The Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, Powered by Margaritaville, is“ the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World” and the tournament has made that claim for almost nine years now. To add to that notable accomplishment, tournament organizers announced prior to Championship Saturday that the lease in Naples has been extended to 2032.
Enthusiasts of the sport made their way to the west coast of Florida from all 50 states and 40 countries. Some made the trek from as far away as Armenia and Zimbabwe. There were 3,450 competitors of all ages and skill levels who competed on the 60 courts, and 400 of them were professionals playing for a purse of a little over $ 163,000. A record crowd of 55,000 + fans were on hand to see the sport’ s finest throughout the week, with an expected economic impact for Greater Collier County to be about $ 14 million.
As the highly anticipated mixed doubles match got underway on the Zing Zang Championship Court, it was clear from the outset that both Waters and Agassi were a bit nervous. Across the net were two players younger than Anna Leigh— 16-yearold Tristan Dussault and 13-year-old Stevie Petropouleas. After winning the opening game 11-8, Waters / Agassi found themselves at 9-all in the second game when an Agassi backhand sailed wide, followed by an unforced error, and the match was evened up at one game apiece. The dynamic duo had made 15 unforced errors in the game.
In the third and decisive game, at 2-2, ALW got the crowd on their feet with a return around the pole and down the line for a winner. They would go on to capture the match 11-7 after Agassi hit a winner down the center of the court.
“ It was definitely a different experience. I think we were both a little nervous in the beginning, but I’ m glad we were able to pull it out in the third,” said Waters. Agassi, never shy to add a comedic element, said,“ I was as nervous as a gypsy with a mortgage!”
CHRIS HAWORTH WINS GOLD IN THE PRO MEN ' S SINGLES DIVISION.
PHOTO BY BRUCE YEUNG; IG: @ YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY
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