PPA Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open Tournament Preview: A Comprehensive Guide

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour is gearing up for another exciting event in Utah – the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open. This tournament, set to take place at the Little Valley Pickleball Complex in St. George, promises to be a thrilling showcase of top-tier pickleball talent. As we anticipate the action-packed days ahead, let’s delve into the key aspects of this prestigious event and what spectators can expect.

Understanding the Significance of the Red Rock Open

The Red Rock Open has established itself as a cornerstone event in the pickleball calendar. Utah, known for its vibrant pickleball community, has a rich history of hosting exceptional tournaments. This event not only highlights the state’s commitment to the sport but also attracts players and fans from across the country.

For those new to pickleball or unfamiliar with the PPA Tour, it’s worth noting that these tournaments are where the cream of the crop in professional pickleball compete. The Red Rock Open, in particular, holds a special place due to its unique setting and the caliber of play it consistently delivers.

Weather and Altitude: Key Factors to Consider

When it comes to outdoor sports like pickleball, weather conditions play a crucial role. For the Red Rock Open, the forecast looks promising with no precipitation expected. However, players and spectators should be prepared for potentially windy conditions, though not as severe as what was experienced at the recent Texas event.

A more significant factor to consider is the altitude. St. George sits at an elevation of 2,860 feet above sea level, making it the highest altitude location on the 2025 PPA Tour. This elevation can have a noticeable impact on gameplay. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner, which means there’s less air resistance. As a result, the pickleball will travel faster through the air compared to play at sea level.

For players, this means adjusting their gameplay strategies. They may find that their usual power shots travel further and faster than expected. Conversely, softer shots like dinks might be more challenging to control. Spectators can expect to see more aggressive play, with players driving the ball hard and frequently attempting to overpower their opponents.

The altitude factor adds an intriguing element to the tournament. Players who can quickly adapt to these conditions will have a distinct advantage. It’s not just about skill and strategy anymore; it’s also about who can best acclimate to the unique playing environment of St. George.

New Hybrid Tournament Format: A Game-Changer

One of the most exciting aspects of the Red Rock Open is the introduction of a new hybrid tournament format. This format blends elements from traditional Open tournament draws with the Progressive draws typically seen in Cups and Slams. Here’s a breakdown of how the tournament will unfold:

Wednesday: Women’s and Men’s Singles through quarterfinals
Thursday: Mixed Doubles through quarterfinals
Friday: Women’s and Men’s Doubles through quarterfinals
Saturday: Semi-finals in all five events
Sunday: Championship matches

This new format is designed to build excitement throughout the week and highlight key storylines as they develop. It allows for a more concentrated focus on each discipline, giving spectators the chance to fully immerse themselves in singles, mixed doubles, and doubles play on separate days.

For players, this format presents both challenges and opportunities. They’ll need to pace themselves differently, potentially playing multiple matches in a single discipline in one day, followed by a day of rest before the next event. It also means that players competing in multiple events will have their matches spread out over more days, potentially allowing for better recovery between events.

From a spectator’s perspective, this format promises to deliver intense, focused action each day. It also builds anticipation as the tournament progresses, with all semi-finals taking place on Saturday and the championships on Sunday.

Notable Absences and Their Impact

While the Red Rock Open is set to feature a star-studded lineup, several notable players will be absent from the event. Top pros like Ben Johns, Anna Bright, Tyson McGuffin, Brooke Buckner, Collin Johns, and Zoey Wang are participating in the JOOLA Legends Pickleball Tour during the same period. Additionally, players such as Tina Pisnik, Kate Fahey, Jessie Irvine, and Gabe Tardio have opted to skip this tournament.

These absences will undoubtedly impact the competitive landscape of the tournament. For instance, the absence of Ben Johns, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, opens up opportunities for other top-ranked players to claim victory in the men’s events. Similarly, Anna Bright’s absence in the women’s division could lead to some exciting and unpredictable matches.

