Ivan Lendl Grand Slammer Exhibition: Tennis legend Ivan Lendl and pickleball champion Tyson McGuffin will headline the first Grand Slammer exhibition at the new Serve & Smash Padel and Pickleball Club on July 19. The event takes place at the club’s 25,000-square-foot facility at 61 E. Industrial Road in Branford, Connecticut.
Lendl and McGuffin will compete against Ryan Sherry, who won a Professional Pickleball Association gold medal, and Tom Lockwood, a senior pro pickleball player and former professional jai alai athlete. The showcase comes one month before the facility’s grand opening on August 15.
Exhibition Ahead of Grand Opening
Serve & Smash Padel and Pickleball Club is still under construction. The Hinding Group, the club’s owners, received a temporary two-day certificate of occupancy from the town of Branford to host the exhibition.
Despite the unfinished space, the Grand Slammer event is expected to draw attention for blending tennis and pickleball with high-level talent.
Event Features Top Athletes
Ivan Lendl is one of tennis’s most respected figures, known for his multiple Grand Slam titles. Tyson McGuffin is a leading name in professional pickleball.
They will be challenged by Ryan Sherry, a PPA gold medalist, and Tom Lockwood, who made his name in the fast-paced sport of jai alai before becoming a senior pro in pickleball.
Boost for Branford and the Club
The Grand Slammer event is designed to spotlight the club’s upcoming full launch. With big names involved, Serve & Smash aims to build momentum ahead of the August 15 opening.
The event also reflects how pickleball and padel are gaining popularity, drawing interest from both athletes and fans.
News in Brief: Ivan Lendl Grand Slammer Exhibition
Tennis star Ivan Lendl and pickleball champ Tyson McGuffin will face Ryan Sherry and Tom Lockwood in a Grand Slammer exhibition at Branford’s new Serve & Smash Club on July 19. The event is being held before the facility’s official opening in August.
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