PPA Tour Hits Kansas City: The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour commenced on Wednesday in Overland Park, Kansas, launching a week-long pickleball spectacle. The event, held at Elite Tennis and Wellness near 143rd and Metcalf, features a dynamic mix of local talent and out-of-state players. Over 150 qualifiers are competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches.
Preston Deno of the PPA Tour estimated around 400 spectators daily, reflecting the growing interest in pickleball. The tournament includes a diverse range of players, from seasoned professionals to amateurs in the Over 50 category and juniors aged 7 to 16.
“It’ll be a packed house all week.” – (Deno)
Young Talent
Twelve-year-old Caroline Maguire, ranked number 2 nationally, expressed her feelings about her success.
“To me, it feels good because, but I also don’t want it to seem like I’m bragging, which is also not personal to me, but it also feels really good to accomplish that. To me, my friends they don’t know anything about pickleball so it doesn’t mean anything to them.” – (Caroline Maguire)
Sport’s Rapid Growth
The rapid growth of pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., is evident in the tournament’s scale and facilities. Brandon French, a professional who transitioned from law to pickleball in 2019, commented on the sport’s evolution.
“The venues are getting nicer, the locations are getting nicer, everyone wants to come out and play now,” French said. He also highlighted improvements in infrastructure, “A year ago, there might not have been permanent nets, permanent lines, but all that’s getting taken care of.”
Diverse Competitors
Deno reported that approximately 50% of the tournament’s participants are local, with the remainder traveling from across the country. Wyatt Stone, a 19-year-old professional, has been competing since he was 13.
“To be able to compete week in and week out as my job and get to compete. I’ve played sports all my life. So, I just like competing in tournaments and stuff.” – (Wyatt Stone)
Inspiration and Advice
Ryan Sherry, a former NFL representative who now competes professionally in pickleball, appreciates the sport’s accessibility. “It’s the only sport where you can go out play with your friends, play with your mom, play with your grandma,” Sherry said. He advised aspiring players to “Just have fun.”
Maguire and Stone emphasized enjoying the game. “Just believe in yourself,” Maguire advised, while Stone added,
“People are so serious, some kids are so serious that come and enter, whose parents are so serious. But just have fun and play a lot and try to do your best, you’ve got years to come to get better.”
The tournament will conclude with the championships on Sunday. Spectators are encouraged to attend and witness the thrilling finale throughout the weekend.
News in Brief: PPA Tour Hits Kansas City
The PPA Tour Selkirk Kansas City Open began on August 7, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas, drawing all local and out-of-state players to compete. Over 150 qualifiers are engaged in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches, with about 400 spectators expected daily. The tournament features players of all levels, including juniors aged 7 to 16 and seniors in the Over 50 category.
Twelve-year-old Caroline Maguire, ranked number 2 nationally, highlighted the event’s rising profile. Professional player Brandon French praised the sport’s growing infrastructure, while competitors like Wyatt Stone and Ryan Sherry emphasized the enjoyment and inclusivity of pickleball. The championships are set for Sunday, with spectators welcome throughout the weekend.
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