Gabriel Tardio’s Mom Led Him: Gabriel Tardio captured two gold medals at the PPA Veolia North Carolina Open, including one in Men’s Singles. Encouraged by his mother to compete in all events, Tardio entered singles and triumphed, defeating the #1 seed and taking home a second gold in Men’s Doubles.
A Surprising Decision to Compete
Tardio wasn’t planning to play in the singles competition but decided to listen to his mother’s encouragement. “I know my mom is going to be really happy,” he said after the tournament. “Singles is not my favorite thing to do, and my mom is always pushing me to play. I’m playing this tournament because of her.”
His decision paid off on Championship Sunday as he claimed victory in both events.
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Battling to the Top
To win the singles title, Tardio had to overcome the top seed, Federico Staksrud, in a challenging semifinal match. The match went to three games, ending with scores of 4-11, 13-11, and 11-7.
In the final, Tardio faced Roscoe Bellamy, who was making his first appearance in a PPA singles final. Tardio dominated the match, winning 11-9, 11-5, and securing the gold medal.
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A Strong Finish in Doubles
Tardio’s success didn’t stop with singles. He also partnered with Ben Johns to compete in Men’s Doubles. Their teamwork helped them secure another gold medal, adding to Tardio’s impressive weekend.
With a strong field of talented players, Tardio’s achievements were even more remarkable. It’s noteworthy that he initially did not want to play singles, but his mother’s encouragement led him to become a champion.
A Lesson in Listening to Support
Gabriel Tardio’s success serves as a reminder of the importance of support from loved ones. His mother’s push to compete resulted in a championship weekend, proving that sometimes listening to family can lead to unexpected success. As the pickleball season continues, Tardio will look to build on this momentum and further establish himself in the PPA.
News in Brief: Gabriel Tardio’s Mom Led Him
Gabriel Tardio won two gold medals at the PPA Veolia North Carolina Open, including Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles. Encouraged by his mother to compete, Tardio defeated the #1 seed and claimed victory in his matches. His weekend success highlights the power of family support in sports.
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