The Pickle Pulse: Top 10 From the Weekend! PPA and APP

 

Pickleball Pulse Reverberates Across the Country

The PPA Indoor USA Championships and APP Sacramento Defy Winter's Chill with Sizzling Performances

The world of pickleball was electrified this past weekend as two premier events – the PPA Indoor USA Championships and the APP Sacramento – showcased the sport's burgeoning talent and unwavering spirit. From the frosty confines of Minnesota to the sun-drenched courts of California, the nation's top players delivered scintillating performances, leaving fans awestruck and craving more. As the dust settles, The Pickle Pulse co-hosts, Brian Green and Christie Barker, dissect the pivotal moments, highlighting the resilience, skill, and sheer excitement that defined these unforgettable tournaments.

1) 9:22, PPA Indoor USA Championships The PPA Indoor USA Championships in Minnesota served as a unique challenge for the sport's elite, as they traded balmy weather for the frosty confines of an indoor arena. Despite the unfamiliar conditions, the event showcased the unwavering determination and adaptability of the players, setting the stage for a weekend of exhilarating pickleball action.

2) 10:15, Top 10 From the Weekend Green and Barker unveiled their highly anticipated "Top 10" takeaways from the weekend, a tantalizing collection of the most pivotal moments, surprising upsets, and awe-inspiring performances that left an indelible mark on the pickleball universe.

3) 10:31, Who was not at the PPA Indoor USA Championships (10) Notably absent from the PPA Indoor USA Championships were several marquee names, including Ben Johns, Tyson McGuffin, and Etta Wright. This absence, however, paved the way for fresh faces and unique pairings to shine, injecting an air of unpredictability into the tournament and showcasing the depth of talent within the sport.

4) 12:33, Men's Singles (9) The men's singles competition at the PPA Indoor USA Championships was a spectacle in itself, with rising star Jack Sock continuing his remarkable ascent. Barker, an unabashed "fanboy," marveled at Sock's infectious enthusiasm and relentless determination, cementing his status as a future contender for the world's number one ranking.

5) 13:50, Fredrico Staksrud vs Connor Garnett In a gripping three-set battle, Fredrico Staksrud emerged victorious over Connor Garnett in the men's singles gold medal match. Staksrud's resilience and tenacity were on full display as he rallied from a game down to claim the coveted title, further solidifying his position as one of the sport's preeminent players.

6) 15:20, Cason Campbell The meteoric rise of Cason Campbell, a young prodigy from Mesa, continued to captivate the pickleball world. Despite his tender age, Campbell's blistering groundstrokes and court savvy propelled him to the quarterfinals, where he ultimately fell to Christian Alshon in a hard-fought three-set thriller, leaving no doubt that he is a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

7) 17:22, PPA and APP (Sacramento, CA) (8) While the PPA Indoor USA Championships unfolded in Minnesota, the APP Sacramento event in California simultaneously showcased the sport's depth and diversity. Remarkably, the APP tournament boasted a larger field of participants than its PPA counterpart, a testament to pickleball's growing popularity across the nation.

8) 18:04, The Johnson 5 played APP In a bold move that sent shockwaves through the pickleball community, the formidable Johnson family, including siblings JW and Jorja, opted to compete in the APP Sacramento event instead of the PPA Indoor USA Championships. Their presence at the APP tournament not only added star power but also served as a statement, showcasing their independence and unwillingness to be bound by traditional tour allegiances.

9) 19:57, APP Qualifiers Daria Walczak and Patrick Kawka (7) The APP Sacramento event witnessed a Cinderella story unfold as qualifiers Daria Walczak and Patrick Kawka defied the odds, battling their way through the mixed doubles draw to secure a spot in the gold medal match against the formidable Johnson siblings. Their remarkable run exemplified the unpredictable nature of pickleball and the ability of underdogs to triumph against all odds.

10) 21:35, APP History: 17 year old Jorja Johnson's 1st Triple Crown (6) In a historic moment, 17-year-old phenom Jorja Johnson etched her name into the annals of pickleball history, becoming the youngest player to secure a Triple Crown at the APP Sacramento event. Her dominance across all three disciplines – singles, doubles, and mixed doubles – not only showcased her prodigious talent but also served as an inspiration for aspiring players worldwide.

11) 23:48, PPA Pablo Tellez Men's Singles Bronze Medal Paddle Throw (5) The intensity of the PPA Indoor USA Championships reached a boiling point during the men's singles bronze medal match, as Pablo Tellez unleashed a flurry of frustration. In a moment of raw emotion, Tellez hurled his paddle, narrowly avoiding bystanders, a display that ignited debates over the boundaries of acceptable behavior on the pickleball court.

12) 27:14, PPA Parris Todd - The Comeback Girl (4) Parris Todd emerged as the comeback queen of the PPA Indoor USA Championships, staging multiple remarkable rallies that left spectators in awe. Down 9-1 in the third set against Lea Jansen and facing a similar deficit against Salome Devidze in the gold medal match, Todd's indomitable spirit and unwavering determination fueled her spirited comebacks, cementing her status as a true warrior on the court.

