Final MLP Waiver Period 2024: In the third and final waiver period of the 2024 season, former tennis star Genie Bouchard and rising pickleball player Roscoe Bellamy were added to Major League Pickleball (MLP) Premier-level rosters. These moves, however, come as the Utah Black Diamonds and Columbus Sliders have already been eliminated from playoff competition.
Bouchard was selected to replace the recently acquired Genie Erokhina on the Utah Black Diamonds’ roster. At the same time, the Columbus Sliders tapped Bellamy to fill in for Jay Devilliers, who will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Bouchard’s Anticipated MLP Debut in Las Vegas
Bouchard, known worldwide for her achievements on the tennis court, is now taking her talents to the fast-growing world of pickleball. She joins the Utah Black Diamonds, a team that also features the talents of Connor Garnett, Tyler Loong, and Alix Truong. Bouchard will be making her MLP debut at the league’s upcoming event in Las Vegas, where the Black Diamonds are set to play their final five matches of the season.
Although the team is already out of the running for the playoffs, Bouchard’s arrival brings excitement and intrigue. Fans and observers alike are curious to see how the former tennis star will adapt to the pace and dynamics of professional pickleball, as she looks to make her mark in her first MLP matches.
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Bellamy Returns to Premier-Level Play After Challenging Start to the Season
For Roscoe Bellamy, this waiver period marks a return to Premier-level competition in Major League Pickleball. A former UCLA tennis standout, Bellamy began the year with the Miami Pickleball Club at the Challenger level and even filled in for the Orlando Squeeze during MLP Salt Lake City. Now, he finds himself on the Columbus Sliders’ Premier roster, joining a team that already features top players Riley Newman, Parris Todd, and Callie Smith.
Despite the tough circumstances, Bellamy expressed his excitement about the opportunity.
“I’m honored to play for a Premier team. I’m really fortunate to be called up, so hopefully I can perform well and give it my all.” – (Bellamy)
Interestingly, Bellamy has already begun building rapport with one of his new teammates, Callie Smith. The two are competing as a mixed doubles pair at the Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup, where they recently pulled off a surprising upset win over No. 13 seeds Etta Wright and Tyler Loong. This early success suggests that Bellamy and Smith are already forming the kind of chemistry that will serve them well as they compete in their first MLP event together.
The Road Ahead: Closing Out the Season in Las Vegas
Both the Black Diamonds and the Sliders will conclude their seasons with five matches each at MLP Las Vegas. For Utah, it’s Bouchard’s chance to debut on the MLP stage, bringing a fresh wave of attention to the team. As for Bellamy and the Sliders, they’ll be looking to close out their year on a positive note, even though a playoff spot is no longer in sight.
While neither team will be fighting for a post-season berth, the addition of high-profile and up-and-coming talent like Bouchard and Bellamy ensures that these final matches will be worth watching. Fans of both teams will be eager to see how their new players integrate into their respective squads and what kind of performances they can deliver to close out the year.
News in Brief: Final MLP Waiver Period 2024
Genie Bouchard and Roscoe Bellamy have joined the MLP Premier Level rosters of the Utah Black Diamonds and Columbus Sliders, respectively, during the final waiver period of the 2024 season. Bouchard, replacing Genie Erokhina, will make her MLP debut in Las Vegas. Bellamy steps in for the injured Jay Devilliers on the Sliders roster.
Both teams are out of playoff competition but will play their final five matches of the season in Las Vegas. Bellamy and Callie Smith, already competing together in mixed doubles, recently upset Etta Wright and Tyler Loong at the Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup.
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