Best Dressed Players: PPA Red Rock Open – A Style Showcase in St. George
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour recently made a stop in St. George, Utah, for the highly anticipated Red Rock Open. This event not only showcased top-tier pickleball talent but also turned heads with its breathtaking scenery and players’ fashion choices. The picturesque backdrop of St. George’s iconic red rocks provided the perfect stage for both athletic prowess and sartorial splendor. As the sport continues to gain mainstream attention, with Championship Sunday even landing a feature on Fox, it’s clear that pickleball is evolving both on and off the court.
For those new to the world of pickleball, it’s worth noting that the sport has seen a significant surge in popularity in recent years. This growth has led to increased attention not just on players’ skills, but also on their personal style and presentation. The Red Rock Open exemplified this trend, with players bringing their A-game in terms of both performance and fashion.
Let’s dive into some of the standout looks from the weekend that caught our eye and set the fashion bar high for future pickleball events.
Jack Sock: Performance Meets Style
Jack Sock, a name familiar to both tennis and pickleball enthusiasts, made waves at the Red Rock Open not just with his impressive gameplay that took him all the way to Championship Sunday, but also with his carefully curated on-court look. Sock opted for a Pro Line Athletic Long Sleeve in Ozone from Selkirk, pairing it with the brand’s Pro Line 7-Inch Shorts in Black.
This combination struck a perfect balance between functionality and style. The subtle color of the top provided a nice contrast against the darker bottom, creating a clean and professional look. To complete his ensemble, Sock sported Selkirk’s new Courtstrike Pro Pickleball Shoes, showcasing the brand’s commitment to providing athletes with top-tier equipment from head to toe.
Sock’s outfit choice demonstrates the growing trend in pickleball fashion where players are increasingly conscious of their appearance on court, opting for coordinated outfits that not only perform well but also look great under the spotlight.
Dekel Bar & Dylan Frazier: Humor Meets Fashion
In a sport that’s known for its fun and social nature, Dekel Bar and Dylan Frazier took things to the next level with their custom “The Big D’s” shirts. This playful and humorous approach to on-court attire quickly became the talk of the tournament, showcasing the personalities behind the paddles.
Their custom shirts not only brought smiles to spectators’ faces but also highlighted the camaraderie and light-hearted spirit that makes pickleball so appealing to many. This move by Bar and Frazier demonstrates that pickleball fashion isn’t just about looking good; it’s also about expressing individuality and having fun with one’s appearance on the court.
The instant hit status of these shirts, both at the Red Rock Open and across social media platforms, underscores the power of personality-driven fashion choices in sports. It shows that in pickleball, there’s room for both serious athleticism and playful self-expression.
Brandon French & Wyatt Stone: Bold Coordination
Brandon French and Wyatt Stone turned heads with their coordinated outfits, featuring matching hot pink Nike headbands. This bold color choice, set against a backdrop of black and white attire, created a striking visual impact on the court.
The Nike Dri-Fit Head Tie 4.0 in vibrant pink served as more than just a functional accessory; it became a statement piece that unified their look and set them apart from the competition. This approach to team dressing in pickleball doubles play highlights the growing trend of partners coordinating their outfits for both aesthetic appeal and team spirit.
The contrast between the bold pink headbands and the more subdued black and white base of their outfits created a balanced yet eye-catching ensemble. This style choice demonstrates how even small pops of color can make a significant impact in sports fashion, especially in a setting as visually striking as the Red Rock Open.
Anna Leigh Waters: Custom FILA Elegance
Anna Leigh Waters, a dominant force in pickleball, continued to impress both with her play and her fashion choices throughout the Red Rock Open. Her custom FILA looks seamlessly blended performance wear with high fashion, elevating the standard for on-court style in pickleball.
A standout outfit from Waters was a soft blush pink set, which she chose to rewear from the previous weekend’s tournament. This choice not only showcased the versatility of her wardrobe but also highlighted the growing importance of sustainable fashion choices in sports.
Waters’ continued partnership with FILA and her carefully curated looks are helping to elevate pickleball’s presence in the fashion world. Her style choices demonstrate that pickleball attire can be both functional for high-level play and fashionable enough to turn heads.
Parris Todd: Harmonizing with Nature
Parris Todd’s outfit choice for the Red Rock Open was nothing short of perfect, seamlessly blending with the natural surroundings of St. George. Todd sported Alo’s new smoky quartz color, a choice that couldn’t have been more fitting for the tournament’s backdrop.
Her ensemble consisted of the Airlift Down the Line Tennis Skirt paired with the matching Airlift Mesh Cherish Bra. To complete the look, Todd added the Love Knots Tie Scrunchie, tying the entire outfit together with a cohesive and stylish finish.
