Relatives dominate Skechers Pickleball championships

Skechers Brand Ambassador Sugar Ray Leonard poses with Skechers-sponsored pickleball player Catherine Parenteau on the court Aug. 13 at Riviera Country Club. Photo courtesy Skechers

Ben Johns, 23, lived up to his reputation as pickleball’s G.O.A.T. by winning the Skechers Invitational Summer Championships men’s singles and doubles divisions two weekends ago at the Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades.

Johns teamed with brother Collin in the doubles division. Anna-Leigh Waters achieved a similar accomplishment by winning the women’s singles, and then the women’s doubles with daughter Leigh Waters. Matt Wright and Lucy Kovaloval won the mixed doubles. 

The tournament was a first for Skechers as the title sponsor of a professional sporting event. It was also the first nationally televised professional pickleball tournament.

Skechers-sponsored players Catherine Parenteau and Tyson McGuffin were among the 24 competitors. 

Ten percent of ticket sales went to the South Bay Friendship Foundation, whose members served as ball boys and ball girls, and greeted spectators as they entered the gates. 

The Professional Pickleball Association tour was founded in 2018. ER

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