John Lucian Goins has quickly become a name to circle whenever draws are released.

With standout singles results on the PPA Tour and a strong showing in Major League Pickleball, he enters the season with serious momentum.

In a recent appearance on the King of the Court podcast, Goins looked back on several pivotal moments that fueled his rise through the pro ranks.

One of Goins’ standout achievements is taking down Ben Johns in singles—not once, but twice. Beating the game’s G.O.A.T. is a statement. Doing it two times makes it hard to ignore.

King of the Court co-host Tyler Loong asked Goins what’s clicking in his game that’s led to those signature victories.

“Honestly, serving big and trying to pass him,” explained Goins. “If I keep the passes low, that works well against him because sometimes you’ll get a higher second volley.” 

Goins isn’t just elevating his game on the court—he’s doing it in the classroom, too, balancing pro competition with online classes at the University of Florida.

Another key chapter in his rise came when he was drafted by the St. Louis Shock at the start of the 2026 MLP season. There, he trained alongside top talent like Gabe Tardio, Hayden Patriquin, Anna Bright, and Kate Fahey

Bright even handed Goins her own MLP awards honor for the player you’d most want on your side in a DreamBreaker—a pretty high compliment.

Later, a trade sent Goins and teammate Elsie Hendershot to the Chicago Slice, where both players found another level and made the most of their opportunity.

“You were the best player on the court. It felt like once you got off the Shock, you were able to spread your wings,” said podcast co-host Jimmy Miller. “In my opinion, you took the biggest step up out of any player in pickleball during MLP.”

“It was a really great experience playing for the Slice. Honestly, getting traded was probably really big for me because I really appreciated getting to play,” mentioned Goins. “I’m grateful to the Shock for that move.”  

Looking ahead, Goins is confident in what the Slice can accomplish next season.

“I think the Slice has done a great job building for the future,” he praised. “We weren’t expecting to make the playoffs this year, but for next year, our goals are going to be much higher—especially during the offseason when we’ll get to do more reps and more practice.”

Goins has his sights set on achieving a few key goals right now.

“In singles, I’d like to make a couple more finals and maybe win one,” he confirmed. “In doubles, I’d like to make the semi-finals or just make a deep run. I want to keep improving my game and getting better.” 

But despite those wins and defining moments, one of Goins’ favorite accomplishments remains winning back-to-back singles titles at just 17 years old.

“I was really proud of that,” he concluded. 

To keep up to date on all things pickleball, follow us on Instagram. 

The Veolia Arizona Open runs Monday, September 14 through Sunday, September 20 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, AZ, and the professional draws for all five divisions of play have been released.

Live broadcast coverage starts Thursday, September 17 with the Round of 64 on Pickleballtv and the Pickleballtv App.

Click here for ticket information.

Here is the broadcast schedule:

Thursday:
2pm - 10pm Local (5pm - 1am ET) on Pickleballtv

Friday:
2pm - 10pm Local (5pm - 1am ET) on Pickleballtv
4pm - 6pm Local (7pm - 9pm ET) on FS1 (Exclusive)

Saturday:
2pm - 10pm Local (5pm - 1am ET) on Pickleballtv
4pm - 6pm Local (7pm - 9pm ET) on FS2

Sunday:
2pm - 7pm Local (5pm - 10pm ET) on Pickleballtv
4pm - 6pm Local (7pm - 9pm ET) on FS1 (Exclusive)

Here are the draws:

Men's Singles

Women's Singles

Men's Doubles

Women's Doubles

Mixed Doubles

As pro pickleball’s resident fashion journalist and self-appointed fashion police, it’s time to break down JW Johnson’s Tide Pod-inspired shirt from the Veolia Pickleball National Championships.

One thing that consistently stands out about Johnson is his willingness to push beyond the typical on-court style playbook. He doesn’t just show up, he experiments. And it works. Especially when paired alongside his mixed doubles partner and younger sister, Jorja Johnson, who has firmly established herself as a mainstay on any best dressed list. The two don’t just play well together, they dress the part, often coordinating in a way that feels intentional without being overdone.

Let’s be honest: dressing for mixed doubles can be surprisingly tricky. Striking that balance between matching and individuality isn’t easy. But JW is one of the few players I consistently look to for how it’s done right on the men’s side. Time and time again, he complements Jorja’s looks seamlessly, and more importantly, he leans into it.

