Takeaways From The PPA's SXY Newport Beach Open!


My wife and I both enjoy pickleball.

We enjoy playing it.

We also enjoy watching the pros.

And we especially enjoy watching the pros in person!

We have been fortunate to attend several pro tournaments on both the PPA and MLP Tours. 

Last weekend, we attended the PPA's SXY Newport Beach Open tournament in California.

Here are some of my takeaways from the tournament:

 1.  The pros are really good!  That should go without saying, but sometimes, when seeing pro matches live, it is even more obvious.  They are fast. They have great footwork and great anticipation.  They often make amazing shots.  They reset so well. And they reach and make shots that seem impossible. So fun to watch!

 2. Some pros are much more personable than others.  My wife and I were able to sit right behind one of the player's benches on center court.  At this venue, the players' support people were to the side of the benches, so we had close access from right behind the bench to all the players who used that one bench. Hayden Patriquin and Chris Haworth were very nice and very personable.  Christian Alshon seemed way nicer than his reputation.  Anna Bright was not on the bench in front of us, but my wife got to talk to her just outside center court. She was also very nice. Brooke Buckner was nice but not very talkative.  Same for Kaitlyn Christian. I won't mention others who just didn't interact at all. 

 3.  Drilling matters.  Collin Johns not only plays pickleball but also coaches it.  In fact, he coaches Tina Pisnik.  Tina made a great run at this tournament both in mixed doubles and women's doubles.  Before the televised matches started on center court, Collin drilled with Tina for probably 45 minutes or so.  He gave her instructions and drilled with her on cross-court dinking as well as resets from slams at the kitchen line.  Over an over they drilled these same shots. Collin recommended slight changes in paddle position that seemed so minor but clearly mattered.  It was beyond next level!  And Tina credited her work with Collin leading up to the tournament for her success there.

 4.  Youth pickleball is alive and well.  This tournament also included a PPA Youth tournament.  And it was packed!  The majority of those matches were played on the side courts and the grandstand court. However, one of the 18 and under Youth matches was played on Center Court before the Pro matches started.  These "kids" were really good.  They played like pros. They had similar skills to the pros.  The match we saw was a men's doubles match. The "kids" who won it went on to win the bronze in their division.  And to top it off, they were only 16 years old playing in the 18 and under division despite there being a 16 and under division. No doubt we will see them again in the near future of pro pickleball. 

 5.  Overcoming handicaps.  One of the 16 year old young men on the bronze winning team mentioned above had a life-long handicap. He is right-handed.  His left arm has a congenital deformity. It is shorter than his right arm, and his left hand is small and not extremely functional.  In addition, his left hand rests at about a 45-60 degree fixed angle to the long axis of his forearm. And it did not appear to move at the wrist. However, he could still use it to steady the ball for serving.  And he could put his paddle under his left arm and hold it to his body while picking up the ball with his right hand between points.  It is remarkable how well he plays.  And I totally respect him, and his parents, for not letting his congenital handicap keep him from excelling in life and in pickleball!

 6.  The PPA is having some growing pains. The popularity of pickleball is well known.  But that has created some growing pains for the PPA.  Way more spectators are attending these events these days.  The center court stands at the Newport Beach venue were way too small.  There were not nearly enough seats for all the spectators who purchased tickets.  That created issues for spectators needing to leave their seats between matches.  The PPA officials told attendees they could not save seats while friends or family left the stands, even just to use the bathroom. You can imagine the problems that created.  Also, the venue only had one place to purchase food for lunch.  The line stretched a long way.  It took many people an hour or more to wait through the line, order food, and then wait to receive their food.  From the PPA's side, it is great the sport is growing so quickly.  From a fan's perspective, it will be nice when the venues have more seating capacity and more food options.  Other venues we have attended had food trucks available.  I don't know why this venue only had the one food option. I'm sure the PPA will solve these issues soon enough. 

If you haven't attended a PPA or MLP event, I strongly suggest that you do so. 

It is very enjoyable to watch such high level pickleball.

And even if you only get to attend one day, it is well worth it.

Finally, as I have said here before, the cost of admission is currently quite low compared to other pro sporting events.  And for that admission price, you get to watch 8-10 matches, or more, depending on the day you attend. 

So, make your plans now!!


Ben Holt
​CEO, Pickleball Living