US Open Winners of Women ’ s Doubles Pro Corrine Carr and Simone Jardim
More than 1,300 players squared off during the course of the week , which , as is becoming a pattern for the event , included a mid-week heat wave . However , this year , Graham and her expansive network of event planners , volunteers and local government officials were ready to beat the heat .
“ The big thing that changed this year from last year was the shade . The first year was extremely hot and sunny , as Naples can be this time of the year ,” she said . “ Last year , we had great action . We had a party going on , but it was hard to get people to sit there in the bleachers from 2-5 in the afternoon . This year , the county ended up building us a shaded structure over center court .”
Collier County officials not only erected the massive , $ 750,000 permanent shade structure out of commitment to the US Open , but to pickleball ’ s popularity in Naples as
US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
a whole . The tent covers the county ’ s outdoor pickleball arena year round . When the Open is done , the bleachers come out and there are five permanent pickleball courts for community use . The space is also used to house the Pickleball Academy , taught by Simone Jardim .
“ It ’ s definitely an asset to the players and the spectators ,” Graham said . “ We had 1,000 people in that court Friday and Saturday . We were sold out , and a lot of that success had to do with a build-up of people coming into that area and seeing how unique and comfortable it was .”
That crowd was privy to some of the best pickleball the world has to offer , with players like Simone Jardim winning the Women ’ s Singles Pro , the Doubles Pro and the Mixed Doubles Pro , Ben Johns winning the Men ’ s Pro Singles , and more .
During timeouts and intermissions , the crowd was entertained by musical acts that got them on their feet , something that ’ s unique to the sport of pickleball .
“ Pickleball is a social sport ,” Graham said . “ People will play 3 to 4 hours and go have lunch . We now have this competitive part of the game coming on strong with all the pickleball pros and tennis pros playing , but we still want to preserve this rock concert-type feeling we ’ re creating . I don ’ t know who enjoys it more , the players or spectators . You walk into the championship court and people are smiling ear to ear . They ’ re having a blast . The people have taken it to a whole other level including the pro players . There ’ s nothing better than a timeout and music playing and seeing Simone dancing . It ’ s just a fun atmosphere .”
Another significant change to the Open from last year included a flag ceremony held the Saturday night before the men ’ s finals , which included 17 flags representing countries
US Open Winners of Men ’ s Doubles Pro Kyle Yates and Dave Weinbach
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MAY / JUNE 2017 | MAGAZINE 35