Thaddea Lock bagged a triple crown as Brits dominated the second event in the Mediterranean Open series at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy in Alicante.
British players won gold in every category including a full podium in the mixed doubles in which Thaddea won gold alongside James Chaudry, beating Emilia Smythe and Freddie Powell in the final. Louis Laville and Hermione Baxter Chinery took bronze.
Thaddea also won gold in the women’s singles with victory over Spain’s Sara Chumillas, while England’s Katie Morris, a relative pickleball newcomer from tennis, won bronze (and took a set off Thaddea in the semi-finals).
Thaddea teamed up with Hermione Baxter-Chinery for the first time to top the podium in the women’s doubles, overcoming Spaniards Sara Chumillas and Maria Constantine. Julie Mac won bronze alongside Katlyn Savva.
“A huge thank you to my wonderful partners Hermione and James for being instrumental in allowing me to come away with a triple crown this weekend,” said Thaddea on Instagram.
“Hermione, it was the first time we’ve played together and I had a blast battling the wind and our opponents alongside you. We got better and better as the day went on and I was so proud of our performance in the final to come away with gold. Congratulations on your amazing weekend.
“James, as always, thank you for being an incredible mixed partner, all of your constant on court advice and not yet killing me on court. The glare count was definitely down this weekend!”
Louis claimed victory in the men’s singles by beating close friend and Roehampton Club colleague Freddie Powell. The pair teamed up in the men’s doubles to take gold, with James Chaudry grabbing bronze with Basti Grau.
“Louis played really, really well in singles,” Freddie told pickleball52. “I’ve had the beating of him recently but that was the best I’ve seen him play for quite a while. In doubles, Louis and I played one of our most solid tournaments for quite a while. It was great fun.”
The event was the second of the four-leg Mediterranean Open, the first of which we reported on back in December at the Rafal Nadal Academy in Mallorca. Each leg of the series features elite, over-55 and community tournaments. Julie Mac and Juan Carlos won 55+ pro gold in Alicante and Carolyn Laville earned 55+ intermediate silver alongside Gustavo Alonso.
Freddie said the event was “perfect preparation” for the British players heading to Miami next week for the APP Atlantic Cup and APP Miami Pickleball Open, followed by the US Open in Naples, Florida.
