Team World vs. Team USA’ Pickleball: Professional pickleball player Federico Staksrud has sparked an exciting discussion in the pickleball community with a recent social media post suggesting a new event format: “Team World vs. Team USA.” Inspired by the concept of tennis’s Laver Cup, Staksrud’s proposal has gained traction among fans and players alike who are eager for new, dynamic ways to showcase the sport.
Staksrud, a member of Team JOOLA Pickleball, shared his idea on Twitter, stating, “Team World vs. Team USA in pickleball could be a lot of fun (play and watch). I believe [the] @PPAtour had it on schedule a couple of years ago, but it didn’t happen. Could be a good concept once a year. I think fans would love to watch something like that.”
Team World vs Team USA in pickleball could be a lot of fun (play and watch)
— Federico Staksrud (@federicostak) September 2, 2024
The idea is to create an event similar to the Laver Cup, which pits European tennis stars against their counterparts from the rest of the world in a three-day competition format. Staksrud envisions a weekend-long tournament, from Friday to Sunday, featuring a mix of singles, mixed doubles, and gender-specific doubles matches.
In response to a fan’s question about potential team rosters, Staksrud mentioned, “I think you can easily have 10 per team.” The fan suggested a lineup with Staksrud and Catherine Parenteau (CP) leading Team World, while Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters would headline Team USA. This kind of star-studded event could attract significant viewership, given the current popularity of players like Johns and Waters, who are among the most recognized faces in professional pickleball.
Staksrud’s idea quickly garnered support from fans, with one commenting, “Yeah, I like this idea. Would be very fun.” The enthusiasm reflects a growing appetite for unique formats that break away from traditional tournament structures, offering a fresh, competitive angle to the sport.
The timing for such an event might be ideal. With pickleball’s explosive growth, having a marquee event that pits the best American players against top international talent could further elevate the sport’s profile. It could also serve as a bridge to engage a broader, global audience.
While there are no confirmed plans for a “Team World vs. Team USA” event just yet, Staksrud’s proposal has certainly sparked conversation and excitement. Whether or not this vision becomes reality will depend on the governing bodies like the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and their willingness to innovate.
For now, the pickleball community remains abuzz with speculation about who would make the cut for these all-star teams and what such an event could mean for the future of the sport. One thing is clear: the fans are ready, and the players seem willing to make it happen.
News in Brief: Team World vs. Team USA’ Pickleball
Professional pickleball player Federico Staksrud has proposed an exciting new event format: “Team World vs. Team USA,” inspired by tennis’s Laver Cup. Staksrud envisions a weekend tournament featuring singles, mixed doubles, and gender-specific doubles matches, potentially with 10 players per team. The idea has garnered enthusiasm from fans and players, with suggested rosters including stars like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. While the event isn’t confirmed yet, it could boost pickleball’s profile and engage a global audience, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity and appetite for innovative formats.
