The 2024 Season Comes To A Close At The PPA Tour Australia: Melbourne Championships.
| November 15, 2024
The PPA Tour Australia: Melbourne Open 2024 was an exhilarating finish to the season’s second tour, held from November 8th to 10th at the scenic Centenary Park in Frankston North, Melbourne. With a record-breaking prize pool of over $124,000 up for grabs, this event attracted the region’s top pickleball players, delivering intense competition across all divisions.
An Action-Packed Three Days of Pickleball
The event kicked off with fierce competition in multiple categories, including the Pro, Open, Masters 50+, and Juniors divisions, each featuring a range of exciting matches. In addition to the traditional events, the debut of the MLPA Masters 50+ Challenge added a fresh layer of excitement, as seasoned players took to the courts each morning, showcasing their skills in the over-50 category.
Throughout the afternoon sessions, the Pro division proved to be the highlight, as the highest level of professional pickleball in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia was on full display. Players from across the region competed not only for top-tier prize money but also for critical points to secure their spots on the season leaderboard. The action was fast, thrilling, and unpredictable—keeping both spectators and players on the edge of their seats.
From epic rallies to nail-biting tie-breakers, the Melbourne Championships had it all. Here’s a quick look at the standout performances:
Men’s Singles
- Gold: Jason Taylor
- Silver: Tom Evans
- Bronze: Kenta Miyoshi
Women’s Singles
- Gold: Pei-chuan Kao
- Silver: Somer Dalla-Bona
- Bronze: Yu-chieh Hsieh
Men’s Doubles
- Gold: Yates/Hargreaves
- Silver: Wild/Wall
- Bronze: Bhatia/Mehta
Women’s Doubles
- Gold: Burr/Haet
- Silver: Kao/Truluck
- Bronze: Esquivel/Townsend
Mixed Doubles
- Gold: Bates/Bhatia
- Silver: Schmidt/Hargreaves
- Bronze: Esquivel/Cassidy
This tournament was a perfect showcase of skill, sportsmanship, and the growing passion for pickleball across Australia.
The Debut of the MLPA Masters 50+ Challenge
A standout feature of this year’s Melbourne Open was the introduction of the MLPA Masters 50+ Challenge, a morning event that brought seasoned athletes aged 50 and above into the spotlight. This new addition to the PPA Tour Australia gave older competitors an opportunity to shine, providing a platform for athletes who may not always be in the spotlight during the Pro and Open events. The matches were packed with strategic play and heart, drawing a new level of respect for the Masters category.
Pro Division Leaderboard
As the season draws to a close, the Pro division standings have been finalised. Pei-chuan Kao (4,500) edged out Somer Dalla-Bona (4,300) in the Women’s Pro Division with Emilia Schmidt (3500) coming in third overall.
In the Men’s Pro Division, Joseph Wild led the way with 5,200 points, ahead of Mitch Hargreaves (4300) and US Hall of Famer, Kyle Yates (3050).
These athletes have battled across multiple tournaments to secure their positions as the top players in the region and take home the bonus prize money!
Masters 50+ Rankings
The Masters 50+ categories were equally competitive. In the Women’s Masters Division, Naomi Amakawa, Tina Bianchi and Rosa Morris a 3-way tie on 3,600, closely followed by Lien Truong (3000) and Katy Hargreaves at 2,650 points
On the Men’s side, Ivan Stride holds the top spot yet again with 4,600 points, followed by Tony Field (3,400 ) and Tek Tea (3000) in third.
These athletes, many of whom have been playing for decades, showed that experience on the court is just as valuable as raw talent.
Juniors and Open Division Highlights
The Juniors Division also shone throughout the weekend, with young rising stars taking center stage. This event is especially important for the future of pickleball in Australia, providing a glimpse of the next generation of top-tier players. Meanwhile, the Open Division provided a platform for the next generation of champions, with athletes rated 3.5 and above putting on a show of competitive spirit and skill.
A Thrilling Conclusion to the Season
The 2024 PPA Tour Australia season finale in Melbourne not only showcased top-tier pickleball but also served as an important milestone in the sport’s growth across the region. The players who took part in the event solidified their reputations as the best of the best in the Southern Hemisphere. With points up for grabs and rivalries heating up, the Melbourne Championships was a fitting conclusion to an action-packed year.
Stay tuned as the 2025 calendar is released and more events are on the horizon!
For detailed scores and a full list of medalists, visit the official tournament results here.
To re-watch all the action head to our YouTube Channel