JW has never shied away from bold fashion choices throughout his pickleball career. From vibrant colors to experimental patterns, he’s consistently shown a willingness to step outside the normand that deserves credit.

But with experimentation comes risk. Sometimes it pays off, and sometimes it misses the mark entirely. Take, for instance, the cow print pants he debuted back in 2023—still widely remembered as one of his more questionable fashion moments.

And this Tide Pod shirt might be the next addition to his list of infamous fashion swings.

Johnson debuted the look during the mixed doubles round of 64, and at first glance, the swirling green-and-white pattern immediately called to mind a kind of ‘70s psychedelic, disco-era tie-dye. It’s part of Nike’s Project F.R.O.G. collection, but a recognizable label doesn’t automatically make something a win. The fact that it’s described online as “glossy” only raises more questions, because if there’s any kind of sheen in person…that’s a tough sell.

It’s not great. But it’s not a total disaster either.

I’ll almost always side with a player who’s willing to try something different over someone who puts zero thought into their on-court look. Making a statement, even a polarizing one, beats playing it completely safe. And to be fair, I didn’t totally hate it at first. Yes, it’s visually loud, borderline overstimulating, but pairing it with matching green shorts at least gave the outfit some level of intention.

Caden Nemoff commented: “I literally saw it today and told him to burn it hahaha.”

Parris Todd, a Best Dressed List regular said: “Is this shirt a hindrance???”

But JW defended the shirt in the comments: “Haters gonna hate.”

However, JW didn’t bring the shirt back for the remainder of the event. Instead, he switched to a clean white t-shirt paired with his green shorts—a far more understated, streamlined look that ultimately earned him a spot on the tournament’s Best Dressed List.

Despite defending the original fit, he clearly opted not to run it back, which suggests the criticism may have landed more than he let on—or, as Nemoff joked, it may have “met its fate” off-court. At the very least, he didn’t wear it during the same event where he and Jorja down the No. 1 seeds. And frankly, losing while wearing a shirt compared to a Tide Pod would have been a tough narrative to escape. 

What do you think of JW’s Tide Pod shirt? Let us know on Instagram.

Thomas Wilson hasn’t competed in pro pickleball since 2024 due to prolonged respiratory struggles, but he’s still continuing to make his mark on the sport.

The 3-time PPA Tour gold medalist and Pickleballtv commentator announced Tuesday evening that he has founded a paddle company, Witness Pickleball, that will release its first paddle in the fall of 2026.

“Obviously, it’s still rough that I can’t compete at a high level because of my health, but I wanted to share that, for the last year or so, I’ve been working on making a different kind of comeback since I can’t play,” he revealed in an Instagram post.

“When I was on tour, a lot of pros and people around me knew that I was obsessed with paddles—tinkering with paddles, making weird modifications in my garage, and just trying things out,” he shared. “I’ve always had a thing for that, and now that I can’t play, just having more time, I thought that if I can make a paddle that I feel like I could win with and compete on tour with, I think a lot of other people would like it too.”

After having spent time in China meeting with different manufacturers, Wilson says that the company has settled on a paddle that is expected to hit the market before year’s end.

“I’ve tried an endless amount of prototypes, just finding and looking for that feel that I would bring on tour, and we’ve finally narrowed it down to a paddle that we’re planning to launch this fall,” he said.

Click here to learn more about Witness Pickleball.

In the comments, Waters added a bit more intrigue, saying, “I’ll tell you this… it rhymes with chrome”—a not-so-subtle hint that the paddle could feature a foam core.

She continued to use the “?” paddle throughout the Veolia Pickleball National Championships, but the real development came as more players were spotted with the same mystery design—suggesting this isn’t just a one-off tease, but something much bigger on the horizon.

Franklin pro Hayden Patriquin, however, wasn’t among those using the mystery paddle. Could that have anything to do with his much-talked-about feud with Waters? Probably not, but it’s a funny theory to entertain.

What’s undeniable, though, is how well Franklin is playing this rollout. The brand is leaning into the mystery, building real anticipation and curiosity, and it’s clearly working.

Because let’s be honest: paddle launches don’t always move the needle. It feels like every month there’s a “game-changing” release, a new core, or some breakthrough tech that’s supposed to revolutionize performance. It can be equal parts overwhelming and underwhelming once the reviews roll in.

