player ,” said Johns . “ I ’ m just happy to be on the court with her and play with her and help her to win another Triple Crown .” The duo did not lose a single game the entire week at Nationals .
And , as with everyone else who ’ s been associated with the sport of pickleball over the past few years , Johns reflected on the undeniable growth of the game : “ From 2016 when I started playing Nationals to now , it ’ s worlds apart . I can ’ t wait to see where the sport continues to go .”
Where he went was to accept another men ’ s doubles crown with brother Collin . They claimed their second consecutive Nationals title by defeating JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier , 11-6 , 12-10 and 11-7 . For the Johns brothers it was career title # 26 . “ It [ had ] been an adverse week , mentally recovering , resetting and having the confidence to come back ,” said Ben .
On the women ’ s side in doubles , the dynamic duo of Catherine Parenteau and who else but Waters breezed to their ninth gold medal this season , disposing of the Brascia sisters , Maggie and Mary , 11-7 , 11-0 , 11-4 . “ A lot of time , I ’ ll just move the ball around until she puts it away ,” said Parenteau , ranked # 3 in the world in doubles . “ Or oftentimes , I ’ ll start speeding it up at first and then she ’ ll clean it up .” Both are cleaning it up in doubles , having never lost a match in their time together on a pickleball court .
Then it was their time to stare at each other across the net , as Waters ’ attempt to break the deadlock with Johns at 19 career Triple Crowns would be decided . Women ’ s singles would cap off an unforgettable week of pickleball in Dallas . Parenteau had a tougher time reaching the finals , trailing in both games to the talented Megan Fudge in the semifinals , before prevailing 11-8 , 12-10 .
Waters broke out early , capturing the first game 11-6 , but then Parenteau went up early in the second game and led 7-1 at one point . Waters battled back , tying it up , but eventually ended up on the short end , 11-7 . Once again in the deciding third game for the title , Parenteau led an early charge , opening up a 7-2 advantage , before Waters gathered herself . “ I know Catherine is a great player , but I also know that I can come back when I ’ m down ,” she said . “ I was just remembering that and all the times I had come back before .” Waters faced four championship points off the paddle of Parenteau , but eventually closed it out , electrifying the crowd with a 12- 10 victory , earning a record 20th career Triple Crown .
Off the courts , fun and festivities were a hot topic as well , with more and more celebrities inside the sports and entertainment fields being drawn to pickleball .
SEE NEXT PAGE �
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 | MAGAZINE 35