It’s a new-look English Nationals this year, and Louis Laville is raring to go.
The 2024 edition is doubles-only, which Laville puts down to “the popularity of the sport and a testament to its growth.”
Laville – who won gold in the men’s doubles last year with Freddie Powell – will be heavily fancied in the discipline this time round, partnering James Chaudry.
But he says there are plenty of other pairs to watch in the field, including Tom Turney and Ben Cawston, Ed Hares and Tom Corfield, Stuart Parminter and James Mathie, Pep Giuliano and Peter Hitchman…and more.
“It’s going to be very competitive,” he told Pickleball52. “I have a different partner this year but still trying to go back to back.”
Laville was also the champion in the 2023 mixed doubles, partnering Pei Chuan Kao. This time round he will play alongside Sara Tsukamoto – who partners Molly O’Donoghue in the women’s doubles.
Last year’s champions Mollie Knaggs and Thaddea Lock partner Mercedes Baxter Chinery and Hermione Baxter Chinery respectively.
“The women’s doubles is very open this year – it’ll be a very exciting day,” says Laville. “I couldn’t call it at all – it depends how the draw comes out and how they do in the round robin. I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.”
The four-day event begins on Thursday (31st October).