This carefully curated look not only showcased Todd’s fashion sense but also demonstrated how pickleball attire can complement and enhance the playing environment. The earthy tones of her outfit resonated with the natural beauty of St. George, creating a harmonious visual experience for spectators and viewers alike.
Dominique Schaefer: A Pop of Green
Dominique Schaefer made a bold statement at the Red Rock Open with her choice of Alo’s limited edition spruce green color. This vibrant hue provided a striking contrast against the red rock backdrop of St. George, ensuring Schaefer stood out on the court.
Schaefer’s outfit consisted of the Airbrush High-Waist Good Form Tennis Skirt paired with the matching Real Bra Tank. The cohesive look was further enhanced by her matching green nails, showcasing attention to detail and a commitment to a complete, polished appearance.
This outfit choice highlights the growing trend in pickleball fashion of using bold, solid colors to make a statement on the court. It also demonstrates how players are increasingly considering the visual impact of their outfits against various tournament backdrops, treating their attire as an extension of their personal brand and playing style.
Jalina Ingram: Vibrant Performance
Jalina Ingram not only impressed with her performance on the court, making it to the quarterfinals in women’s singles and upsetting notable players along the way, but also with her vibrant choice of attire. Ingram sported a striking pink and purple patterned dress from Venus Williams’ brand, EleVen.
This bold pattern choice stood out against the backdrop of St. George’s red rocks, ensuring that Ingram’s impressive play was matched by an equally impressive visual presence. For those looking to recreate this eye-catching look, the dress can be found on eBay.
Ingram’s outfit choice demonstrates the increasing influence of tennis fashion on pickleball attire, with many players opting for bold patterns and colors that might have once been more commonly seen on tennis courts. This crossover highlights pickleball’s growing status as a sport that values both athleticism and style.
Hannah Blatt: Classic Elegance
Hannah Blatt, known for her fashion-forward choices on the pickleball court, opted for a classic all-white ensemble that stood out for its simplicity and elegance. Her outfit consisted of a PB5 Star collared crop tank paired with a PB5 Star mesh panel pickleball skirt.
This monochromatic look created a clean, cohesive appearance that allowed Blatt’s skills on the court to take center stage. The all-white outfit also provided a striking contrast against the earthy tones of the St. George landscape, ensuring that Blatt stood out for both her play and her style.
Blatt’s choice of an all-white ensemble harkens back to traditional tennis attire while still embracing modern cuts and materials designed specifically for pickleball. This blend of classic style with contemporary sportswear demonstrates the evolving nature of pickleball fashion, where players can draw inspiration from various sports while still maintaining a distinct pickleball identity.
Hunter Johnson: Polished Professionalism
Hunter Johnson made a strong fashion statement throughout the weekend, with his Wilson ensemble being a particular standout. Johnson sported a Wilson Advantage Zip Polo featuring a sycamore green collar, which he paired with Wilson Tennis Volley Shorts in matching sycamore green.
This coordinated look created a sleek and polished appearance that perfectly balanced athleticism with a touch of professionalism. The choice of sycamore green added a subtle pop of color to the outfit, complementing the natural surroundings of the Red Rock Open while still maintaining a clean, put-together aesthetic.
Johnson’s outfit choice reflects a growing trend in pickleball fashion towards more refined, tennis-inspired looks. This style direction suggests that as pickleball continues to grow in popularity and prestige, players are increasingly opting for outfits that project a more professional image while still allowing for the full range of motion required by the sport.
Alix Truong: Fresh and Vibrant
Alix Truong brought a breath of fresh air to the Red Rock Open with her choice of attire. Truong expertly styled the Swiftly Tech Cropped Short-Sleeve Shirt 2.0 in Mint Breeze, pairing it with the High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt.
The subtle mint hue of her top added a refreshing pop of color to her overall look, creating a visually appealing contrast against the red rock backdrop of St. George. This color choice not only stood out on the court but also complemented the natural surroundings, showcasing Truong’s keen eye for style and setting.
Truong’s outfit demonstrates the versatility of pickleball fashion, blending athletic performance wear with fashionable elements. The cropped shirt and pleated skirt combination offers a modern take on traditional tennis attire, adapted for the dynamic movements required in pickleball. This fusion of style and functionality is becoming increasingly popular among pickleball players, as they seek outfits that can keep up with the sport’s demands while still looking great on and off the court.
The Evolution of Pickleball Fashion
The fashion choices displayed at the PPA Red Rock Open in St. George, Utah, reflect the rapid evolution of pickleball style. As the sport continues to gain popularity and mainstream attention, players are increasingly using their on-court attire as a means of self-expression and brand building.
From Jack Sock’s professional and coordinated Selkirk ensemble to the playful custom shirts of Dekel Bar and Dylan Frazier, and from Anna Leigh Waters’ elegant FILA looks to the bold color choices of players like Parris Todd and Dominique Schaefer, the tournament showcased a wide range of
