What’s the Score?
The PPA Daytona Beach Open has delivered a stunning mix of nostalgia and new blood this week. While tennis Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl proved that competitive fire has no expiration date by capturing gold in the mixed doubles division, the professional brackets were rocked by significant upsets. The biggest shock came in men’s doubles, where the seventh-seeded duo of Riley Newman and Noe Khlif toppled the tournament favorites, Andrei Daescu and Gabe Tardio, in a three-game thriller.
Hit it deeper!
At 65 years old, Ivan Lendl continues to treat pickleball not as a retirement hobby, but as a discipline. Partnering with Jean Halahan, the former World No. 1 tennis player secured the gold medal in mixed doubles. Lendl, who lives in Vero Beach, has fully immersed himself in the sport, applying the same legendary work ethic that won him eight Grand Slam titles. “I enjoy winning… But I get my enjoyment from getting better,” Lendl said, revealing that he now tailors his diet and agility training specifically for pickleball. He noted that while he plays against the same group of friends in Vero Beach, he measures his success by the increasing quality of his shots and decision-making.
While Lendl dominated the senior circuit, chaos reigned in the pro divisions. In the men’s doubles quarterfinals, Riley Newman and Noe Khlif pulled off a dramatic comeback against top seeds Andrei Daescu and Gabe Tardio. After dropping the first game 6-11, Newman and Khlif faced a match point in the second game. They managed to save it, winning the game 13-11, and then surged to a 9-2 lead in the decider. Despite a late rally by the favorites to close the gap to 9-10, Khlif ended the match with a decisive forehand winner. “I felt like I hadn’t hit that shot all match… when I saw the opportunity, I knew it was time to go for it,” Khlif said.
The theme of disruption continued in the women’s doubles draw, where “new” was the keyword. Three of the four teams advancing to the semifinals were first-time partnerships. Top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson, playing together for the first time, overcame a slow start and a 2-6 deficit in game one to defeat Jessie Irvine and Mari Humberg. Waters admitted they were “short on confidence” initially but found their rhythm to win 11-6, 11-2. Elsewhere, Rachel Rohrabacher and Etta Tuionetoa dominated their quarterfinal 11-1, 11-4. Tuionetoa credited the chemistry to Rohrabacher’s trust: “Rachel just let me loose out there and was encouraging me to play big”.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Daytona Beach Open is highlighting a critical evolution in professional pickleball: the depth of talent is deepening, and the “locks” are no longer safe. Lendl’s success serves as a reminder that tactical mastery and mental fortitude transfer across racquet sports, regardless of age.
However, the Newman/Khlif upset is the real headline for the pro tour—it proves that defensive resilience and belief can dismantle even the most dominant offensive teams. Furthermore, the immediate success of new female partnerships suggests that the women’s game is becoming more versatile, with players capable of adapting to new teammates instantly. This fluidity makes the tour more exciting, as team chemistry becomes a variable that can change week to week.
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
View All Articles →
