This year, for the first time ever, JOOLA and the PPA teamed up to take things to the next level for aspiring pros and to boost the visibility of both professional and amateur pickleball across the country with the launch of the PPA Challenger Series.

Here’s how it works: players earn points based on how far they advance in PPA Challenger tournaments—the deeper the run, the more points they rack up. And there’s a big incentive: winners of each Challenger event score a spot in the main draw of a PPA Tour Open event.

The PPA Challenger Rankings get updated after every tournament and track two sets of points: one from the past 52 weeks, and one from the current calendar year. Each player’s top 16 finishes count toward their overall leaderboard standing. The top performers will earn a coveted spot in the “PPA Challenger Showdown in Dallas,” where they'll compete for a PPA Tour contract.

Tour stop number two took us to Portland, Maine, and the JOOLA blog was there to witness the grit, grind, and fun of the PPA Challengers Series in action.

Recap

It was a rainy few days in Portland, Maine, but inside The Picklr, it was all pickleball vibes. The venue stayed warm and dry, and with the buzz of matches echoing through the courts, no one seemed to notice the weather outside.

Hosting 383 registrants from 28 states and 10 different countries including Canada, Brazil, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico and Peru—plus pickleball influencers, friends, family, and fans—the Picklr transformed into a can't-miss destination for the PPA Challenger Series.


Over three action-packed days, we witnessed some unforgettable moments: a father-daughter duo playing their first tournament together, a jaw-dropping behind-the-back, down-the-line shot from Max Wild, not one but two triple-crown winners, and plenty of heartfelt cheers for moms on Mother's Day.

Day 1

The action kicked off with Men’s and Women’s Singles, setting the tone for an electric weekend. The day wrapped up with a college showcase match, where the University of Connecticut edged out the University of Maine in a thrilling dreambreaker finale.

Day 2

Doubles took center stage, with Men’s and Women’s teams lighting up the courts and packing the stands with energy and excitement. You couldn’t miss the wave of Agassi Pro and Perseus Pro IV paddles dominating the pro draw—it was clear these fan-favorite paddles were everywhere.

Day 3

Mother’s Day Sunday brought the weekend to a high-energy close with Mixed Doubles action. Anderson Scarpa and Angie Walker each completed a stunning run to secure triple-crown status, making it a celebration to remember.

Results 

When the JOOLA blog got the assignment to cover the PPA Challenger, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect. What would the vibe be like for the grinders, the amateurs, and the die-hard supporters? Could The Picklr, the PPA, and JOOLA really bring it all together and turn it into a weekend to remember?


Portland may have come and gone in a flash, but those three days of high-level competition made the trip more than worthwhile. The passion and dedication of the Challenger Series players were impossible to miss. Bringing a professionally run tournament to a smaller market turned out to be a smart—and much-needed—move. The hunger for pickleball was real, with fans, part-time players, and aspiring pros all showing up with one mission in mind: pickleball, all the time.

The JOOLA blog will be covering the PPA Challenger Series throughout the rest of 2025, so be sure to follow along at JOOLA.com for more behind-the-scenes looks at life on tour and everything pickleball.

Women’s Singles: Angie Walker bested Tea Pejic in straight sets (11-1, 11-6).

Women’s Doubles: Sisters Angie and Alex Walker took out Lize Truluck and Caitlin Klassen (11-4, 11-1).

Men’s Doubles: Anderson Scarpa doubled his gold medal total with partner Gregory Dow as they beat Lucas Pereyra and Usama Khalid (11-7, 11-4).

Mixed Doubles: Angie Walker and Anderson Scarpa each completed the Triple Crown with a hard fought battle against Neely Sullivan and Robert Laidlaw (11-8, 11-2).

Upcoming Tour Stops

May 23-25: Pickleplex. Punta Gorda, Florida
May 30 – June 1: The Flying Pickle. Boise, Idaho
June 13 – 15: Premier Pickleball Center. Springfield, Illinois
June 27 – 29: Fairport Pickleball Club. Fairport, NY. 

*Photos courtesy of PPA.