- Photos by Jodi Pree | Simone Jardim and Kyle Yates are all smiles after winning gold.
As if winning the Triple Crown in 2017 weren’t impressive enough, Simone Jardim goes and does it again!
At the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, Naples resident, Simone Jardim won gold in each Pro level event: Women’s Pro Singles, Mixed Doubles Pro with Kyle Yates, and Women’s Pro Doubles with Corrine Carr. Of all pickleball enthusiasts, a very small minority make up the number of players who medal in tournaments. Being a consecutive Triple Crown Winner in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships is an exclusive club few will ever attain. This year, Simone was joined by Scott Moore as a 2018 Triple Crown Winner. Scott Moore attained gold medals in each Senior Pro level event: Men’s Senior Pro Singles, Senior Mixed Doubles Pro with Lisa Naumu, and Men’s Senior Pro Doubles with Steve Cole.
In total, 4,300 matches were played by a pool of 2,000 competitors. Although 855 medals were awarded to the victors, for many, the challenge of competing, watching world-class pickleball, enjoying camaraderie with fellow players, and attending the biggest pickleball party in the world made the 2018 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships an unforgettable experience.
For more information on tournament results and upcoming pickleball tournaments, go to: www.pickleballtournaments.com.
- Simone Jardim wins the Triple Crown, again!
- Kyle Yates leaps around the kitchen to hit around the post for a winner.
- Marco medal winners, Jim George, Mae Brown and Micki Petersen
- Jodi Elliott & Cindy O’Leary stand courtside cheering on Michael O’Leary & Casey Assad
- Chris Evon with Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala
- U.S. Open Pickleball Championships Founders Terri Graham and Chris Evon
- Men’s Pro Gold Medal Winners, Matt Wright and Kyle Yates
- Julie Scott, mother of Kyle Yates, receives a hug following the Men’s Pro Gold Medal Match.
- Lucy Kovalova crushes a forehand.
- Marco Islanders, Burt and Beverly Fineberg stop by the Open.
- From left: Vincent, Marissa and Evan Russo. Vincent was the youngest player to compete.
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