4月13日（月）〜19日（日）、カリフォルニア州サクラメントのLife Time ArdenでFasenra Sacramento Open presented by Zimmer Biomethas at last kicked off. This tournament, with over 900 pro and amateur participants combined, is the second-to-last major tournament before the PPA Finals in May, and the winner is awarded 1,000 points — a hugely important haul.
This tournament's key point: who locks up a Finals berth
今シーズン最大の焦点のひとつがthe battle for PPA Finals spots. In men's singles, Jack Sock is barely holding onto 8th place, and depending on this tournament's results the standings could flip. In women's singles, Rachel Rohrabacher is fighting Paris Todd for the 16th spot by just 50 points, so every single match is do-or-die.
Related articles:The latest on the PPA Finals qualifying race
Ben Johns、11シードで出場
今大会で注目される存在がBen Johnsだ。かつてのNo.1が11シードでの出場となった。PPA公式が「ツアー史上最もタレントのある11シード」と評するほどの実力者で、数学的にはすでにシングルス出場権を失っているが、今大会での上位進出を目指していることは間違いない。
ドロー結果次第では、Ben Johnsと上位シードの早期対戦も考えられ、興味深い展開が期待される。
Notable absentees and the balance of power in each draw
This tournament hasAnna Leigh Waters、Anna Bright、Hayden Patriquin、Christian Alshonfour key players are absent. This is a factor that greatly changes the balance of power in each draw.
- Women's singles:Kate Fahey and Kaitlyn Christian are the top seeds. Christian just pulled off a dramatic comeback at the Hanoi tournament, winning 11-9 after trailing 4-9, and she's riding the momentum.
- Men's singles:Chris Haworth earned his first top seed. Can he deliver results at a career-milestone tournament?
- Mixed doubles:The Johnson siblings are top seeds. Also worth watching is the pair of Catherine Parenteau & Max Freeman (9 seed), teaming up for the first time as new MLP teammates.
アマチュアにとっても重要な大会
Sacramento Openはプロだけの大会ではない。900人超が参加するということは、全米各地からアマチュアプレーヤーも集まっているということ。プロの試合を生観戦しながら自分のレベルでも大会に出られるPPAツアーのイベントは、ピックルボールを始めたばかりの人にとって最高の「現場体験」の場となっている。
Tied in with this year's MLP (Major League Pickleball), performance at this tournament may also affect each player's MLP evaluation.
Related articles:MLP 2026 group assignments announced
FAQ
Q. Where will the Sacramento Open be live-streamed?
A. A live stream is planned on the PPA Tour's official YouTube and ESPN-affiliated outlets. Check the schedule on the official PPA Tour website.
Q. Can't Ben Johns make the PPA Finals?
A. He has mathematically lost the men's singles berth, but the doubles and mixed doubles spots are counted separately. Depending on future tournaments, competing in the Finals in all events is still possible.
Q. What tournaments come after the Sacramento Open?
A. From the week after this tournament, the final tuning phase toward the PPA Finals begins at last. Each player's points battle is expected to heat up even further.
