The PPA Daytona Beach Open brought the 2024 pickleball season to a close with a thrilling weekend of high-stakes matches, showcasing the best players in the world. Not just a finale, this tournament also marked the beginning of the 2025 standings, adding extra intensity to every match. From breakout stars to dominant champions, Daytona Beach delivered unforgettable moments across all divisions.

Men’s Doubles: Daescu and Klinger Dominate the Field

Andrei Daescu and CJ Klinger delivered an exceptional performance in Daytona Beach, claiming gold after a series of commanding wins. They closed out the finals against Pablo Tellez and Dekel Bar with a commanding 3-0 victory (13-11, 11-2, 11-9). 

However, their journey to the top wasn’t without challenges. In the semifinals, Daescu and Klinger faced Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud, a pair previously having only lost once together. After splitting the first two games, Daescu and Klinger pulled away in the third (11-2, 4-11, 11-7) to advance to Championship Sunday.

Tellez and Bar impressed throughout the weekend, reaching the finals after an upset victory over veterans Matt Wright and AJ Koller in straight games (11-3, 11-3). Meanwhile, Patriquin and Staksrud showcased their ability to bounce back, securing the bronze medal with a solid win over Wright and Koller (11-8, 11-3).

Men’s Singles: Staksrud Stamps His Dominance

Federico Staksrud solidified his status as the top men’s singles player, adding another title to his impressive 2024 season. His finals victory over Zane Ford (11-7, 11-3) was a testament to the hard work he's put in all year. 

Ford’s run to the finals was one of the tournament’s standout stories. The unseeded player shocked the field with a semifinal upset over second-seeded Michael Loyd (11-7, 9-11, 12-10), proving his ability to hang with the best. Although he fell short in the finals, Ford’s performance signals a bright future for the young competitor.

Loyd regrouped to claim bronze, dispatching Mo Alhouni in a clinical match (11-1, 11-1). 

Women’s Doubles: The Waters Rise to the Top

Anna Leigh Waters and Leigh Waters demonstrated once again why they are one of the most formidable duos in pickleball. After dropping the first game in the finals against Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black, the Waters pair surged back to dominate the next three games (7-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4), clinching the gold medal.

Johnson and Black had an impressive run, highlighted by a semifinal upset over top-seeded Anna Bright and Jackie Kawamoto (11-8, 11-5). 

Bright and Kawamoto rebounded from their semifinal loss to secure bronze with a gritty win over Allyce Jones and Tina Pisnik (7-11, 11-3, 11-6). 

Women’s Singles: Kaitlyn Christian Claims Her First Gold

Kaitlyn Christian delivered one of the most memorable performances of the weekend, capturing the women’s singles title in dramatic fashion. In the finals, she edged out Dominique Schaefer in a tightly contested match (11-3, 14-12), earning Christian her first PPA title.

Schaefer had an incredible tournament, making waves early with a stunning quarterfinal upset of top-seeded Lea Jansen (11-9, 7-11, 11-4). She continued her run with a semifinal victory over Helena Jansen (13-11, 11-3), but ultimately fell just short in the gold-medal match.

Mary Brascia rounded out the podium, defeating Helena Jansen in the bronze-medal match (11-1, 12-10). 

Mixed Doubles: Patriquin and Johnson Take Center Stage

With JW Johnson missing from the draw, Hayden Patriquin and Jorja Johnson made their debut as a mixed team in Daytona Beach. Patriquin and Johnson emerged as the champions in mixed doubles, dominating the finals against Andrei Daescu and Tina Pisnik (11-8, 11-3, 11-8). 

Daescu and Pisnik, another new pairing, impressed with their run to the finals, including a semifinal upset over top-seeded Anna Bright and Dekel Bar (11-7, 11-9). Bright and Bar didn’t leave empty-handed, however, securing bronze with a decisive victory over Pablo Tellez and Tyra Black (11-1, 11-4).

A Glimpse Into the Future

As the last tournament of 2024, the Daytona Beach Open was both a celebration of the year’s accomplishments and a preview of what’s to come. Established stars like Federico Staksrud and Anna Leigh Waters reaffirmed their dominance, while emerging talents such as Zane Ford showed that a new generation is ready to challenge for the spotlight.

The PPA Tour will continue their season in Rancho Mirage, CA for the PPA Masters starting January 6th.