But this? This is different. Franklin is proving that a paddle drop can actually be fun, especially when the pros are in on it.

It’s one thing to get a new paddle into the hands of top pros before it hits the market—giving fans a first look at what their favorite players are using.

But what stands out here is how much fun Franklin is having with it. This isn’t just a soft launch, it’s a full-on tease, and it’s working.

The question mark design is almost laughably simple, yet incredibly effective. It does exactly what it’s supposed to do: spark curiosity. I can’t help but wonder what’s underneath, what kind of tech it features, and what makes it different. It feels like a mystery box you’re dying to open.

And when that mystery is being used by the best players in the world? That just makes it even more compelling.

Consider me hooked. I’m very ready to see what Franklin has been hiding.

What do you think about the mysterious paddle? Let us know on Instagram.

There will be no shortage of star power at this week’s PPA Tour Asia Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup, which runs Wednesday through Sunday in Malaysia.

Here are the notable storylines and matchups to watch:

Rivals-turned-partners lead men’s doubles draw

Gabe Tardio and Noe Khlif join forces just weeks after facing off at the MLP Finals. Their projected semifinal is against Eunggwon Kim and Hong Kit Wong. Waiting on the other side of the draw are Augie Ge and Len Yang, with Tama Shimabukuro and Yuta Funemizu also lurking in that half.

Two hot hands on collision course in men’s singles

Noe Khlif draws a test straight away, with a projected quarterfinal against Luc Pham. Pham has been one of the top players on the circuit—a finalist at the MB Ho Chi Minh City Open and a semifinalist in Shenzhen during his last two stops. Elsewhere, top seed Zane Ford headlines a half that also features Eunggwon Kim and Harrison Brown, while three-time champion Hong Kit Wong anchors the opposite end with Tama Shimabukuro and Kenta Miyoshi in his path.

Danger everywhere in women’s singles

Kaitlyn Christian takes the top seed with real Malaysian pedigree after claiming gold at the Panas Malaysia Cup last year. Her projected quarterfinal, however, could prove challenging. Anni Xie lurks in that section, but would need to defeat Judit Castillo to earn a shot at Christian. The bottom half is stacked just as deep. Chao Yi Wang, Yufei Long, and Rika Fujiwara all sit on that side, with Brooke Buckner anchoring it. Christian and Buckner are projected finalists—a potential rematch of their MB Hanoi Cup final earlier this year.

Tardio and Christian go for two

Gabe Tardio could add more hardware to his trophy case when he partners with Jessie Irvine in mixed doubles. Kaitlyn Christian is also in the running for multiple titles by playing women's doubles with veteran Allyce Jones and mixed doubles with Eunggwon Kim.

Live coverage of the tournament is available via the PPA Tour Asia YouTube channel.

Click here for broadcast information.

Jorja Johnson and Hurricane Tyra Black

Johnson and Black were the team I was most excited to watch heading into this tournament. I’d really missed their bold, experimental style on court. Unsurprisingly, they delivered look after look all week long.

I couldn’t pick just one favorite, so they’re all getting the spotlight. They opened the tournament in vibrant green Lululemon tops that popped on court—Jorja paired hers with a pirouette skirt from Popflex Active, while Tyra opted for a matching green skirt to complete the look.

Gio Morelli

Morelli is quickly becoming one of my go-to players when it comes to pro pickleball fashion. She consistently shows up looking her best, and I love how she leans into trending patterns. In North Carolina, she delivered two standout looks—starting with a blue and maroon striped set in mixed doubles (with a similar version spotted at Altar’d State).

Ashely Griffith

JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson

The mixed doubles team that stunned No. 1 seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns didn’t just deliver the biggest upset of the tournament—they won the style battle, too. Johnson and Johnson were perfectly in sync in a dark forest green Wilson set, a masterclass in coordinated doubles fashion. There are even J. Pritchard lookalikes for both looks: one for Jorja and one for JW. It’s yet another reminder that when you look your best, you tend to play your best, too. 

Sofia Sewing

Sewing made her PPA Tour debut in North Carolina and I was incredibly curious to see what her fashion game looked like. And I’m happy to report, Sewing delivered. This light purple set she wore to play women’s singles was a standout look to me. Clad in a lilac top and matching bubble hem skirt, Sewing looked so effortlessly chic. Styled with all white accessories, this look was simply a win. 

