Observe professional athletes compete to etch their names in the history books of the fastest growing sport in America. Experience the excitement and the energy from players of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels as they vie for gold medals and prize money.
This event features a variety of tournaments, including a celebrity pro-am. During the event, existing tennis courts will be converted to pickleball courts via tape lines and temporary netting.
What is Pickleball?
A mash-up of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, pickleball is played using a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It is low-impact, easy to learn and accessible to people of all ages. It’s also fast-paced and competitive, a great workout for your heart and lungs and can increase your balance and agility.
This Boca Raton pickleball tournament was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington. They were unable to find any badminton equipment, so they improvised with a wiffle ball, a few ping-pong paddles and a small court. The rules were later changed to make the game more family-friendly and it took off during the pandemic of 2022, when it gave cooped-up quarantiners a way to get outdoors and socialize.
Players keep score by hitting the ball into their opponent’s service court. A serve must hit the front wall of the service zone, but not the ceiling or floor. The ball can bounce in or out of the court, but if it hits the net during a serve, that’s called a fault and the other team gets to serve. Like in tennis, top servers can hit aces and unreturnable serves. In addition to being a fun and challenging sport, pickleball is a very social one. It’s not uncommon to see groups of pickleball players gathering at BBQs or ‘dink-and-drink' events after their games.
What is the Boca Raton Pickleball Masters?
The Boca Raton Pickleball Masters is an exhilarating tournament showcasing the world’s top men and women pickleball professionals, Senior Pros, and amateur players in action-packed competition. This USA Pickleball sanctioned event will take place January 17th to January 21st at the prestigious Patch Reef Tennis Center in Boca Raton, Florida.
The tournament will feature a Charity Celebrity Pro-Am on Friday night, featuring former NFL, NBA and Tennis Professionals playing with the top pros. Additionally, this year’s event will be the first stop on the new 2024 Senior Pro Tour. This new tour is designed to bring the outstanding play of seniors across America to the entire pickleball community.
In addition to bringing the top pickleball athletes together for an amazing tournament, the Boca Raton Pickleball Masters will also feature a spectacular venue with state-of-the-art facilities and stunning surroundings. Located at 2000 Northwest 51st Street, this impressive facility features six permanent and beautifully-lighted plexi-cushion pickleball courts as well as sixteen championship tennis courts.
Soak up the atmosphere, cheer for your favorite players and watch these titans of the sport compete at a level rarely seen outside of the tournament setting. The slams, the drama and the unrelenting determination of these incredible athletes are sure to electrify you as you witness history in the making. With divisions for every skill level, this heart-pumping competition is not to be missed.
How to Sign Up
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or brand new to the game, you’ll love this heart-pumping, paddle-wielding tournament where legends are made. The games are fast-paced and fiercely competitive, but the atmosphere is friendly and uplifting. It’s a fun way to socialize with friends, get a workout, and enhance your health and wellness.
Play is held at Patch Reef Park Tennis and Pickleball Center, off Yamato Road in Boca Raton. The facility includes six permanent plexi-cushion pickleball courts and 16 tennis courts. During the tournament, existing tennis courts will be temporarily converted via tape lines and temporary netting into additional pickleball courts. These modifications will be removed following the tournament, returning the tennis courts to their normal use.
The tournament features singles and doubles events for players of all ages and skill levels. There are also mixed doubles and mixed doubles-events for players who enjoy playing with both men and women. Each event will have an age bracket, so you can find the right competition level for your skills.
In officiated matches, referees will pay close attention to ensure that each player’s service motion complies with USA Pickleball requirements. Teams are allowed up to two 1-minute time-outs per game, with an end change time-out at 6 points in games to 11 points or 8 points in games to 15. If a player sustains a head injury, they must stop play immediately and submit to a medical examination in accordance with the tournament’s concussion protocol.
FAQs
Whether you are an avid pickleball player or just curious about the sport, this tournament will have something for everyone. From thrilling matches to world-class amenities, it’s sure to be a weekend to remember.
Having the right paddle makes all the difference when it comes to picking up the game, which is why LevelUp partners with top paddle manufacturers to offer a full line of onsite paddles for demo testing. Choose from a variety of top-notch brands such as Trnity, Selkirk, Paddletek, Sketchers, Joola, and CRBN.
For players competing in officiated games, the referee will pay close attention that each player’s service motion meets USA Pickleball rules. The referee will also verify that the correct player has the ball before calling the score. Additionally, all teams must use paddles listed on the Approved Paddle List on the USA Pickleball website.
Join the action at Patch Reef Park Tennis & Pickleball Center, January 17-23, 2024 and witness some of the best professional and amateur pickleball athletes compete in pro, senior pro, and amateur divisions. Hosted by Foster Events Group and The Senior Pro Tour, this event is sanctioned by USA Pickleball and adheres to all USTA guidelines. Get to know the stars of the game in a heart-pumping tournament where legends are made!
