The PPA Tour visited St. George, Utah April 24-28 for the PPA Red Rock Open. Federico Staksrud has officially taken over as the #1 ranked player on tour and showed, once again, how he earned this spot by defeating Jack Sock to earn the gold in men’s singles. Two pro players earned their first ever PPA gold medals at this event. Despite Lea Jansen making a powerful run to the women’s singles gold medal match, she ultimately earned silver with Mary Brascia winning her first ever PPA gold medal. Lea Jansen also made a run for the gold medal in women’s doubles with partner Tina Pisnik and this time came out on top. This was Pisnik’s first ever PPA gold medal.
The APP Tour headed to Cincinnati, Ohio May 7-12. This event featured a slew of first-time winners on the medal stand. Grayson Goldin and Zane Ford battled it out for the men’s singles gold medal with Goldin coming out on top with his first ever gold medal. Despite coming in second place, this marked the first ever pro pickleball medal for Ford. The men’s doubles podium had several first-timers. Ryler DeHeart and Rob Nunnery defeated William Sobek and Casey Cullen for the gold (a first for DeHeart). With the bronze medal, both Jack Foster and Jason Bock secured their first ever APP pro medals. While Simone Jardim is no stranger to the medal stand, she fought back from a first game loss in women’s singles to claim her first gold medal of 2024. Jardim earned the double double with a gold medal in women’s doubles.
The MLP was also back in action with its first event of 2024 in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. In Premier, the New Jersey 5s featuring Anna Leigh Waters, Will Howells, Zane Navratil, and Mari Humberg, finished undefeated with all three matches in dream breaker. The St. Louis Shock featuring Anna Bright, Kate Fahey, Hayden Patriquin, and Gabriel Tardio finished in first place despite losing once to D.C. Pickleball. In Challenger, the Bay Area Breakers finished the event in first place with a huge lead. Their only loss was to the Frisco Pandas who are currently in second place.
For a full recap on these events, check out the following:
- First Time Winners Join Regular Gold Medalists at Pro Pickleball Association Red Rock Open
- Simone Jardim Stars Alongside First-Time Gold Medalists At The Association Of Pickleball Players Cincy Open
- Major League Pickleball Returns To Action In Atlanta
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for more pro pickleball action in May! 📆