Marcela Aguila Ampon

Anna Leigh Waters

Waters was the pro I was most curious to see style-wise at this event. I’ll admit not every look landed for me, but this reddish-pink set was a clear standout. The Nike fitted tee paired with a sleek fit-and-flare skort felt both polished and put-together. I also loved how her white and red shoes tied everything together, and even her Pilla sunglasses complemented the look. A sharp, cohesive outfit from head to toe.

What was your favorite look from North Carolina? Let us know on Instagram.

“Since I was very little, Singapore has been on my bucket list. I’ve been wanting to go for a long time, and now that pickleball is getting involved in Singapore, it was just the perfect occasion for me to go and play,” Tardio told The Straits Times writer Melvyn Teoh in a recent interview.

“One thing I’m going to be talking a lot about is pattern recognition, and you’re going to have a better understanding of how the game is played and what you are actually looking for. A lot of clinics just show you how to hit the ball, but if you really want to get to the professional level, you cannot only be good at hitting the shots.”

Tardio previously visited Asia in April, spending time in Vietnam for PPA Tour Asia's MB Hanoi Cup where he won men’s doubles gold alongside Johns.

“It was amazing and it was a lot of fun. I personally love travelling, I love getting to know other countries, so it was a great experience,” he told Teoh. “The pickleball surprised me a lot. I was not expecting the tournament to be such a premier experience, the fans were going crazy, and it’s something that you don’t always have in the US. It’s not a crazy difference, but I think definitely in Vietnam, the venue was bigger, more stadium-like, and in the US you would have a venue that has much fewer courts.”

But how was the actual level of play?

“I’d rate it a solid seven or eight. I think there were a lot of good players, especially for singles – the person who won the tournament was actually someone from Vietnam (Ly Hoang Nam), so the level is definitely up there,” Tardio told Teoh. 

“I don’t think they’re super far behind. I would say the main thing is just how it’s tough getting better when you don’t have high-level practice. That could easily stop being the case once the players from Asia go to the US, or more US players come to Asia, and they learn each other’s games. I think the level is going to get closer and closer, and in two to three years, we could easily see an Asian player in the top 10, maybe top five.”

Click here to follow Tardio's journey on Instagram.

If you feel stuck at the 4.0 level, you’re not alone—and you’re not as far off as you think.

The biggest misconception? That everyone else has it figured out. In reality, players at this level all have gaps, especially in the soft game. The difference comes down to strategy, discipline, and a few key habits.

Here’s how to finally break through, according to professional pickleball coach and athlete Tanner Tomassi.

1. Stop trying to be a hero

At 4.0, consistency beats flash.

Instead of going for highlight-reel winners, focus on extending rallies and letting your opponent make mistakes. The longer the point, the more pressure shifts to them.

Your goal isn’t to win spectacularly, it’s to win smart.

2. Prioritize getting to the kitchen

The kitchen line is where points are won.

Too many players stay back and fire drive after drive, only to lose control of the rally. A better approach:

• - Hit a third-shot drive
• - Follow it with a controlled fifth-shot drop
• - Work your way forward

This “drive then drop” combo creates opportunities to move up instead of getting stuck in no-man’s land.

3. Master paddle tracking

One of the fastest ways to level up? Fix your paddle position.

When the ball is on your opponent’s side, your paddle should already be up and ready. This puts you in a proactive position instead of reacting late.

Lazy paddles lead to late hands—and lost points.

4. Think neutral before winning

You can’t go from defense to offense in one shot.

Every rally follows a progression:
Losing → Neutral → Winning

If you’re stretched or out of position, don’t try to hit a winner. Reset the ball, regain balance, and get back to neutral first.

Patience here is what separates good players from great ones.

5. Fix your footwork at the kitchen

Missed dinks usually aren’t about touch, they’re about movement.

Standing flat-footed or on your heels makes consistency nearly impossible. Instead:

• - Stay active on your feet
• - Move your hips behind the ball
• - Adjust constantly

Good footwork turns tough dinks into routine shots.

6. Win more hands battles

At the kitchen, direction matters more than power.

Many players hit straight at their opponent’s chest, leading to neutral exchanges. To gain the edge:

• - Get on top of the ball
• - Aim down toward your opponent’s feet

This forces them to hit up, giving you the advantage on the next shot.

