Mijas experienced the excitement of top-level national pickleball thanks to the fifth round of the official Pro Tour circuit of the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, which brought together the leading figures in this American sport, one that is rapidly gaining followers around the world and is booming in Spain. "Mijas is a home for sport that has always welcomed us when we have held an event or circuit in the now defunct World Padel Tour. We also had a great relationship with those responsible for sport in this city, and we thought of Mijas as an important venue for this new circuit. Mijas has always supported racket sports, and pickleball is no exception", said the tournament's communications manager, Darío Magro.
- La alcaldesa, Ana Mata, junto a los finalistas del dobles mixtos.
- M.C.
During the four days of competition, a total of 446 matches took place, across all categories, talent and pro, bringing together 148 registered players from eleven different countries. The preliminary round was played at the Lew Hoad Tennis Club on Thursday and Friday, while the final rounds took place at the Grand Park, which opened its doors to the public for the first time, with reduced capacity, to host this pickleball championship.
- A la derecha, la alcaldesa de Mijas, junto con la edil de Deportes, durante la presentación del evento.
- Jacobo Perea.
"This event has had the best possible setting, the Grand Park. We have enjoyed a warm-up weekend for the opening of this unique space in Andalusia, the largest urban park in our region", said the mayoress of the town, Ana Mata (PP), adding that the opening that the opening was being carried out gradually, allowing access this weekend to a restricted area of the park so that the public could watch the pickleball tournament, "as Mijas is the perfect setting for any event, but especially sporting events". She also announced that "soon" the Grand Park would be fully opened to all Mijas residents and visitors to enjoy.
Semi-finals
On Saturday 8th, spectators enjoyed the men's semi-final between Ignasi de Rueda and José Enrique de la Torre, which ended with De Rueda reaching the final after winning 2 sets to 0 (21–18, 21–18). "It was a very intense, very close match. To be honest, my opponent made it very difficult for me. That's the thing about this format: the matches are very evenly matched, there are great players and the final rounds are always tough to win", said De Rueda after his victory.
Finals
On Sunday 9th, the finals of the competition were held. In the women's doubles, María Costantino from Mijas and Eleana Rodino faced Sabrina Méndez and María Pintor. The Méndez-Pintor duo won the final in two sets (21-19 and 21-16). "This gold medal tastes like glory. It's my first on the Pickle Pro Tour, and I hope it's the first of many", said an emotional María Pintor. The Almeria native added that she "loved playing here at the Grand Park in Las Lagunas. My family and friends came to see me".
- Momento de la final de dobles femenina.
- M.C.
Local player María Costantino regretted not being able to give her supporters a win in this first final: "At the beginning, I was very nervous because I was playing at home, but I'm very happy with how I played, and I want to thank everyone who came to cheer me on".
- En el centro, la edil de Deportes, Mari Francis Alarcón, con las finalistas del dobles femenino.
- M.C.
The men’s doubles final saw Jesús García and David Illescas take on Ignasi de Rueda and Joshua Bright. This match was also decided in two sets (21–19, 22–20).
- Imagen de la final dobles masculina.
- M.C.
María Costantino reached another final, this time in the mixed doubles, the premier category in this sport, partnering Pep Canyadell.
- Momento de la final del dobles mixtos.
- M.C.
The pair faced Ignasi De Rueda, the singles champion, and Eleana Rodino. Like the previous matches, the final was very close, but in the end, the Constantino-Canyadel pair came out on top, with the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, watching from the stands. "Incredible, a very special feeling, I'm so happy to be here with my people", said Costantino, who finally claimed victory in this competition alongside Cayandell, who said, "it has been spectacular to share this moment with María and to have won this match".
- La alcaldesa de Mijas, en el centro, junto a la pareja ganadora del dobles mixtos, y la concejala de deportes, a la derecha.
- M.C.
At the end of the match, the mayoress presented the medals to the finalists and then the celebration moved to the stands. "María played a very close match and, in the end, as it should be, the Mijas native won alongside Pep Canyadell.
For her part, the councillor for Sports, Mari Francis Alarcón (PP), expressed her satisfaction with how the event went: "I'm delighted to see the park hosting a major sporting event that has brought many people to watch the matches and visit the area of the park we have opened up". The last event in this national circuit will take place in Gran Canaria from the 27th to the 30th of November.
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