Pickleball Magazine 2019 USA National Championships | Page 25

matches on the event’s final day and
it appeared that it may have started
to take its toll on the talented and tall
right-hander.
Simone Jardim didn’t get to be
one of the sport’s elite players by
going quietly into the desert night.
Fighting back, she rallied her game
and defeated Kovalova in game two,
not relinquishing a point, winning
easily, 11-0.
“We have a very healthy rivalry,”
said Jardim. “We have played each
other so many times in every event,
and we both have been on the
winning and losing end of it. She is
an amazing player and friend.”
So it came down to game three
and Jardim’s steady play at the net
and lack of unforced errors proved
to be the difference, capturing gold
with a final-game score of 11-4. “I
had been hitting the ball well all
day,” she explained, “so I just had in
my mind that I had to play my game.
I knew she would come ready to
play and compete, so I just figured I
would put all that I had left out there.
I do believe she was tired from all
the tough matches she had to play
prior to the finals.”
In addition, with partner Kyle Yates,
Jardim won a Mixed Doubles title
and a bronze medal in Women’s
Doubles, teaming up with Corrine
Carr. So, despite not winning the
Triple Crown at Indian Wells, her
birthday gift was eagerly accepted.
And she will be the first to tell you
that age is just a number. Jardim’s
playing better than ever, competing
against the best in the world and
winning.
Indian Wells Tennis Garden is
also winning. “I think pickleball has
earned its place in the sporting
arena,” said Jardim. “Being able
to compete at Indian Wells is icing
on the cake and we all look forward
to 2020, which promises to be
the biggest year for professional
pickleball. At age 40, I never in a
million years thought I would be
part of something like this. I’m so
excited and can’t wait to see where it
takes me.”
Where it will take her and the rest
of the pickleball world remains to be
seen, but one thing’s for sure—Indian
Wells Tennis Garden and the 2020
Margaritaville USA Pickleball National
Championships October 31 through
November 8 will surely capture the
hearts and minds of all who love the
great sport of pickleball. •
Drew Wathey is Director of Media
Relations for the USAPA and author of
“A Season With Hope.”
Brother and sister team Riley Newman and Lindsey Newman
win silver in Mixed Pro Doubles.
2019 USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS EDITION |
MAGAZINE
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