7. Make opponents earn the kitchen

Don’t give your opponents a free pass to the line.

The hardest shot in pickleball is the reset, so force them to hit it. Apply pressure early and make their transition uncomfortable.

If they walk to the kitchen easily, you’re already behind.

8. Follow the return checklist

Every return should follow a simple decision process:

1. - Can you take it out of the air? Do it.
2. - If it bounces, create space.
3. - Step back and drive the ball with intent.

What you don’t want to do? Stand still and scoop it back. That’s a recipe for losing control of the point.

Breaking out of 4.0 “jail” isn’t about adding flashy shots, it’s about sharpening the fundamentals:

• - Extend rallies
• - Control the kitchen
• - Stay proactive
• - Move your feet
• - Play with intention

Do these consistently, and you won’t just escape 4.0, you’ll leave it behind.

Top pickleball pros spend as much time drilling as they do playing rec games—and they each have their go-to routines.

World No. 1 singles player Chris Haworth keeps his favorite drill simple.

“For singles, I do a lot of drop-feeding drills. All you need is a partner and a basket of balls. Have them stand on the same side of the net as you, they drop balls in, and you hit 100 balls in five minutes,” he explained. “Then pick them up, move to a different spot, and do it again. Hit forehands down the line, forehands cross-court, etc. It’s all about repetition, hitting as many balls as you can, and getting a feel for every shot.”

For his part, Christian Alshon has always been a big advocate of wall drills.  

“I always recommend hitting against the wall. I know it can be boring and mundane, but it’s great if you don’t have a partner to drill with. It really helps you develop fast hands,” he insisted. “If you think about it, if you stand from the kitchen line to the wall, it’s 50% shorter distance, so it’s going to make your reflexes faster. You need fast hands to be good at the game.”

On the women’s side, Isabella Dunlap suggested drilling your third shot.  

“Drilling thirds are super important for me and my game,” she mentioned. “I recommend working on your thirds as much as possible because it allows you to get up to the net during a point.”

Dunlap suggested this particular drill for thirds. 

Have your partner stand at the kitchen line while you stand at the baseline on the opposite side. Then, your partner feeds you a ball and you drive the ball back, they block it, and you drop your return into the kitchen.

For Michael Loyd, the most effective drills often come back to the basics.

“You need to hit baskets of balls on serve and return. Nobody does it, and they’re missing out,” he said. “The serve in singles is becoming more and more of a weapon, so I highly recommend utilizing that and perfecting it. I swear, practicing your serve a lot is going to help you jump up half a level, especially if you’re a beginner.”

“Everyone should play more skinny singles because it encompasses all facets of the game,” he noted. “You’re hitting serves, thirds, mid-court, and kitchen stuff. If there’s one drill more people should do, it’s just playing skinny singles.”

Connor Garnett is another top pro who emphasizes wall work, recommending a simple but effective volley drill against the wall.

“I like a wall volley drill. Stand about two steps away from the wall and hit one backhand, one forehand, and just keep alternating that back and forth,” he explained. “It allows you to keep the body fully engaged, and if you can do 50 of them consecutively pretty easily, then you’re starting to engage the kinetic chain. Don’t take too big of a swing or try to poke the ball, just try to be in a more flowy natural kind of swing.”

To keep up to date on all things pickleball, follow us on Instagram.

Championship Sunday certinaly delivered at the Veolia Pickleball National Championships in North Carolina.

The key storyline was top-ranked Anna Leigh Waters capturing her 195th and 196th career titles, moving her within four of the 200 mark on the PPA Tour.

Here’s a breakdown of every matchup on Humana Championship Court:

Women's Doubles
(1) Anna Bright / Anna Leigh Waters def. (2) Jorja Johnson / Hurricane Tyra Black
11-5, 11-6, 11-3

Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters made easy work of Jorja Johnson and Tyra Hurricane Black with a dominant straight-games performance.

It was Bright and Waters’ 24th career title together.

Following a hard-fought MLP campaign that saw Bright and her St. Louis Shock teammates ultimately come up short versus Waters and the New Jersey 5s in the MLP Finals, Bright was thrilled to reign supreme alongside her regular partner again.

