Good morning pickleballers!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend with as much court time as possible.

Some of you, I am sure, will have spent it reading the first issue of the new World Pickleball Magazine - just a little something we have launched here at PKLBull. 80-pages pickleball packed full of interviews, amazing photography, snippets of news from all over the world and more.

It's a POACH at just £5 an issue and you can get yours by clicking the image below.

My weekend was spent in the south of England, commentating and playing at the Franklin Pickleball Event in Dorset, the first of many Franklin Tour Events in 2025.

There was some excellent action on the show court - Ed Hares and Tom Turney taking gold in the men's 4.5+ division, Maisie Wise and Emily Jelly doing the same in the women's on Saturday. Sunday saw Hares and Jelly take gold in the 4.5+ mixed and Jacob Holloway and Charlotte Pressley gold in the 4.0 division. Another sterling shift on the mic by Nick Hobbis - joined by Tim Spurway for his commentary debut.

But what did we miss over the last few days? Today's PKLBulletin will tell you everything you need to know.

Fashion Police on the Pickleball Court: Eugenie Bouchard critiques Jack Sock's wardrobe after Tucson Open

Eugenie Bouchard made waves at the PPA Tour’s Tucson Open, not just for her pickleball skills but also for her keen eye for on-court fashion. While she partnered with former ATP star Jack Sock in mixed doubles, she couldn't resist playfully critiquing his wardrobe choices.

Bouchard, known for her stylish presence, even when facing a tough singles campaign against Chao Yi Wang, emphasized that looking good on the court is as important as playing well. Despite a loss in the mixed doubles match against Lindsey Newman and Ivan Jakovljevic, Bouchard didn't miss the opportunity to joke about Sock's attire.

"Jack Sock needs to work on his outfits…" Bouchard wrote, according to EssentiallySports.

Before the tournament, Bouchard and Sock discussed their partnership, with Sock anticipating a fun experience. Reflecting on their matching all-white outfits, reminiscent of Wimbledon, Bouchard quipped, "He asked me, obviously,". While they aimed to "do some damage" on the court, Bouchard's fashion commentary added a unique twist to their partnership, proving that style points count, even in pickleball.

Alshon and Daescu Deliver Upset, Clinch Men's Doubles Title in Tucson

Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu emerged victorious at the PPA Tour in Tucson, securing their first men’s doubles title as a team with a compelling win over No. 2 seeds JW Johnson and Gabe Tardio. The duo, seeded fourth, completed a three-game sweep with scores of 13-11, 11-2, and 11-6.

The final match wasn't without its challenges. Alshon and Daescu faced a game point in the opening set before rallying to win three consecutive points and clinch the first game. This initial success fueled their confidence, leading to more comfortable wins in the subsequent games, ultimately sealing their victory.

"I think we’re competing really well together, and this match showed that," Daescu said, highlighting their teamwork.

Notably, Alshon had a busy day, competing in three finals, including mixed doubles and men’s singles. Daescu expressed his desire to capitalize on their opportunity, as Alshon aimed for additional gold in the men’s singles final against Hunter Johnson. Earlier in the tournament, Alshon and Daescu avenged their lone loss as a team, which occurred at the PPA Masters against Ben Johns and Collin Johns, by defeating Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin in the semi-finals.

Waters and Parenteau Dominate, Secure Women's Doubles Gold with Decisive Victory

Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau showcased a commanding performance in the women’s doubles final at the PPA Tour in Tucson, clinching the gold with an 11-0, 11-2, 11-4 victory over Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher. This win might be remembered as one of their most dominant performances as a team.

The match, broadcast nationally on ESPN2, saw Waters and Parenteau scoring 33 of the 39 total points. Despite the history of close matches between these teams, Waters and Parenteau were clearly superior on this occasion. Parenteau praised Waters' exceptional play, noting her ability to make incredible shots and consistently bring energy to the court.

"That girl can do anything on the court,” she said of her partner.

During the broadcast, 18-year-old Waters encouraged young girls watching to pursue their passions, reflecting on her own journey in pickleball since the age of ten. In the bronze medal match, Tyra Black and Parris Todd defeated Meghan Dizon and Etta Tuionetoa with an 11-2, 11-4 score.

Hunter Johnson Claims Men's Singles Gold, Celebrates Super Bowl Commercial Debut

Hunter Johnson had a Super Bowl Sunday to remember, securing the men’s singles gold at the Proton Tucson Open and celebrating the debut of a Super Bowl commercial featuring himself, Parris Todd, Jaume Martinez Vich, and Emily Cederquist. Johnson's victory came after an 11-7, 11-2 win over Christian Alshon.

Johnson attributed his win to a solid game plan and effective execution, acknowledging Alshon's prowess as a competitor. His powerful topspin drives from the baseline put Alshon under pressure, forcing errors that ultimately contributed to Johnson's victory.

"Christian’s a great player, and he proved it today,” Johnson said.

Adding to the excitement, Johnson is featured in a Michelob ULTRA commercial, which he sees as a sign of pickleball's growing prominence. "Pickleball is the sport of the future,” he affirmed, noting his excitement to showcase the sport on a grand stage. Earlier in the day, Johnson’s girlfriend, Parris Todd, also won her first PPA title since 2022. In the bronze medal match, Dylan Frazier defeated Jack Sock with scores of 11-7, 11-13, 11-9.

