New Jersey 5’s And Brooklyn Aces Win Titles At Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Tournament

Sunday, July 14th, was a monumental day in global sports, featuring the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s final, the European Championship final, the Copa America final, and the MLB draft. Amidst this frenzy, the 2024 Major League Pickleball mid-season tournament hosted its finals, broadcasted on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel. The tournament, officially titled the 2024 Advil Targeted Relief MLP Mid-Season Tournament, reverted to an end-to-end competition format, culminating in winners being awarded and money disbursed by the weekend's end.

The Premier competition saw intense matches with the New Jersey 5’s emerging victorious. Anna Leigh Waters showcased her dominance, leading her team to victory by winning both her matches and excelling in the DreamBreaker. The DC men, particularly Dekel Bar and James Ignatowich, displayed outstanding performances but narrowly missed the title. The Challenger competition featured thrilling games with the Brooklyn Aces claiming their first defeat of 2024 against Las Vegas in the finals, thanks to Pablo Tellez’s exceptional performance.

The weekend highlighted the growing popularity of pickleball, with new player substitutions and intense matchups reflecting the dynamic nature of the sport. Observations from the tournament suggest a clear divide in the Premier league and potential format reconsiderations for future MLP events. As pickleball continues to expand, upcoming tournaments and events promise even more excitement for fans and players alike.