PPA Tournament in Holly Hill: The PPA professional pickleball tournament is underway in Holly Hill, Volusia County, attracting hundreds of amateur and professional players. The event highlights the rapid growth of pickleball as a popular recreational activity and spectator sport in America.
A New Era for Pickleball
Rachel Rohrabacher, a professional pickleball player from Tampa, describes the sport as “really tiny tennis or really big ping pong,” played with a wiffle ball and paddle. Rohrabacher notes that pickleball is gaining traction as a spectator sport. “The amount of fans there and support for the players has just grown tremendously,” she says, referring to recent events.
“I think the past events that we just played last week in San Clemente is a great example of just even in the time that I’ve started in the past year. The amount of fans there and support for the players has just grown tremendously. And it’s just a really incredible thing.” – (Rohrabacher)
According to the PPA, more than 320,000 fans attended events on the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) in 2024. This marks a 40% increase compared to 2023, showing the rising interest in the sport.
Celebrating Achievement
Rohrabacher recently received the 2024 Most Improved Player award in MLP Premier Level. In doubles, she partners with Anna Bright, who together form the second-ranked women’s doubles team on the PPA Tour. Rohrabacher emphasizes the importance of trust and communication with her partner.
“We sound like a broken record saying this, but, we are such good friends on and off the court. I think that that truly helps us. We have — I learned this through college — If you don’t trust the people that you’re competing with and playing with then you might not be competing to the level you are. Or, like, have the trust between your partner. It’s just so important.” – (Rohrabacher)
“So we really trust each other, especially with feedback. It helps us work through things on the court. It helps us communicate with each other, good and bad. We both know what we need on the court. And it’s just it just really works for us. And we’re also a similar type of competitor. We like to be loud. We like to be super intense and we just know each other so well. So it’s really paid off.” – (Rohrabacher)
Their strong friendship on and off the court contributes to their success.
A Growing Community
In Florida, players can find competitive matches easily, particularly in the Tampa Bay area. Rohrabacher notes that Florida may not be widely recognized as a hotspot for professional players, but there are some notable competitors.
“Yes, I think that anywhere in Florida you’re going to have some luck and success at most levels finding great play. I think it’s not known as a hotspot for professional players, but there is a couple of professional players, Travis Rettenmaier’s one. He’s actually in the St. Pete area, but that’s so close And there are some great facilities.” – (Rohrabacher)
Travis Rettenmaier, a professional player from St. Petersburg, is also participating in the tournament this week. He encourages local recreational players to join in the fun.
“Come to Crescent Lake [Park], you know, come to our park, come to Fossil [Park], and there’s games going all the time.” – (Rettenmaier)
The tournament in Holly Hill continues through Sunday, showcasing the excitement and growth of pickleball across the nation.
As pickleball’s popularity soars, events like the PPA tournament not only provide entertainment but also help foster a growing community of players and fans. The sport’s accessibility and appeal are likely to bring even more enthusiasts into the fold, ensuring its status as a beloved recreational activity for years to come.
News in Brief: PPA Tournament in Holly Hill
The PPA professional pickleball tournament is currently taking place in Holly Hill, Volusia County, attracting hundreds of amateur and professional players. With over 320,000 fans attending PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball events in 2024—a 40% increase from 2023—pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity as a recreational activity and a spectator sport.
Professional player Rachel Rohrabacher, the 2024 Most Improved Player, emphasizes the sport’s community aspect, encouraging local players to join in. The tournament runs through Sunday, showcasing pickleball’s exciting growth nationwide.
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