Simon’s comeback was short-lived. 

After compensating for her right-foot injury for so long, her left eventually fractured as well and required Dr. Drakos to step in once again. Two additional titanium rods were inserted, and the long road of recovery began all over again.

That’s when pickleball entered the picture. 

First introduced by her mother, Daniella, it quickly became a cornerstone of Simon’s physical therapy program, and from there, her appreciation for America’s fastest-growing sport soared.

“Pickleball was such a blessing. The passion that I had for tennis quickly transferred over, and it’s been more than I ever could have imagined,” she praised. “It gave me purpose back. I’ve been an athlete all my life, and tennis was such an important part of it, so to be able to come back and get out there and play pickleball every day is amazing.”

By January 2026, Valerie and her younger sister, Victoria, both signed with the PPA Tour, marking the start of the next chapter in their professional sports journey.

For Valerie, in particular, it was a major milestone that showcased the extraordinary challenges she had faced and triumphed over.

“Joining the PPA Tour meant everything because there were so many months where I didn’t know if I was going to be able to use my feet in the way I did before, so I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity,” emphasized Simon. “Being signed just showed me how far I’ve come, and the adversity that I’ve overcome. I can’t wait to keep growing and getting as good as I can.”

When she’s not competing or training, Simon focuses on supporting others with similar medical and health challenges through the Serve for Strength Foundation, which she established in September 2024.

The nonprofit organization is dedicated to turning adversity into advocacy, strengthening communities through sport, supporting world-class medical teams like HSS, and inspiring those with long roads to recovery.

“Serve for Strength was born out of the hope that I could help people and make a difference in their lives. No one has to suffer alone. I know the hardships and adversity that I needed to overcome, so I really wanted to build a foundation for other people,” explained Simon. “Our whole purpose is raising money and building a community, and we do that through community events, especially pickleball. I love bringing my passion for pickleball into the community and bringing people together.”

These days, Simon is affectionately known by two notable nicknames.

“Bionic Girl” is a nod to her titanium rods, while “Super Girl” honors her grit and determination.

“With every step I take, I'm defying the odds, so that’s where “Super Girl” came from,” revealed Simon. “When I’m doing my community events and talking to others to really give them the strength and the hope that I found within myself—and with the people around me—that’s the nickname I like to use. I want to show them how they can defy the odds just like I did.”

Click here to learn more about Serve for Strength.