Pro Men ’ s Singles gold medalist Chris Haworth digs low for a backhand return . hosted the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships Nov . 9-17 with 41 outdoor pickleball courts , including a fully shaded stadium court , in the 300-acre complex . With a purse of $ 225,000 , this year ’ s tournament was the richest to date .
The Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa , Arizona ,
USA Pickleball Nationals Brings Together Top Pros and Amateurs
A new Southwest home set the stage for the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships .
by DREW WATHEY / photos by BRUCE YEUNG ,
USA PICKLEBALL
Pro Men ’ s Singles gold medalist Chris Haworth digs low for a backhand return . hosted the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships Nov . 9-17 with 41 outdoor pickleball courts , including a fully shaded stadium court , in the 300-acre complex . With a purse of $ 225,000 , this year ’ s tournament was the richest to date .
While the professional men and women in pickleball garner the most attention , it is the amateur sector that grows exponentially every year . For this event , approximately 2,400 players registered in the amateur divisions , reaching capacity well in advance of the cutoff date .
“ Having so many players register for our premier event is a huge testament to the growth of the sport ,” said Mike Nealy , chief executive officer of USA Pickleball . “ Our USA Pickleball team was energized and ready to execute an incredible event , ensuring that our athletes have the best possible experience while they compete at the highest levels .”
If there ’ s strength in numbers , USA Pickleball is hitting its stride at 40 years old . It boasts a membership of more than 80,000 pickleball enthusiasts . And , since the organization is always looking to expand its reach among players , new to the event this year was a wheelchair division . These participants have played in the past , but mainly in a separate bracket . Now they are part of the official tournament .
“ At USA Pickleball , we ’ re committed to ensuring that pickleball is a sport for all , including varying abilities of players ,” said Justin Maloof , chief competition officer . “ We ’ ve featured wheelchair pickleball in past Nationals , but this year marks the first time these divisions can compete .”
While many of the pro player marquee names were not part of the competitive landscape in Mesa , the level of play was exceedingly high .
Top-ranked Chris Haworth of Oklahoma City swept through the men ’ s singles bracket , capturing the gold medal with a win over Patrick Kawka . Haworth made it to the finals with an easy 11-0 , 11-3 win over Max Green in the semifinals while Kawka had a tougher time with second-seeded Grayson Goldin , winning in three games , 11-9 , 7-11 and 11-9 .
“ It ’ s a few point swings here and there , it ’ s a game of runs … I just got a little luckier ,” said Kawka after the semifinal .
He had a premonition of sorts when seeing Haworth before his first-round match . Kawka jokingly told him , “ I ’ ll see you in the finals .”
And see he did . Entering the championship match , Kawka knew he had his hands full with Haworth and
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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024 | MAGAZINE 31