Product & Member Login

Reflecting on US Open Pickleball Championship 2017

I am still in Naples for a few more days recovering from all of the excitement of the US  Open Pickleball Championship.  I need to give my body a chance to recover and then get ready for a busy travel month … heading to Georgia, the Carolinas and Delaware.

us open pickleball
The US Open is Unique

The US Open is not like any other pickleball tournament. One difference is the single elimination format, i.e. not allowing players to come up through the back draw.  I think several Gold medalists from major tournaments this year came back to win. It was interesting to look through all the brackets to see some of the outcomes.
What I like most about the event, however, is the fans.  Many of us agree it really is all about entertaining the people that come to watch.  This tournament has many more spectators, especially people that only come to watch, than other events.  The excitement they generate is what really makes this event.
They added a canopy over the main court which made it more comfortable for the spectators watching matches on that court.  As a player, I found it more difficult to see the ball. It also created a wind tunnel effect on what was already a pretty windy day.  I think the organizers are looking for ways to improve this next year.

Most Fun Match

The match I played with Daniel Moore on that court was both the most competitive and fun match I have been involved in.  Daniel and I played two players we really hadn’t played before. It was fun to come up against a new team and it will be I can’t wait to see how well they do in the coming year! It was a great experience and we all had incredible points throughout.
The Mixed Pro match was a great experience! There were incredible points on both sides.  During the third game, we were at 10-10 for I don’t know how long.  At times you could hear a pin drop…at other times the spectators erupted in cheers and applause!  And trust me, we enjoyed it every bit as much as the fans.

Head Pickleball

A big focus for me during the US Open was the announcement of Head Pickleball.  I had a new us open paddle from them for the first time.  If you are not familiar with Head, they are one of the biggest names in tennis, racquetball, and skiing.  Now they will have offer a full line of products for pickleball.  Of course, I have worn their court shoes for many years and you probably noticed me carrying a Head bag as well.  But during the US Open, they had demo paddles for players to try out during the week.  It was a sneak peak of what will be available in stores all over the world by September.
I am so excited about the new technology and resources a company like Head can bring to our sport everywhere.  I am very happy to partner with them and do my part.  At the US Open Head dealers were on hand to get introduced to the world of pickleball.  In the next few months, you will see more and more from them.  I can’t wait for all of you to get a chance to try these amazing paddles.

Why So Defensive - Tip

Why So Defensive? Fix Your Footwork & Weight Transfer

Too many players find themselves stuck in defensive positions way more than they need to be—and most of the time, it’s not because of bad hands or slow reactions. The real problem? Positioning and weight transfer. If you’re getting caught in the midcourt, struggling to move efficiently, or feeling like

Read More »
Power Source - Drill

Mastering Weight Transfer for Powerful Volleys

One of the most overlooked aspects of a strong volley is weight transfer. If you’re not engaging your lower body properly, you’re missing out on power, control, and consistency. That’s why I love this drill—it helps you learn how to shift your weight efficiently through the ball, improving both your

Read More »
Turning Your Toes - Mini Lesson

Turning Your Toes Is the Key to Better Court Movement

Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Today, I want to talk about something that could transform your movement on the pickleball court: turning your toes. It’s such a simple adjustment, but it has a huge impact on your speed, balance, power, and even injury prevention. Let’s break it down. Why Turning

Read More »
Finding Your Forward Movement - Mini Lesson

Finding Your Forward Movement

Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Let’s talk about something that drives me absolutely insane: the obsession with shuffling on the court. Shuffling side to side might seem like the right way to move, but it’s actually holding you back. Let me explain why—and show you a better way to cover

Read More »

Sign Up For My
FREE Email Tips!

In One Click...
Subscribe To My Channel!

Recent Posts