by Joe James
What’s the story?
The Proton PPA Tucson Open marks the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour’s first visit to Tucson, Arizona.
This event is significant and highlights the tour’s growth as it will be hosted at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club, which is an upgrade on the previous Arizona venue, the JW Marriott at Desert Ridge.
The tournament boasts 22 dedicated pickleball courts and 25 tennis courts which could be converted temporarily for the tournament.
As the third stop on the PPA Tour in 2025, following events in California (The Masters) and Australia, the tournament is an Open event, meaning winners will receive 1,000 PPA points for each event.
A blend of international and U.S. players will make up the competitors, with some Australian players registered to make their debut on the PPA tour, including Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis who have signed for the United Pickleball Association (UPA).
The Tucson Open comes quickly for players like Hurricane Tyra Black who have just competed in the PPA Australia tournament.
The tournament is a key event for players to earn points in the PPA and Major Pickleball League (MLP) integrated system, and the UPA are driving these events as ways to generate more fans for professional pickleball.
The Recap
The Proton PPA Tucson Open will run from Thursday, February 6th, until Sunday, February 9th.
Thursday kicks off with the Women’s and Men’s Singles, with Friday focusing on the Mixed Doubles. Saturday features the Women’s and Men’s
Doubles with Sunday being Championship Sunday that also includes the bronze matches.
Matches will be broadcast on PickleballTV from the Championship Court and Grandstand Court.
Australian duo Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis are joining the PPA Tour for the first time after signing with the UPA, with Kaitlyn Christian being a hot favourite after winning two of her last three events.
There are three new high-profile doubles teams that will make their debuts at the Tuscon Open. Hayden Patriquin and Ben Johns, CJ Klinger and Fed Staksrud, and Rachel Rohrabacher and Hayden Patriquin again will all be teaming up for the first time.
Dominating duo Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns will also be returning as a mixed doubles team, but Waters, Johns, as well as Catherin Parenteau are not playing singles in a bid to conserve energy in the early stages of this year.
Gabe Tardio won the men’s singles title in Australia, but he will not be competing in Tucson, however there is plenty to keep fans entertained throughout.
The PKLBull Verdict
The Proton PPA Tucson Open in Arizona is a significant event, marking the tour’s expansion and attracting a mix of established and rising talent.
The tournament is set to provide an array of intriguing and exciting matches, particularly in the doubles events, with many new and returning partnerships competing.
Australian players arriving on the PPA tour will create a new dynamic for the tournament and its competitors, offering interesting matchups and more development of the professional game.
Tiredness due to the quick turnover from the tournament in Australia could play a factor in the early stages of the tournament, and it is certainly something to keep an eye on.
With some notable absentees in some of the tournaments, like Tardio, Johns and Waters in the Men’s and Women’s singles, respectively, the Tucson promises to be a thrilling competition.