Todd's Triumph: Parris Todd Ends Title Drought with Victory in Tucson

Parris Todd ended her title drought with a significant win at the PPA Tour in Tucson, claiming the women’s singles title after defeating top-seeded Kaitlyn Christian 11-2, 11-3. This victory marks Todd's first PPA gold medal since 2022 when she won the title at the Orange County Cup against Anna Leigh Waters.

Todd credited her boyfriend and training partner, Hunter Johnson, for her success. According to Todd, training with Johnson, who hits the ball with great force, prepared her to face other female players, improving her timing and overall confidence. "Honestly when I’m training with him and then going to play against girls, I never feel like the ball is too big because Hunter hits the ball so hard," she explained.

In the match, Todd showcased her skill with well-executed passing shots, which proved effective against Christian's frequent attempts to approach the net. Todd also competed in the women’s doubles bronze medal match alongside Tyra Black against Meghan Dizon and Etta Tuionetoa. Meanwhile, in the women’s singles bronze medal match, Kate Fahey defeated Brooke Buckner 11-7, 11-1. 

Waters and Johns Continue Reign, Capture Mixed Doubles Crown in Tucson

Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns continued their dominant run, securing yet another mixed doubles title at the PPA Tour in Tucson. The top-seeded duo defeated Tyra Black and Christian Alshon in a clinical performance, with scores of 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.

This victory adds to Johns' impressive record, marking his 60th career PPA mixed doubles title, with 44 of those won alongside Waters. The match was a stark contrast to their previous encounter with Black and Alshon in the PPA Masters semifinals, where Waters and Johns narrowly avoided defeat. This time, they maintained control, utilizing around-the-post shots (ATPs) to gain an advantage in cross-court dink rallies.

Waters noted her improved ATP shots, attributing the progress to practice with her mother. "I honestly don’t think I could hit great ATPs like a month ago, and my mom and I decided to work on it," Waters said. She also acknowledged Johns' support, knowing he would cover the middle of the court when she went wide for the ATP. Johns emphasized the importance of his support system, given the demanding tournament schedule. 

ATP Turns into Arguments: Drama Flares as Devilliers and Hewett Clash Over Line Call

Jay Devilliers and Rafa Hewett engaged in a heated dispute over a line call during their men’s doubles match at the Proton Tucson Open, adding spice to the competition. The incident occurred during the quarterfinal match between Devilliers/Patrick Smith and Noe Khlif/Hewett when Devilliers and Smith were leading 10-8.

Devilliers hit an around-the-post shot (ATP) that appeared to be in, but Hewett insisted it was out, sparking a series of arguments. The referee, however, sided with Devilliers, stating, "Guys, that ball was good,". Hewett continued to argue, questioning the referee's viewpoint and claiming he saw the ball bounce out of bounds.

Following the disagreement, Hewett yelled "BALL DON'T LIE!" in the direction of the referee, expressing his displeasure with the call. Devilliers responded with a Nasty Nelson attempt, but missed his serve. Despite the tension, Khlif and Hewett regrouped during a timeout and won the first game 12-10, fighting off eight game points. They then dominated the second game 11-1, ultimately winning the match and advancing to the semifinals.

Freeman Drops Johns: PPA Gold Card Rule Forces Partner Change for Cape Coral Open

Max Freeman will not be partnering with Ben Johns in the upcoming PPA Cape Coral Open due to the PPA's Gold Card rule. This rule mandates that players exclusively associated with the United Pickleball Association (UPA) receive a Gold Card status.

The Dink reported that Freeman isn't in the "cool kids club" because he isn't a Gold Card member. The PPA aims for qualifying rounds to feature actual qualifying players rather than seasoned pros who aren't contracted.

According to the PPA Tour website, players in the top 50 PPA points cannot play qualifiers. Unsigned players must either not participate in the PPA Tour, compete in the PPA Challenger Series, or sign an exclusive contract with the UPA. Despite having partnerships lined up with top players, the contract offer from UPA wasn't lucrative enough for Freeman to sign.

Freeman is planning to participate in the APP Tour in 2025 and recently competed in the World Pickleball League in India for the Hyderabad Super Stars. Consequently, Ben Johns will need to find a different partner for the PPA Cape Coral Open.

Pickleball Goes to Rome: European Team Championships Set for Historic Foro Italico

The European Pickleball Federation has announced that the 2025 European Pickleball Team Championships will be held at the Foro Italico Sports Complex in Rome, Italy, from September 18 – 21, 2025.

The historic Foro Italico, a renowned sports venue, will host the event, marking a significant moment for pickleball in Europe. The announcement promises further details to be sent to all members soon, building anticipation for what is expected to be a "FANTASTIC event".

This championship adds to a growing list of international pickleball events scheduled for 2025, including the Pickleball English Open in August and the Nationals Singles Tournament in England in May. These events highlight the increasing popularity and global expansion of pickleball.

English Open Announces Dates for 2025

Pickleball England has officially announced the dates for the Pickleball English Open in 2025, scheduling the event for August 6th - 10th.

Enthusiasts across England and beyond are invited to mark their calendars and prepare for the tournament. The announcement serves as a save-the-date, with further details expected to follow.

In addition to the English Open, Pickleball England has also announced the dates for the Nationals Singles Tournament, which is scheduled for May 3rd and 4th. The venue for the National Singles Tournament is still to be confirmed.