THE TOP-RANKED TANDEM OF ANNA LEIGH WATERS AND BEN JOHNS WAS UNSTOPPABLE AGAIN IN MIXED DOUBLES.
FEDERICO STAKSRUD SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED A DIFFICULT MEN’ S BRACKET TO FINISH ATOP THE PODIUM IN MEN’ S SINGLES. incredible setup and an incredible experience,” said Decker.
“ Honestly, I was a little overwhelmed when I walked in, with it being my first tournament and not knowing logistics. It’ s a big space and lots of courts, lots of people, but you can feel the energy with the music pumping. This is incredible. I’ m definitely coming back.”
This edition of Worlds stretched across two weekends. The first featured the St. Louis Shock claiming the inaugural Edward Jones MLP Cup Premier Level title over the hometown Dallas Flash. Meanwhile, Utah Tech University topped a global field during the first-ever Adidas College World Championships.
As the days progressed, Junior PPA standouts shined, adaptive wheelchair champions were crowned, and competitions like the Battle of the Badges and Battle of Branches honored military veterans and first responders. The inaugural PPA Challenger Showdown concluded with top performers earning coveted Carvana PPA Tour contracts.
Pickleball Boulevard pulsed with constant activity— fans enjoyed live programming including the soldout Celebrity Pickleball Showdown featuring stars Dirk Nowitzki, Terrell Owens, J. D. Martinez, and Tfue; clinics from elite pros; daily concerts on the FLIGHT by Yuengling Stage, including a memorable Mat Kearney performance; XGLOsive glow-in-the-dark pickleball; King of the Court play; a wooden paddle tournament; and a parent-child round robin.
“ The flow of Pickleball Boulevard was beneficial to both the people primarily there for the boulevard, but also for the players being able to go back and forth,” noted Clark.
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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025 | MAGAZINE 39