“We obviously played against each other a lot this season. I think our teams played each other five times, which was kind of tough,” explained Bright. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s my girl on the other side of the net all the time.’ I’m just really proud of how we were able to come together and kind of work out some of the kinks that we were having after not playing together for a few months. We played a lot of good teams here. I’m just really proud of us for being able to get the win.”

Men's Doubles
(1) Ben Johns / Gabe Tardio def. (2) Andrei Daescu / Christian Alshon
11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5

The dynamic duo of Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio remain undefeated in the 2026 calendar year (54-0) after besting Andrei Daescu and Christian Alshon in four games.

It marked Johns and Tadio’s 19th career title together.

Tardio was especially pleased with the victory that came shortly before heading to the airport to board a flight to Asia where he’ll compete in the upcoming Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup with Noe Khlif.

“I was pretty excited [about competing for the title with Ben]. It was the first time since MLP. Winning is going to give us a little momentum, so I was super excited to get it done,” said Tardio. “It’s been some chaotic weeks, especially after MLP, and now I’m going to Asia. I’ve been playing a lot of pickleball, and I’m just looking forward to the next tournaments and more tournaments with Ben.”

Mixed Doubles
(2) Anna Bright / Hayden Patriquin def. (3) Jorja Johnson / JW Johnson
11-9, 11-3, 11-7

St. Louis Shock teammates Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin swept Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson in convincing fashion in the last doubles match of the day.

It marked Bright and Patriquin’s second career title together.

“This one means a ton,” insisted Bright. “We just came from a pretty painful loss in New York City [in the MLP Finals], so I’m really proud of us for coming back and bouncing back and bringing some of our best stuff all week.”

“It feels amazing,” added Patriquin. “I think losing in New York lit a fire under my butt.”

Despite coming up short in the championship match, the Johnsons were still satisfied with their showing in the Tar Heel State, especially after defeating Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in a notable semifinal upset on Saturday.

“I’m just proud of battling through it,” said Jorja. “Everyone in these finals has come straight from New York, and I’m sure we’re all really tired. I was telling myself, ‘Last day, so give it your all.’ And I think we did that.”

Women's Singles
(1) Anna Leigh Waters def. (2) Kate Fahey
11-1, 11-9

After Anna Leigh Waters dominated the opening game, Kate Fahey made things interesting in the second, but it wasn’t enough to beat the most accomplished player on the planet.

The 19-year-old superstar hasn’t lost a singles match since May 30, 2024 (830 days).

It was Waters' 64th career singles title.

“It definitely stacks up there,” said Waters, when asked about the significance of her latest triumph. “But I really couldn’t do what I do without my mom [Leigh]. She’s my rock. Yesterday, she really picked me up when I needed it most, and today she just told me to go out there and do what I do best. I couldn’t do it without you, mom. I love you so much.”

As far as reaching 200 career titles is concerned, Waters is staying grounded in the moment.

“I try not to look at it too much, honestly. I feel like when I do, sometimes I feel the pressure of having to continue to do it, so I just really focus on competing and training,” she mentioned. “But every day I’m very grateful and thankful that I get to play professional pickleball as my job.”

Men's Singles
(3) Hunter Johnson def. (2) Federico Staksrud
7-11, 11-3, 11-0

After dropping the opening game to Federico Staksrud, Hunter Johnson stormed back to complete an emphatic victory.

Johnson, who ousted top seed Chris Haworth in the semis on Saturday, earned the ninth singles title of his career and secured his first singles crown since March.

"I just focused on what I was doing all week, which was just going through the ball and hitting it. I was stuck back again, just like against Haworth, and I just kind of told myself, 'Hey, get back in it! Keep swinging!' I'm trying to penetrate and hit as much spin as I can to have them make the small errors, and luckily I was able to land a lot more balls in the second and third," explained Johnson. "Unfortunately, he gassed out. He had a long night last night. He's a great champion as well. We're going to meet many more times, so we'll see each other in another final."

Admittedly, Staksrud was dealing with illness and fatigue.

"I've been feeling a little cold all week. I've been battling. Honestly, after the first game, I ran out of energy. I didn't have anything left in the tank," he admitted. "But also Hunter was hitting balls to the lines, and even if I was feeling good, I probably wouldn't be getting those anyways, so kudos to him. He's a great champ."

The PPA Tour schedule resumes with the Veolia Arizona Open from September 14-20 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, AZ.

Click here for ticket information.