MARCELLO PAIVA JARDIM TAKES GOLD IN THE SENIOR PRO MEN ' S SINGLES DIVISION.
PHOTO BY BRUCE YEUNG; IG: @ YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY
They took game one 14-12 after a backhand attack winner by Yang. Then at 5-all in the second game, the duo reeled off six straight points to take home gold.
“ This is amazing. This is my dayone tournament back in 2016 and it just keeps getting better and better. It’ s just phenomenal the way the tournament was put together,” said the ambidextrous Munro.
Yang started playing pickleball just two short years ago and gives much credit for his success in the sport to Munro.“ I have to thank Jack a lot. I just moved to Austin in February and Jack took a chance on me in this tournament. I owe him a lot.”
Women’ s singles featured reigning USAP National Champion Bobbi Oshiro and Fudge, who lost to Oshiro in the semifinals in Arizona. This time it was a different story, as Oshiro committed an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors— 28 in all for the two-game match— losing to Fudge 11-4, 11-7.
“ Megan is a great competitor. It’ s always going to be a good match playing her, and kudos to her and her game,” said Oshiro.“ She was just a better player today.”
The 37-year-old Fudge, originally from Germany, played consistently throughout the finals and gave thanks in her postmatch comments to those who support her.“ I feel like I’ m playing chess out there. Thanks to my team who allows me to stay calm on the court and to execute our game plan.”
A silver medalist in last year’ s US Open, Chris Haworth was in complete control of his finals match against Grayson Goldin. Haworth took the first game 11-3— hitting five winners— while Goldin, unable to get it going offensively, suffered through eight unforced errors. Haworth closed out the match, taking game two 11-6.
“ We’ ve probably played six or seven finals throughout the year in doubles. We definitely know each other’ s games, so it can go either way,” said Haworth.“ I started playing pickleball a couple of years ago and I never imagined it would lead me here.”
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MAY / JUNE 2025 | MAGAZINE 31