Pickleball’s popularity is ascending all across the United States, driven by the fun and low-pressure environment in which players of all ages and skill levels can play. As a blend of badminton, ping pong and tennis, pickleball offers a place where players can connect and interact with one another while having some outdoor fun. Vibha Kestur (‘24) touched upon how pickleball is a great way to bond with friends, “Pickleball offers a perfect mix of competition and closeness. Whether you’re hitting around with your friends or cheering each other from the sidelines, pickleball fosters a sense of teamwork and connection with my friends. I love that the social aspect extends beyond pickleball, celebrating with friends and having post-match talks, creating long-lasting memories is what pickleball is all about.” The sport is straightforward and its tightly packed court size makes it one of the fastest growing sports in America.
In the heart of Cary, North Carolina the stage was set for the Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Cup. Dillon Ho (‘24) shared his experience at the pickleball tournament, “The atmosphere of the stadium was vibrant and I didn’t expect so many people to be there, the games were intense and I enjoyed watching my favorite player Ben John.” The tournament was filled with energetic competitors and spectators gathered to witness pickleball’s capability to grow as a sport. This tournament was filled with players of all ages and skill sets, from seasoned pros like Ben Johns and Collin Johns to rising stars. The tournament included singles, doubles and mixed doubles while also holding multiple age divisions.
The men’s pro single was recapped by Ben Johns winning gold, Federico Staksrud winning silver and Connor Garnett winning bronze. The women’s pro single recap, Anna Leigh Waters winning gold which earned her 24th career PPA triple crown. Winning silver was Catherine Parenteau, getting her vengeance on the fifth-place player Salome Devidze. Lea Jansen earned bronze in a close match with first-place player Waters, resulting in Waters advancing to the finals.
As the final matches concluded, the national pickleball tournament in Cary, North Carolina showcased pickleball’s phenomenal growth in a vibrant and energetic manner.