13) 31:08, PPA Unique Pairings (3) With several top players absent, the PPA Indoor USA Championships witnessed the emergence of unique pairings, injecting fresh excitement into the tournament. The unexpected duo of Christian Alshon and Thomas Wilson captured the men's doubles gold, while Colin Johns and Anna Bright's mixed doubles partnership raised eyebrows, showcasing the sport's ever-evolving dynamics.

14) 35:13, PPA MxD QF Collin Johns/anna Bright vs Lea Jansen/Hayden Patruquin (1hr 5m mins) (2) In a marathon mixed doubles quarterfinal match that spanned an astonishing one hour and 53 minutes, Colin Johns and Anna Bright locked horns with Lea Jansen and Hayden Patruquin. The epic encounter, marked by extended rallies and unwavering patience, captivated spectators and exemplified the sport's potential for high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat drama.

15) 37:29, PPA MxD Final Thomas Wilson/Vivienne David vs Federico Staksrud/Rachel Rohrabacher (1) The mixed doubles final at the PPA Indoor USA Championships served as the crowning jewel of the weekend, as the fan-favorite pairing of Thomas Wilson and Vivienne David claimed their first gold medal together. Their infectious joy and camaraderie on the court not only resulted in a well-deserved victory but also encapsulated the spirit of pickleball – a game that celebrates sportsmanship, friendship, and the sheer love of competition.

Summary: The Pickleball Pulse Reverberates Across the Country

This past weekend, the pickleball world was set ablaze as two premier events - the PPA Indoor USA Championships in Minnesota and the APP Sacramento tournament in California - showcased the sport's rapidly rising talent and insatiable spirit. Despite the frosty conditions of an indoor arena, the PPA Championships delivered exhilarating performances that left fans craving more.

At the heart of the action were fan-favorite hosts Brian Green and Christie Barker, who meticulously broke down the Top 10 moments that defined these unforgettable tournaments. Their enthusiastic dissection painted a vivid tapestry, capturing the resilience, skill, and pure excitement that reverberated across the nation.

While marquee names like Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin were absent from Minnesota, their void paved the way for fresh faces and unique pairings to steal the spotlight. The men's singles saw Jack Sock's meteoric rise continue, as the rising star's infectious enthusiasm and tenacity has him primed to contend for the world's #1 ranking. Meanwhile, rising teen phenom Cason Campbell turned heads with his blistering groundstrokes before falling in a grueling quarterfinal clash.

Unpredictability reigned supreme, as the formidable Johnson family - including siblings JW and 17-year-old triple crown winner Jorja - opted to compete at the APP Sacramento event instead of Minnesota. Their decision sent shockwaves through the pickleball community, a statement of independence that added star power to California.

Amidst the high-profile events, upsets and inspirational stories abounded. At APP Sacramento, unheralded qualifiers Daria Walczak and Patrick Kawka penned a Cinderella tale, battling to the mixed doubles final against the mighty Johnsons. Meanwhile, at the PPA Championships, Parris Todd cemented her "Comeback Queen" moniker with multiple heroic rallies from the brink of defeat.

Emotions ran high in Minnesota, where Pablo Tellez's intense bronze medal paddle throw ignited a debate over acceptable on-court behavior. The unique pairing of Christian Alshon and Thomas Wilson captured men's doubles gold, while an epic 1 hour and 53 minute mixed quarterfinal between Colin Johns/Anna Bright and Lea Jansen/Hayden Patruquin showcased pickleball's capacity for drama.

Fittingly, the storybook weekend culminated with Thomas Wilson and Vivienne David's mixed doubles triumph at the PPA Championships. Their joy captured the essence of pickleball - sportsmanship, friendship, and an unadulterated love for competition.

From the unforgiving chill of Minnesota to the sun-splashed courts of California, the Pickleball Pulse didn't just reverberate; it thundered across America, reminding all of the sport's electrifying growth and enduring appeal. With every rally and emotional crescendo, a simple truth emerged: pickleball's future burns brighter than ever before.

Time Code List

1. 9:22 PPA Indoor USA Championships
2. 10:15 Top 10 From the Weekend
3. Who was not at the PPA Indoor USA Championships (10)
4. 12:33 Men's Singles (9)
5. 13:50 Fredrico Staksrud vs Connor Garnett
6. 15:20 Cason Campbell
7. 17:22 PPA and APP (Sacramento, CA) (8)
8. 18:04 The Johnson 5 played APP
9. 19:57 APP Qualifiers Daria Walczak and Patrick Kawka (7)
10. 21:35 APP History: 17 year old Jorja Johnson's 1st Triple Crown (6)
11. 23:48 PPA Pablo Tellez Men's Singles Bronze Medal Paddle Throw (5)
12. 27:14 PPA Parris Todd - The Comeback Girl (4)
13. 31:08 PPA Unique Pairings (3)
14. 35:13 PPA MxD QF Collin Johns/anna Bright vs Lea Jansen/Hayden Patruquin (1hr 5m mins) (2)
15. 37:29 PPA MxD Final Thomas Wilson/Vivienne David vs Federico Staksrud/Rachel Rohrabacher (1)