Charlotte Ellam starred at a record-breaking Skechers Pickleball English OPEN just a year on from discovering the sport on holiday.
Sales director Ellam, 51, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.
With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.
“I’ve just been surprised by the scale of the English OPEN, it’s absolutely massive,” said Stourport's Ellam.
Igniting a passion for pickleball 🚒
— Pickleball England (@PickleballEng) August 9, 2024
It was fantastic to welcome @shopsfire's Telford Central Fire Station crew to the #SkechersEnglishOPEN yesterday and offer a pickleball taster session! 👏#SkechersEnglishOPEN | #EnglishOPEN2024 pic.twitter.com/XHt6Rsrmlm
“I think people could prepare you and explain to you what it’s going to be like, but until you come here and see it, and even the show courts as well, and watch the standard of pickleball, it makes me love it even more.
“I’ve been telling lots and lots of people about pickleball, especially at the tennis club, and there’s another friend of mine who’s just as keen.”
This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.
A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.
“I went on holiday last May with a load of tennis friends and they had two pickleball courts,” added Ellam.
“I’d never played it before, we’d planned to go and just play tennis, but I picked up a paddle and I’ve loved it ever since.
“This is my first experience of the English Open and the atmosphere is amazing – I’ve never seen so many pickleball courts in one place.
“Everybody is super friendly, it’s really well organised, so I’ve been loving it.”
Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org
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