TOP PROS SHOW AND TELL AT THE
2018 CITI OPEN PICKLEBALL
EXHIBITION AND CLINIC
H
ow often do more than 100 individuals agree on
anything? The 90 ticket holders, plus numerous
curious passersby at the Citi Open Pickleball
Exhibition, were unanimous in their reaction to the eight
professionals who put on an hour-long, all-out pickleball
demonstration—they make it look so easy.
Oohs, aahs and how-did-they-do-thats came from all
sidelines at the first-ever pickleball event held in conjunction
with the 50th Annual Citi Open Tennis Tournament in
Washington, D.C. Tournament officials said it was the best-
attended special event at this year’s seven-day tennis affair.
The pickleball action took place on Saturday, August 4.
In the men’s doubles demonstration, Chad Edwards, Joey
Farias, Tyson McGuffin and Matt Wright shared the court. Next
up, were the women—Sarah Ansboury, Simone Jardim, Lucy
Kovalova and Irina Tereschenko. The pros flew in from Arizona,
Kansas, Florida and Washington, among other pickleball
hotspots.
To round out the show, all participated in a game of mixed
doubles, even switching partners mid-action. The exhibition
was live streamed on Facebook and is available on the USAPA
Facebook page.
Pickleball clinics on multiple courts served as the second
half of the show-and-tell effort. Participants got a sample
coaching session from each pro, as the experts moved from
court to court focusing on dinks, drives, drop shots, blocks,
overheads and other key skills. The pro players made
themselves available for autographs and photos to cap off the
sunny morning.
Thanks to a team of 25 determined volunteers, what had
been a rain-drenched court the night before was dried off,
taped, and lined with chairs—with only a slightly delayed
start. USAPA President Jack Thomas and eight local USAPA
ambassadors pitched in and led the effort. Local player Gail
Scavongelli and USAPA Secretary Laura Patterson served
as referees.The event was conceived and organized by Helen
White, USAPA National Capital District Ambassador. •
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 |
MAGAZINE
69