Elk Grove Pickleball Club Tournament: Eight teams took part in a pickleball tournament hosted by the Elk Grove Pickleball Club on Saturday morning, August 30. Each team had four players—two men and two women—and matches included one men’s doubles game, one women’s doubles game, and two mixed doubles games. Teams played to 25 points, and medals went to the top three finishers.
Competitive Level and Format
The event was played at the 3.5–4.0+ level, which means advanced intermediate players and higher. Pickleball skill levels range from 1.0, for beginners, to 5.0+, for experts. The format gave players a chance to test themselves against others at a similar level.
Growing Popularity of Pickleball
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, and many people are learning it in schools or through local clubs. The Elk Grove Pickleball Club teaches lessons for beginners and organizes events like this tournament to help players build skills and meet new people.
“You don’t have to be super athletic to really be skilled at it,”
said Dominic Cerri, secretary of the Elk Grove Pickleball Club.
“Just come out, have a good time and then you will develop those skills in time.”
A Sport for All Ages
Pickleball is a low-impact sport, making it easier on the body and lowering the chance of injury. The better a player becomes, the more competitive the games get. Tournaments allow players to push themselves and improve against strong opponents.
“It’s fun. There is a competitive element to it, that it’s an easy sport to play, but it’s a hard sport to get really good at. And that’s the challenge for all of the players,” (Dominic Cerri).
Building Skills Over Time
Like any other sport, success in pickleball takes practice. Clubs and tournaments give players opportunities to improve, but even casual games at local parks help players build the skills they need to enjoy the game and compete with confidence.
News in Brief: Elk Grove Pickleball Club Tournament
Eight teams joined the Elk Grove Pickleball Club tournament on August 30. Players competed in doubles and mixed doubles games at the 3.5–4.0+ level. With pickleball’s fast growth, the event showed how clubs help both beginners and advanced players improve, stay active, and enjoy the competitive side of the sport.