Controversy Strikes at the PPA World Championship: In his latest video, professional pickleball player Zane Navratil recapped the recent PPA World Championship, an event he believes may now be the biggest in the sport, even surpassing the U.S. Open in scale and spectator numbers. Navratil, who didn’t attend the previous year due to “tour wars,” noted the massive turnout and excitement, describing the championship’s setup as “pretty crazy.” Throughout the week, thrilling matches and memorable moments provided a show of skill, controversy, and intense competition.
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Monday Highlights: A Split Age Showdown
The week opened with the split age event, which featured an intense match between Ben Johns and UPA owner Tom Dundon against Gabe Tardio and UPA board member Brian Levine.
Navratil highlighted the game’s implications beyond just a gold medal, as Tardio is reportedly negotiating his 2024 contract, making the victory especially significant. Tardio and Levine claimed the win in an unstreamed match, kicking off the week with intrigue.
Surprising Upsets Midweek
Tuesday’s results came with a notable incident: Ryan Sherry defaulted, later attributing the mishap to Bluebell Ice Cream. By Thursday, upsets continued as Quang Duong and CJ Klinger defeated top pair Ben and Collin Johns with a decisive 11-1, 11-6 score.
In singles, Michael Loyd stunned fans by taking down Ben Johns, while Samantha Parker achieved a major win over second-seed Brook Buckner. Navratil and his partner Travis also celebrated an upset victory over Andre and Gabe, capping off a day of unexpected results.
Friday’s Controversial Match Point and More Lloyd Magic
As the weekend approached, Michael Loyd continued his remarkable run, overcoming JW Johnson in a match that resembled a Cinderella story. Later, Navratil and Travis found themselves in the most controversial match of the day.
During the pivotal third game at 9-9, Navratil challenged a winning call from opponent Fed’s overhead, only to encounter a series of reversed and re-reversed decisions. The extended challenge dispute ultimately saw Matt and Federico prevail, ending the match on a controversial note.
Sunday Wrap-Up and Road Ahead
By Sunday, Michael Loyd’s exceptional tournament performance came to an end against Federico “Fetty” Staksrud, though not without making waves in the bracket. The weekend also marked a victorious return for Navratil’s ProXR teammate, Riley Newman, who re-entered the winner’s circle.
The tournament concluded with thrilling women’s results as “The Girlies” defeated Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau in a three-game nail-biter, with Waters later rebounding to claim titles in singles and mixed doubles.
Next Stop: Navratil’s Hometown of Milwaukee
The PPA World Championship was a spectacle of skill, resilience, and unexpected twists, with each day bringing fresh stories and unforgettable moments. Navratil now turns his focus to the tour’s next stop in his hometown, Milwaukee, where more exhilarating matches and potential upsets await.
News in Brief: Controversy Strikes at the PPA World Championship
In a recent video, professional pickleball player Zane Navratil recapped the PPA World Championship, which he now considers the sport’s largest event. The week opened with a split-age match and continued with surprising upsets, including Michael Loyd’s victory over top players like Ben Johns.
Controversy arose when Navratil’s challenge dispute resulted in a tense, game-deciding call. By the weekend, Loyd’s run ended, but Riley Newman celebrated a return to form, and Anna Leigh Waters secured titles after a tough loss in women’s doubles. Navratil now looks forward to the tour’s next stop in his hometown, Milwaukee.