tournament news
WORLDPICKLEBALL
CHAMPION
N
Young pros are
starting to drive
the pickleball train.
I
By Alice Tym
t appears that young players are gaining a voice
in pickleball. They want rankings; they know
that other sports have #1 players. Young players
are willing to innovate and experiment. They
have found a supporter in Jan David. Originally from
Bratislava, Jan came to the U.S. via Canada. He started
Pickleball Global as a business to establish rankings in
pickleball. “A rating may be helpful initially, but players
care how you perform. You need to have skin on the
market. Go and compete. Be rewarded for your skill in
action,” he says.
From December 27-30, 2019, a $100,000 purse
attracted 421 players, including pros from all over the
country, to Punta Gorda’s new 16-court Pickleplex.
The local government built the facility on the campus
of Florida SouthWestern State College. Dave Fox,
Pickleplex Director, says the courts were built in May
2019 on a 15-year lease. Phase two includes an eight-
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court indoor facility with a restaurant, pro shop, fitness
center, and meeting center. The facility is free to the
public. Tournament revenue pays for the excellent
lights. Bleachers were donated; they are close and make
an intimate setting for the crowd. Teams of volunteers
worked tirelessly to keep the courts dry during scattered
showers. A number of tournaments are scheduled at this
venue, including next year’s World Championships.
Jan reached out to the players. He feels that they have
to come together because it is in their own best interest.
They chose 10 existing tournaments they think should
count for rankings. The World Championship was the
culmination of the series.
Exciting matches in the Women’s Pro division resulted
in Vivienne David winning gold, Lucy Kovalova, silver,
and Irina Tereschenko, bronze. They covered the court
so well they nearly ended up in the broadcasting booth!