On March 11th in Pickleball history, a significant event took place in 2023 that helped solidify the sport's growing popularity and mainstream appeal. The first-ever Pickleball World Championships, sanctioned by the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), kicked off on this day in Naples, Florida.

The event attracted over 2,000 players from 30 countries, competing across various age groups and skill levels. The tournament was held at the state-of-the-art Naples Pickleball Center, which boasted 50 dedicated pickleball courts, making it the largest pickleball facility in the world at the time.

One of the most exciting moments of the tournament came during the mixed doubles final, where the American duo of Lucy Kovalova and Matt Wright faced off against the Canadian pair of Catherine Parenteau and Tyson McGuffin. The match was a thrilling back-and-forth battle that ultimately ended with Kovalova and Wright clinching the gold medal in a nail-biting third set tiebreaker, 11-9.

The Pickleball World Championships also featured a celebrity charity event, where well-known figures from various fields participated to raise money for youth pickleball programs. Among the participants were tennis legend John McEnroe, who showcased his pickleball skills and entertaining on-court antics, much to the delight of the crowd.

The success of the 2023 Pickleball World Championships on March 11th helped to further establish pickleball as a global sport and paved the way for even greater growth and recognition in the years that followed.