Franklin Sports won the Battle of the Paddles on day one of the Skechers English Open at Telford International Centre.
The new team competition kicked off this year’s week-long extravaganza which has attracted its biggest ever field over over 2,000 players.
The Battle of the Paddles featured teams sponsored by HEAD, Gamma, Diadem, Pro-XR, Maxwill, Zcebra, Owl, Fox and Franklin.
Champions Franklin were expertly coached by top English star Louis Laville and had APP no.1 ranked Meghan Fudge in their ranks, plus PPL player Hermione Baxter-Chinery. They beat a team from quiet paddle brand Owl 2-1 in the final.
Megan said: “I’m super excited to get back to England. I actually went to boarding school in England and it was a very fun place. My grandparents lived in London all my life so I love coming back to England and supporting English pickleball.
“My parents are actually flying over from Germany to come watch me play again. My last year at the England Open was my dad’s first ever pickleball tournament watching me live, which was so funny because like my dad was my tennis coach growing up all my life.
“It’s super exciting to have them back out there again this year. Being surrounded by family and friends, it’s just unique and fun and obviously adds to the atmosphere.”
An experienced player in the US pickleball circuit, Fudge will relish the opportunity to play against new opponents, testing her skills against some of the best from across Europe and Asia.
“I love the fact that I’m coming to Europe to play other players,” she said.
“The American market, I know most of the players there and I’m getting to know a lot of the European players and also the Indian and the Asian players as well.
“I think there’s a good mix for the English Open and it’s going to be fun and exciting to play others. I know everybody’s just getting better and better by the day and it’s going to definitely be more and more challenging, but I’m excited to see how it all pans out.”
Pro XR Pickleball, featuring English Nationals singles champion Pei Chuan Kao, Thaddea Lock and James Chaudry, won the bronze medal, beating Zcebra 2-1 in the play-off.
Everyone registered player at the English Open was able to affiliate with one paddle brand and supported their brand throughout the day.
Day one at the Telford International Centre also featured a commentator clinic with the renowned Dominic Catalano, coaching clinics with the pro, a Next Gen workshop and opportunities for recreational play for those fine-tuning for the start of the singles on Friday.
