I was at the Minto US Pickleball Open last week, April 15th to April 22nd, 2023, in Naples, Florida. It is one of the biggest events in the world of pickleball, drawing players and fans from clubs around the world.
The event is organized and sponsored by Minto Communities, a well-known Canadian real estate developer who has many active adult communities in Florida. The event started in 2016. The tournament took place at the East Naples Community Park, which features over 60 pickleball courts.
The Minto US Pickleball Open features a wide range of events, including men's and women's doubles, mixed doubles, wheelchair doubles, and singles. There are also age-specific events, with divisions for players over 50, 60, and 70 years of age. The tournament attracts some of the top pickleball players in the world, including professionals like Simone Jardim, Parris Todd, Hunter Johnson, and Kyle Yates, who were also big winners at this year’s event. See results below.
This event is an amateur player's heaven! With the beautiful weather, vast sea of categories, delicious food options, and plentiful accommodations - I can see why this tournament attracted over 30,000 players and spectators. It was not surprising to see people of all ages there. This year's tournament also features a very significant vendor village, where attendees can purchase pickleball equipment and merchandise. I believe this tournament will remain the best amateur tournament for many years to come. I don’t see any other club taking over from East Naples Community Park in hosting… Unless the 130 court project in Reno comes to fruition… We’ll see.
The Minto US Open is a testament to the growing popularity of the sport and a showcase for the skill and athleticism of its top players. In addition to the US Open, there are now pickleball tournaments held around the world, including in Europe, Asia, Australia, and even Toronto.
I hope to see you at a tournament soon.