Thrilling Victories and New Legends at the 2025 Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships
The 2025 Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships wrapped up with a dynamic showcase of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship at East Naples Community Park in Florida. Known as the world’s largest pickleball tournament, this year’s event drew thousands of spectators and featured elite athletes competing for gold across multiple pro divisions.
Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters Continue to Make History
Top-ranked pro Anna Leigh Waters, playing alongside her mother Leigh Waters, defended their Women’s Pro Doubles title with commanding performances. Their chemistry and athleticism dominated the court as they defeated Megan Fudge and Jillian Braverman in the finals. This win further cements their legacy as one of the sport’s most iconic duos.
Earlier in Mixed Doubles
At the 2025 Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida, tennis legend Andre Agassi made his professional pickleball debut alongside world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters. The duo secured a victory in their opening mixed pro doubles match but were eliminated in the Round of 16.
In their first match, Agassi and Waters faced Stevie Petropouleas and Tristan Dussault. After a competitive three-game battle, they emerged victorious with scores of 11-8, 9-11, 11-7 . However, their tournament run ended in the next round, where they were defeated by Trang Huynh-McClain and Len Yang, 7-11, 11-4, 11-7 .
Despite the early exit, Agassi expressed enthusiasm about his experience, stating, “Tennis was relief, pickleball is joy, this is absolute joy” . Waters, who also competed in the women’s doubles event with her mother Leigh Waters, continued to showcase her dominance in the sport.
Megan Fudge’s Standout Performance
Megan Fudge made a bold attempt to claim three gold medals this year—and came remarkably close. She triumphed in the Women’s Pro Singles final, defeating Bobbi Oshiro in straight sets, 11-4, 11-7. Fudge also partnered with Jack Munro to win the Mixed Pro Doubles title, overcoming Riley Bohnert and Richard Livornese.
However, her triple-gold bid was halted in the Women’s Pro Doubles final, where she and Jillian Braverman fell to the reigning champions—Leigh Waters and her daughter, Anna Leigh Waters. The mother-daughter duo successfully defended their 2024 title with another dominant showing.
Munro and Yang Capture Men’s Doubles Gold in Dramatic Fashion
Jack Munro and Len Yang, both just 21, claimed the Men’s Pro Doubles title at the 2025 Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships with a hard-fought win over Ryler DeHeart and Richard Livornese. After a tight 14-12 first set, the rising stars closed out the match 11-5 in the second.
Yang, relatively new to the pro scene, credited Munro for giving him the opportunity. “Jack took a chance on me,” Yang said. “I owe him a lot.”
Their semifinal clash was even more intense, going to three sets against Armaan Bhatia and Harsh Mehta. Despite the final loss, Livornese praised DeHeart’s court vision, saying, “It always helps when your partner’s eyes are unreal.”
Chris Hayworth Claims First U.S. Open Men’s Singles Title
Chris Hayworth dominated the Men’s Pro Singles final, defeating Grayson Goldin 11-3, 11-6 to earn his first U.S. Open gold. After last year’s finals loss, Hayworth returned with a sharper, more complete game—controlling the pace and capitalizing on Goldin’s mistakes.
“We know each other well,” Hayworth said of Goldin, his frequent opponent and doubles partner. “I wasn’t going to play a bad match again—I wanted to put on a show.”
Growing Popularity and Community Impact
The U.S. Open continues to serve as a major milestone for pickleball’s rapid growth, attracting players from all age groups and countries. The tournament not only provides high-level competition but also helps promote community engagement and wellness through sport.
For more on match recaps and player highlights, visit the original article on Naples Daily News.
