Daniel de la Rosa Biography: Birthday, Career, Titles and Records

Daniel de la Rosa is a Mexican‑born racquetball champion who has shifted his focus to professional pickleball.

Born on 4 July 1993 in Chihuahua, Mexico, Daniel de la Rosa grew up representing his country in racquetball before moving to the United States. He competes in singles, doubles and mixed events and has become a prominent figure on the professional racquetball circuit, later turning his attention to pickleball.

De la Rosa’s career highlights include winning the International Racquetball Federation World Championships in both Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles in 2024, capturing the US Open title in 2021, and securing three consecutive Men’s Professional Year‑End Tour titles from 2021 to 2023 before dedicating himself to pickleball.

Daniel de la Rosa: quick facts

Full name: Daniel De La Rosa
Born: 4 July 1993, Chihuahua
Country: Mexico
Sport: Pickleball

Daniel de la Rosa’s early life

Daniel de la Rosa was born on 4 July 1993 in Chihuahua, Mexico. From a young age he displayed a talent for racquetball, joining Mexico’s junior national programme and travelling internationally to compete. His early exposure to high‑level competition laid the foundation for a distinguished senior career.

Between 2007 and 2011 de la Rosa represented Mexico at the IRF World Junior Championships. He reached the quarter‑finals of the Boy’s U14 Singles in Cochabamba in 2007, progressed to the semi‑finals in 2008, and was runner‑up in the Boy’s U18 Singles in Santo Domingo in 2011. He also contested doubles events with partner Missael Leija, achieving a semi‑final finish in 2007 and a runner‑up position in 2008.

At age 17, de la Rosa made his senior debut for Mexico at the 2011 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Managua, Nicaragua. He captured gold in the Men’s Singles, defeating Carlos Keller, Vincent Gagnon and Chris Crowther en route, marking a successful transition from junior to senior competition.

Daniel de la Rosa’s before pickleball

De la Rosa’s early professional years on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) began in the 2012–13 season, where he played half of the twelve events, reaching a semi‑final at the Stockton Pro‑Am and finishing ninth overall. This performance started a streak of top‑ten season finishes that would extend for nine seasons, making him the third Mexican to break into the IRT top ten.

The 2013–14 season saw de la Rosa compete in ten of eleven IRT events, reaching his first final in Davison, Michigan, where he fell to Álvaro Beltrán. He also earned a Men’s Doubles gold medal at the 2014 Pan American Championships with Edson Martinez. Later that year he claimed his first IRT title at the New Jersey Open, defeating Beltrán in the final and finishing the 2014–15 season ranked fourth.

From 2015 to 2019 de la Rosa added several major results: a bronze in Men’s Singles and a team gold at the 2015 Pan American Games, a silver at the 2016 World Championships, and multiple IRT finals including a US Open final appearance in 2015‑16. He captured his second IRT title at the 2017 Lewis Drug Pro‑Am and a third at the 2018 LA Open, while also winning Men’s Doubles at the 2018 IRF World Championships with Beltrán.

Daniel de la Rosa’s professional career

The 2019–20 IRT season marked a resurgence for de la Rosa, with victories at the 42nd Lewis Drug Pro‑Am in Sioux Falls and a Men’s Doubles title alongside Álvaro Beltrán. Despite these wins, he concluded the season ranked sixth. In 2021 he achieved a breakthrough, winning three consecutive IRT tournaments, including his first US Open title, and securing the Men’s Professional Year‑End Tour title for the first time.

De la Rosa’s dominance continued in 2022 with two IRT victories, allowing him to retain the No. 1 ranking at season’s end. In 2023 he switched his national allegiance to the United States, winning the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship with Alejandro Landa and the National Singles Championship, which qualified him for the 2023 Pan American Games representing Team USA.

Following his 2023 national successes, de la Rosa announced a shift in focus away from international racquetball to pursue a professional pickleball career. While his pickleball record is still emerging, his extensive racquetball experience and recent world titles in 2024 underscore his status as a top‑level racquet sport athlete.

Daniel de la Rosa’s titles and achievements

De la Rosa’s most notable racquetball titles include the 2024 IRF World Championships singles and mixed doubles crowns in San Antonio, Texas, and the 2021 US Open Men’s Singles championship. He also secured Pan American Men’s Singles gold in 2016, Men’s Doubles gold in 2014, and a World Doubles title in 2018 with Álvaro Beltrán. His IRT victories comprise the 2014 New Jersey Open, the 2017 Lewis Drug Pro‑Am, the 2018 LA Open, and the 2021 US Open among others.

In addition to individual triumphs, de la Rosa earned three consecutive Men’s Professional Year‑End Tour titles (2021, 2022, 2023) and contributed to Mexico’s team gold at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games. After changing allegiance to the United States, he added the 2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles championships to his résumé, setting the stage for his transition to professional pickleball.