CARY, NC – North Carolina is a pickleball hotspot.

With several pros residing near the Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Cup in Cary, the locals arrived on-site eager to hit the court. 

On Tuesday, Brooke Buckner and Jack Sock participated in the Pro Challenge, which provided amateurs with the opportunity to test their skills against them, and learn some valuable tips and tricks along the way, too.

Right in the middle of the match, though, Sock had to step out after being selected sixth overall in the 2024 MLP Draft. Fellow North Carolina pro, Eric Roddy, filled in.

The amateurs went head-to-head with the pros at the kitchen line, first as opponents, and then as teammates in doubles.

The amateurs certainly held their own. From Junior PPA kids maintaining long rallies to a few adults hitting sneaky speedups, the pro challenge was a success. 

It’s events like this that make these tournaments so incredibly special.

The access to pro players is simply unmatched.

Signing your child up for a youth clinic with a veteran like Allyce Jones, for example, is a chance to learn from one of the best in the business.

When the PPA Tour says “Play where the pros play,” this is another prime example of that.