The USA Indoor Championships did not disappoint this past weekend in Lakeville, Minnesota.
This event was unique in that many of the top pros were missing. At least 10 of the top 30 pros in the world took this tournament off, including Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. This made for a really fun weekend with some new partnerships that we may see again.
There were so many cool moments at the USA Indoor Championships, as well as so many cool shots. Here are my top five favorite moments of the weekend:
Top Five Moments from the USA Indoor Championships
- Two ATPs from Alex Neumann and then Lohani wins the point with Neumann completely off the court
😱 Alex Neumann & Aanik Lohani were ELECTRIC here!!⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/DVXWgM5Uqc
— Carvana PPA Tour (@PPAtour) March 9, 2024
- It wouldn't be a weekend of pro pickleball without Allyce Jones diving on the floor for a ball
UNBELIEVABLE defensive effort from @AllyceJones 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DLr6q2DJti
— Carvana PPA Tour (@PPAtour) March 9, 2024
- Collin Johns wasn't planning on playing in Minnesota, but got partnered with Matt Wright and Anna Bright, so he decided to play. His melt down reaction to the net cord winner in this video is hilarious ...
- ATPs are very regular occurrences at the pro level, but running around your backhand for a FOREHAND ATP on the left? Jack Sock is showing us new shots pretty much every weekend now
- A total of 16 volleys in a row on this point with Dave Fleming's favorite saying, "The Floor is Lava"
Top Five Takeaways from the USA Indoor Championships
5. Salome Devidze Still Has It
Not only did Devidze beat Parris Todd in the final to win Gold, she also beat Catherine Parenteau for a second straight time. The 38-year-old is definitely not as quick as some of her counterparts, but she makes up for that with incredibly accurate passing shots. She has both a forehand and two-handed backhand that are deadly.
Devidze, originally from Georgia (the country, not the state), grew up playing tennis and had a lot of success as a professional tennis player. She became the youngest player to win a Davis/Fed Cup match at the age of 13 years and 270 days. Salome was ranked as high as 254 in the world in singles tennis and 250 in doubles.
In her celebration speech, Salome said it had been 11 months since her last PPA Gold and she is hoping it isn't that long between this one and her next. It looks like her skill, combined with her mental toughness, could make that happen.
4. The Use of Eye Protection Is Increasing Among Pros
Anna Bright, Collin Johns, Tina Pisnik, Rachel Rohrabacher, Andrea Koop, and the list is going to keep growing. I love to see the pros starting to use eye protection more and more. The game is getting faster every day with paddle technology.
There are many different forms of eye protection for pickleball. There are sports goggles, sunglasses, prescription glasses, glass frames with no lenses, etc. Eye protection seems to be growing in popularity among the pros and recreational players.
The Dink Media Team
3. Thomas Wilson Has Become a Top 5 Guy at the USA Indoor Championships
Less than a year ago everyone was worried about Wilson and his heart. His heart started racing multiple times while he was playing and doctors couldn't figure out what was happening. He met Dr. Horton at St. David's Medical Center and had a procedure to fix his heart and was back playing in a few days.
Since then, Wilson has been on the rise. He has four medals in men's doubles and six medals with his mixed doubles partner, Vivienne David, over the past eight months. He also picked up Riley Newman as a regular men's doubles partner and they have been on the rise.
Without Newman in Minnesota, Wilson played great with Christian Alshon. Thomas won two gold medals at the USA Indoor Championships this weekend and is a force to be reckoned with.
2. Tina Pisnik Is an Underrated Player
Tina Pisnik got onto the scene last year, after the BLQK Black Bears drafted her in the MLP Challenger Draft for season 2. The former tennis star is regularly playing with Dekel Bar and hasn't missed the quarterfinals with him this year. Last year at TOC, Pisnik and Pat Smith got a silver medal.
Tina's work in women's doubles may be even better than her doubles success. This year, Tina and Jorja Johnson finished fifth at The Masters. She followed that up with an eighth place finish at Desert Ridge with Andrea Koop.
At the Mesa Open, Tina and Jessie Irvine got another eighth place finish. This past weekend, Koop and Pisnik fought hard for a fourth place finish in Minnesota.
In the four tour stops this season, Pisnik hasn't missed the quarterfinals in any of her eight events. Her stock is clearly on the rise.
1. Having Some Top Pros Take an Event Off at the USA Indoor Championships Is a Good Thing
The NBA struggles with this topic in a real way. They have implemented rules against players sitting out of games too much for "rest." Fans miss out on the biggest stars otherwise.
I think the opposite is true in indoor pickleball. Not having some of the top players in Minnesota allowed for new partnerships, new winners, and some really great storylines.
Having new winners and new faces on Championship Sunday allows for fans to get to know more players, which will only continue to grow the sport.
FIVE different pros got two medals this weekend at the USA Indoor Championships:
- Connor Garnett
- Rachel Rohrabacher
- Thomas Wilson
- Federico Staksrud
- Christian Alshon
Final Results from the Weekend
Here are the complete results from the USA Indoor Championships:
Women's Singles Salome Devidze Parris Todd Catherine Parenteau
Women's Doubles Rachel Rohrabacher & Anna Bright Lucy Kovalova & Callie Smith Hurricane Tyra Black & Parris Todd
Men's Doubles Thomas Wilson & Christian Alshon Tyler Loong & Connor Garnett Hayden Patriquin & Callan Dawson
Men's Singles Federico Staksrud Connor Garnett Christian Alshon
Mixed Doubles Thomas Wilson & Vivienne David Federico Staksrud & Rachel Rohrabacher Lea Jansen & Hayden Patriquin
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Won the Women's Singles at the USA Indoor Championships?
Salome Devidze claimed the women's singles gold medal at the USA Indoor Championships, defeating Parris Todd in the final. It was her first PPA gold in 11 months, and she also beat Catherine Parenteau for the second consecutive time.
Why Were Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters Not at the USA Indoor Championships?
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters were among at least 10 of the top 30 pros who chose to skip this pro pickleball tournament. Their absence created space for new partnerships and fresh storylines to take center stage on Championship Sunday.
How Has Thomas Wilson Developed as a Pro Pickleball Player Before This Event?
Wilson underwent a heart procedure less than a year before his double-gold weekend at this indoor pickleball event and returned to competition within days. He has since collected multiple medals in both men's and mixed doubles, cementing himself as a legitimate top-5 force in the sport.
Is Eye Protection Becoming More Common at the Pro Level?
Eyewear is increasingly common among PPA Tour pros as faster paddle technology continues to raise ball speeds on the court. Players like Anna Bright, Collin Johns, and Tina Pisnik have all been spotted competing with various forms of eye protection.
What Makes the PPA Indoor National Championships Special for Pickleball Fans?
The PPA Indoor National Championships gives fans a chance to see emerging players rise to the occasion whenever top names sit out for rest. New storylines, new champions, and unexpected partnerships are exactly what helps grow the sport and build a deeper, more engaged fanbase.
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