Elite Pickleball Action Hits Cape Coral: The newly opened pickleball venue, The Courts, made a spectacular debut on the international stage as it hosted the Veolia Cape Coral Open over the weekend. Formerly known as Lake Kennedy, the state-of-the-art facility proved to be the perfect setting for a Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) event, drawing massive crowds and delivering top-tier competition.
Anna Leigh Waters Dominates with Another Triple Crown
Pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters continued her dominance, securing yet another triple crown—winning women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Waters, who now has over 32 triple crowns, put on a thrilling performance, coming from behind in multiple matches. The Cape Coral crowd cheered her on throughout the tournament, especially during an intense five-game battle.
In women’s doubles, Waters teamed up with Catherine Parenteau to take down the No. 2-seeded duo of Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher in another high-energy showdown.
Christian Alshon Wins First PPA Singles Gold
While Waters stole the show in the women’s division, the men’s singles event provided its own dramatic storyline. Christian Alshon, a rising star from Florida, captured his first-ever PPA singles gold medal after a thrilling comeback victory against Jaume Martinez Vich in the final.
Alshon’s victory was made even more special by the support of the rowdy Cape Coral crowd, which he acknowledged in his post-match speech, thanking his family and friends for their encouragement.
Ben Johns Falls in Singles, Triumphs in Doubles
In a surprising upset, Ben Johns, one of the biggest names in pickleball, was knocked out in the men’s singles quarterfinals. However, he rebounded in men’s doubles, where he teamed up with Andrei Daescu to claim the title. They defeated Alshon and Federico Staksrud, preventing Alshon from doubling up on gold medals.
A Weekend of Top-Tier Pickleball
The Veolia Cape Coral Open featured four days of spectacular pickleball, with sold-out crowds over the weekend. The beautiful weather and competitive atmosphere added to the event’s success. Alongside the professional matches, amateur events took place on the back courts, giving fans a chance to watch potential future stars in action.
What’s Next for The Courts?
Following its successful debut, The Courts in Cape Coral is set to host the APP US Collegiate Championships on March 28th, bringing even more elite pickleball action to the city. With this event, Cape Coral is proving itself as a premier destination for professional pickleball tournaments.
News in Brief: Elite Pickleball Action Hits Cape Coral
Cape Coral’s new pickleball facility, The Courts, made its debut at the Veolia Cape Coral Open, hosting four days of top-tier competition. Anna Leigh Waters won another triple crown, while Christian Alshon secured his first PPA singles gold medal. The facility will next host the APP US Collegiate Championships on March 28th.
ALSO READ: Anna Leigh Waters Makes History with 33rd Triple Crown at 2025 Veolia Cape Coral Open
