2025 MLP Columbus Heated Rivalry Incident: The St. Louis Shock remained unbeaten with a 3-0 win over the Orlando Squeeze at Major League Pickleball Columbus presented by The James at Ohio State on Saturday night. But the match drew attention for more than just the final score.
After a mixed doubles match, Kate Fahey of the St. Louis Shock appeared to call Federico Staksrud of the Orlando Squeeze a “f**king b**ch” during post-match handshakes. The comment came after Fahey and Gabe Tardio won a tight 11-9 match over Staksrud and Lacy Schneemann.
Controversy at the Net
The moment followed a tense sequence late in the match. With the score at 10-9-1, it looked like St. Louis had won the point to end the game. But just before Gabe Tardio smashed the ball, someone on the St. Louis bench cheered.
Referees ruled that the cheer caused a distraction and gave the point to Orlando. That brought the score to 10-9-2. Fahey and Tardio stayed focused and won the next rally, closing the game and giving St. Louis a 3-0 lead in the match.
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Fahey Speaks After the Incident
Kate Fahey later addressed her actions during a post-match interview:
“All love. Fed and I talked after—it’s all good. I get heated. Everybody knows I get heated, and it’s really hard when it’s 9-9 and it gets kind of in the heat of the moment. I’m working on it—I think our team is working on it—but everybody wants it just as badly as everybody else, and they’re extremely great competitors. Win or lose that match, I think we learned a lot from it.” – (Fahey)
This isn’t the first time a St. Louis player has used that same insult. Last week at MLP Orlando, Hayden Patriquin said the same thing to Anna Leigh Waters, which caused strong reactions on social media and at the event.
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Different Reactions This Time
Unlike the earlier incident, the comment in Columbus didn’t cause much drama. Federico Staksrud was seen smiling after the match and later shared online that he “loved every second of it.”
Major League Pickleball had released a statement after the Patriquin-Waters exchange, but it’s unclear whether the league will do the same now, as the responses have been more relaxed this time.
Looking Ahead in Columbus
Both teams have more matches to play at the event. The St. Louis Shock, now 6-0 with 17 points, will take on the Phoenix Flames and the New York Hustlers on Sunday. The Orlando Squeeze, who are now 7-2 with 20 points, will face the Hustlers and the Chicago Slice to finish their weekend.
News in Brief: 2025 MLP Columbus Heated Rivalry Incident
The St. Louis Shock beat the Orlando Squeeze 3-0 at MLP Columbus, staying undefeated. A tense moment followed the match as Kate Fahey appeared to insult Federico Staksrud. Both players later downplayed the event. The teams will continue their weekend matches on Sunday in Ohio.
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