For fans, while it might be disappointing not to see some familiar faces, these absences create opportunities to witness emerging talents and different matchups. It adds an element of unpredictability to the tournament, which can make for thrilling viewing.

Broadcast Details: Fox Takes Center Stage

A significant milestone for the 2025 PPA Tour is its debut on FOX. The network will provide an exclusive two-hour window on Championship Sunday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm ET. This prime-time slot on a major network represents a huge step forward for pickleball’s visibility and mainstream appeal.

For those unable to attend in person, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to watch the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open:

Wednesday, March 26th – Women’s and Men’s Singles

1pm – 9pm ET: Championship Court and Grandstand Court on PickleballTV

Thursday, March 27th – Mixed Doubles

1pm – 9pm ET: Championship Court and Grandstand Court on PickleballTV

Friday, March 28th – Women’s and Men’s Doubles

1pm – 9pm ET: Championship Court and Grandstand Court on PickleballTV
6:30pm – 8:30pm ET: FS2 (Concurrent broadcast)

Saturday, March 29th – Semi-final Saturday

1pm – 9pm ET: Championship Court on PickleballTV
1pm – 9pm ET: Grandstand Court (Juniors and Collegiate Showcase) on PickleballTV
9:30pm – 11:30pm ET: FS1 (Replays)

Sunday, March 30th – Championship Sunday

1pm – 4:30pm ET: Championship Court (Gold Medal Matches) on PickleballTV
4:30pm – 6:30pm ET: Championship Court (Gold Medal Matches) on FOX
Noon – 4pm ET: Grandstand Court (Bronze Medal Matches) on PickleballTV

Women’s Singles: A Competitive Field

The women’s singles event at the Red Rock Open promises to be highly competitive, despite having a smaller field than usual due to some notable absences. Here are the key points to watch:

With Kate Fahey and Brooke Buckner missing, the field is more open than usual.
Unsigned players Lara Giltinan (17th seed) and Jalina Ingram (18th seed) have been moved to the main draw, adding an element of unpredictability.
All eyes will be on the side of the bracket opposite Anna Leigh Waters, where Kaitlyn Christian, Parris Todd, and Catherine Parenteau will be vying for a spot in the finals.

Predictions for the women’s singles event:

Semi-finalists: (1) Anna Leigh Waters, (3) Lea Jansen, (2) Kaitlyn Christian, and (4) Parris Todd
Finals: Anna Leigh Waters is favored to defeat Parris Todd, potentially securing her fifth title of the year

This event will be a test of consistency and adaptability, especially considering the altitude factor. Players who can adjust their game to the faster ball speed will have a significant advantage.

Men’s Singles: Rising Stars and Heated Rivalries

The men’s singles event is shaping up to be an exciting showcase of both established talents and rising stars. Here are the key storylines to follow:

Recently signed UPA player John Lucian Goins (18th seed) will be one to watch. At just 16 years old, he has already notched wins against top players like Ben Johns, Gabe Tardio, and Dylan Frazier.
Connor Garnett (3rd seed) is still searching for his first medal of 2025. He faces a tough potential quarterfinal match against Christian Alshon (6th seed), who has been in excellent form recently.
A potential Round of 16 match between Jaume Martinez Vich (4th seed) and Zane Ford (14th seed) could be particularly intense, given their recent history.

Predictions for the men’s singles event:

Semi-finalists: (1) Federico Staksrud, (6) Christian Alshon, (2) Hunter Johnson, and (4) Jaume Martinez Vich
Finals: Federico Staksrud is expected to overcome Christian Alshon in the semis and then defeat Hunter Johnson for the championship

The men’s singles event is likely to feature aggressive play and powerful shots, especially given the altitude. Players who can maintain control while leveraging the faster conditions will have an edge.

