Rob Cassidy played alongside a fresh face at the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open. 

Cassidy partnered with 14-year-old Adam Cheney in men's doubles.

The tandem enjoyed success at Little Valley Pickleball Complex, making their way through qualifying before falling to Julian Arnold and Rafa Hewett in straight games in the Round of 32.

The backstory that brought Cassidy and Cheney together is rather interesting.

In 2024, the pair joined forces for some rec games. And like any kid with professional pickleball aspirations, Cheney asked Cassidy what it would take for them to reunite at a PPA Tour event. 

“I said that if he reached his 5.0 mark by this year, we would play the Red Rock Open together,” said Cassidy. “That promise was kept up on his end and my end. We played together and it was awesome.”

Cheney relished every second of the experience.

“I’m so happy I got to play with him. It was awesome. All my friends were like, ‘No, you’re not going to play with him.’ But, I took him seriously, so I worked hard.”

Cassidy and Cheney actually ran into each other in Arizona before the Red Rock tournament, and the youngster informed Cassidy that he leveled up his game.

That was definitely on full display in the Beehive State.

Losing to Arnold and Hewett stung, of course, but Cassidy and Cheney already have plans to partner up again in Utah next year.

“Adam’s going to be on the pro tour one day, so watch out,” said Cassidy. 

Talk about a dream come true for this Junior PPA product.

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