ST. GEORGE — The Little Valley Pickleball Courts will be packed full of paddle-wielding professionals, pundits and players this week as the Carvana Professional Pickleball Tour returns to St. George for the third year in a row.

The Selkirk Red Rock Open conducted its first day of pickleball action at Little Valley Wednesday afternoon.

The pickleball complex buzzed with players and spectators and parking spaces were at a premium on the first of the four-day event.

“I think it’s an awesome event and I love St. George,” pickleball pro Lucy Kovalova told St. George News while she took in some of the games.

“I’ve been coming here the previous two years. The first year it was snowing,” Kovalova added. “Last year it was much better weather. I always love to come back to St. George. It’s just a beautiful town with great people and this facility is just awesome.” 

According to the Carvana PPA Tour website, Kovalova is No. 1 in the world in Women’s Doubles with partner Simone Jardim and is No. 2 in the world in Mixed Doubles with on- and off-court partner Matt Wright.

Kovalova said that individually she’s ranked in the top five in the world and four of those players will be competing in St. George.

“It’s the best you can get. We’re here competing, everybody wants the trophy,” Kovalova said. “Everybody wants to finish first, but bottom line, we are here to have fun, compete hard and if we win, that’s great.”

Originally from Slovakia, Kovalova now resides in Wichita, Kansas, where she is a pickleball coach and instructor at a country club.

“Pickleball has been growing like crazy,” she said. “You see so many public parks moving more towards pickleball, you see country clubs moving towards pickleball. It’s awesome to see the growth and the potential for what the sport can be in the future.” 

According to a press release, the Red Rock Open runs through Saturday. It attracts professional and amateur pickleball players and features over 1,000 registered athletes.

Thousands of spectators and fans are expected to attend the event. Food trucks are set up, and it’s a family atmosphere with fans often bringing along their dogs.

Divisions include men’s and women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Other divisions include competition for age groups: 19+, 35+, 50+, 60+ and 70+.

Seven of the world’s top pickleball professionals call Utah home including Spencer Smith, Chuck Taylor, Tyler Loong, Etta Wright, Callie Jo Smith, Allyce Jones and Meghan Dizon.

Men’s No. 2 in the world Riley Newman, Women’s No. 2 Catherine Parenteau, Tyson McGuffin (Men’s Top 5) and Anna Bright (Women’s Top 5) are expected to compete this week at Little Valley.

According to the press release, on average, PPA Tour events have an estimated total economic impact of $2.75 million, attracting fans and players from around the world.

Action from Little Valley this week will be streamed at PPA TV on YouTube and at tennischannel.com.

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