Mixed Doubles: New Partnerships and Open Field

With the absence of the dominant pairing of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, the mixed doubles event is wide open. This creates an exciting opportunity for other teams to shine. Key points to note:

Several new partnerships are debuting at this event, including Etta Tuionetoa and Federico Staksrud (3rd seeds), Hurricane Tyra Black and James Ignatowich (4th seeds), and Parris Todd and Dekel Bar (6th seeds).
A potentially thrilling early round match to watch is between Allyce Jones/Travis Rettenmaier (13th seeds) and Kaitlyn Christian/Jack Sock (20th seeds) in the Round of 32.

Predictions for the mixed doubles event:

Semi-finalists: (1) Jorja & JW Johnson, (3) Etta Tuionetoa/Federico Staksrud, (2) Catherine Parenteau/Christian Alshon, and (5) Rachel Rohrabacher/Hayden Patriquin
Finals: Catherine Parenteau and Christian Alshon are favored to win their first gold together, likely facing off against the Johnson siblings

The mixed doubles event often showcases some of the most strategic and dynamic play in pickleball. With new partnerships and the absence of some dominant teams, this event could produce some surprising results.

Women’s Doubles: Powerhouse Pairings and Local Favorites

The women’s doubles event features a mix of established partnerships and intriguing new pairings. Here’s what to watch for:

With Anna Bright out, Rachel Rohrabacher (2nd seed) is teaming up with Parris Todd, forming a formidable new partnership.
Local Utah players Allyce Jones and Etta Tuionetoa (4th seeds) will have home court advantage and local support.
Mari Humberg and Meghan Dizon (7th seeds) are teaming up for the first time, adding an element of unpredictability to the draw.

Predictions for the women’s doubles event:

Semi-finalists: (1) Catherine Parenteau/Anna Leigh Waters, (3) Jorja Johnson/Hurricane Tyra Black, (5) Lucy Kovalova/Lea Jansen, and (4) Allyce Jones/Etta Tuionetoa
Finals: Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters are expected to face off against Lucy Kovalova and Lea Jansen in the finals

The women’s doubles event often features a blend of power and finesse. The altitude factor could lead to more aggressive play, but teams that can effectively mix up their strategies will likely have the most success.

Men’s Doubles: Strong Partnerships and Rising Duos

The men’s doubles event promises intense competition with several strong partnerships vying for the title. Key points to consider:

Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud (1st seeds) are reuniting after previously winning two gold medals together.
New LA Mad Drops teammates Hunter Johnson and Quang Duong (8th seeds) are partnering for the first time on the PPA Tour.
Andrei Daescu and Christian Alshon (2nd seeds) have been on a hot streak, having won gold in both Tucson and Mesa.

Predictions for the men’s doubles event:

Semi-finalists: (1) Hayden Patriquin/Federico Staksrud, (4) CJ Klinger/JW Johnson, (2) Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu, and (3) Dylan Frazier/Dekel Bar
Finals: CJ Klinger and JW Johnson are favored to overcome Alshon and Daescu in what could be a closely contested final

The men’s doubles event typically showcases some of the most high-energy and fast-paced play in pickleball. With the added factor of altitude, spectators can expect to see powerful shots and aggressive strategies throughout the tournament.

Conclusion: A Tournament Not to Be Missed

The PPA Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open is shaping up to be an exciting and potentially pivotal event in the 2025 pickleball calendar. With its new hybrid format, the absence of some top players, and the unique challenges posed by the high-altitude environment, this tournament promises plenty of thrilling matches and potential upsets.

For pickleball enthusiasts and casual fans alike, this event offers a fantastic opportunity to witness the sport at its highest level. The broadcast on FOX also marks a significant milestone for pickleball’s growing mainstream appeal.

Whether you’re able to attend in person or will be watching from home, the Red Rock Open is set to deliver world-class pickleball action in one of the most picturesque settings on the PPA Tour. It’s an event that showcases not just the elite talent in the sport, but also the strategic depth and physical demands

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