Cincinnati, Perth and Norfolk: Semifinal Wins, Bronze, and Love interview

APP Vlasic Classic: Golden Ticket Chase Intensifies with Dominant Semifinal Victories and Bronze Earned

Cincinnati, USA – The pursuit of a coveted Golden Ticket to the USA Pickleball National Championships heated up at the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati on May 10th. Semifinal matches delivered decisive victories, setting the stage for thrilling finals, while a bronze medal was also claimed.

In men's pro doubles, Casey Diamond and Kyle Koszuta secured their finals berth with a straight-game win (11-7, 11-8) over Ryler Deheart and Richard Livornese Jr, showcasing coordination and quick moves. Will Howells and Jack Munro also advanced to the final, dominating Brandon Lane and Drake Palm 11-5, 11-5, demonstrating strong teamwork and command.

Women's pro doubles saw equally commanding performances. Emily Cederquist and Yana Newell defeated Daria Walczak and Susannah Barr 11-7, 11-7, highlighting their teamwork and precision. Megan Fudge and Jillian Braverman delivered a strikingly one-sided victory (11-1, 11-0) against Judit Castillo and Allison Harris, displaying impressive skills and decisive control.

Earlier, Judit Castillo and Allison Harris secured the women's pro doubles bronze medal, overcoming Daria Walczak and Susannah Barr in straight sets, 11-8, 11-7, marking a significant step in their professional careers.

With spots in the national championships on the line, the finalists are now just one win away from claiming the title and their Golden Tickets.

Perth Open Shocker: Dramatic Comebacks and Crushing Shutouts Headline PPA Semifinals

Perth, Australia – The PPA Tour Australia's 2025 Perth Pickleball Open semifinals on May 10th and 11th delivered a mix of stunning comebacks and overwhelming dominance, setting up eagerly anticipated finals.

In Pro Mixed Doubles on May 10th, Roos van Reek and Jai Grewal staged a dramatic recovery after losing the first set 6-11 to Molly O’Donoghue and Louis Laville. By adjusting their strategy, van Reek and Grewal took the next two sets 11-5 and 11-3, securing their spot in the final with resilient, smart play. Also advancing were Kaitlynn Hart and Andrew Horridge, who dominated Seina Shima and Oliver Dobson with swift straight-game scores of 11-1 and 11-4, showcasing powerful serves and fast returns.

Women's Pro Doubles semifinals on May 11th featured remarkably one-sided victories. Kaitlynn Hart and Roos van Reek proved a formidable pairing, defeating Seina Shima and K.S. convincingly 11-1, 11-2, backed by strong serves and quick footwork. In arguably the most lopsided match, Katie Morris and Molly O’Donoghue swept Cindy Meintjes and Michelle Russ 11-0, 11-1, demonstrating complete command and sharp shots from start to finish.

These decisive semifinal results highlight the competitive intensity and diverse narratives unfolding at this major PPA Tour Australia event.

Atlanta Slam Preview: Waters/Bright Lead New Super-Partnerships into Stacked PPA Battleground

Atlanta, USA – The professional pickleball world shifts its focus to Georgia as the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships on the PPA Tour get underway, marking a significant "slam event" with crucial extra points at stake. A major point of interest is the women's doubles field, which features the first competitive outings of new prominent partnerships following the dissolution of the Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau pairing.

All eyes will be on the #2 seeds, Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright. Despite their seeding, they are considered the clear favourites to win the event, and how this new dynamic duo plays together is a key storyline. Standing as the #1 seeds are Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher, another newly formed team whose synergy on court will be closely watched.

The Atlanta event promises intense competition across all divisions. Mixed doubles sees the formidable Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns as the top seed and team to beat. The men's doubles and singles draws are also notably deep and challenging, filled with top-ranked players. With significant points on the line for the season-ending championships, every match in Atlanta is anticipated to be hard-fought and important.

Beyond the Dink: UK Champs Quit Day Jobs as Pickleball Growth Skyrockets Nationwide

Norwich, UK – The surging popularity of pickleball in the UK is leading some players to dedicate themselves to the sport full-time, leaving behind conventional careers. Richard Love, a 51-year-old national champion from Norwich, initially dismissed pickleball as not a "real sport" but has since become "absolutely hooked". He has quit his previous job to become a professional pickleball player and coach.

Love, along with three other players from Norfolk, recently secured gold medals at the English National Singles Championships. He notes the sport has "skyrocketed" in the UK, with approximately 45,000 people now playing nationwide. This growth is further evidenced by the anticipated 2,000 players at this year's English Open and the planned opening of a full-size pickleball venue near London.

Another example of this dedication is 17-year-old Ellie Tomkinson, who won gold at the English Nationals Women's Singles Open Championship. She found pickleball so "addicting" that she stopped playing tennis full-time a year ago to focus on it. This trend underscores pickleball's transformation from a perceived casual activity to a serious pursuit in the UK.