All the players attending the first USA Pickleball National Indoor Championships , presented by Humana in June , not only experienced a fantastic event but were an important part of history in this ever-growing sport ! The five-day event took place June 8-12 at the Finley Center in Hoover , Alabama ( a few miles from Birmingham ). With more than 800 registered players from 33 states , and 14 sponsors , the first-year event exceeded nearly all expectations .

Most people probably think of pickleball as an outdoor sport . The highprofile events that are livestreamed and televised are almost all held outdoors . However , with nearly 45 percent of all pickleball courts here in the U . S . being indoor , the sport was overdue for some much-needed attention directed toward the indoor game .

The event was a few years in the making . Shortly after securing a multiyear agreement to host the sport ’ s premiere outdoor tournament , the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships , at the worldrenowned Indian Wells Tennis Garden , USA Pickleball moved quickly to identify a venue for the Indoor Championships . After establishing the venue criteria , one of which was a hardwood surface , the Finley Center was announced . Unfortunately , the COVID-19 pandemic required the postponement of the event for an additional year .

For me , this tournament had a remarkably familiar feel . My first outdoor National Championships was held in Arizona in 2013 with 858 players on 28 courts . This first indoor event had nearly the same number of players and courts , but offered more prize money and had more sponsors . Much like the growth and professionalism we have experienced with our outdoor National Championships , our intent is to establish a premiere tournament and spectator experience for those who play primarily indoors . Once established , there is no question that we ’ ll soon see new talent emerge that will put a “ face ” to the indoor game in the same manner we have seen occur with the ever-growing list of pro players who are now synonymous with the outdoor game .

On page 44 , please see USA Pickleball Managing Director Karen Parrish ’ s event article , which provides details of the division winners as well as additional insight into the event and those who were involved in making it a success .

With year one under our belt , I would like to thank all the players , referees , volunteers , and sponsors who made the 2021 event possible . The USA Pickleball tournament team also had great chemistry with the Finley Center team and city of Hoover . I am certainly looking forward to building off the success of this year ’ s event and to the announcement of the 2022 event soon . •

JULY / AUGUST 2021 | MAGAZINE 11

Pickleball Magazine 6-4 WD | Page 13

USA PICKLEBALL NATIONAL INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS