On April 27th, 2018, a significant event took place in the world of pickleball. The first-ever US Open Pickleball Championships concluded at the East Naples Community Park in Naples, Florida. The tournament, which began on April 21st, attracted over 1,300 players from 42 states and 15 countries, making it the largest pickleball tournament in history at the time.

The event featured both professional and amateur divisions, with players competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories across various age groups. The tournament's highlight was the thrilling men's professional singles final between Kyle Yates and Ben Johns, two of the sport's rising stars.

In a closely contested match, Kyle Yates emerged victorious with a score of 11-8, 3-11, 11-7, securing the title and a cash prize of $4,000. The women's professional singles final was equally exciting, with Simone Jardim defeating Christine McGrath 11-6, 11-2 to claim the championship.

The US Open Pickleball Championships not only showcased the sport's rapid growth and popularity but also helped to establish pickleball as a serious competitive sport. The event received extensive media coverage, including live streaming on the US Open Pickleball Championships' website and Facebook page, exposing the sport to a wider audience.

The success of the 2018 US Open Pickleball Championships paved the way for future tournaments and contributed to the sport's continued expansion. It also demonstrated the increasing level of skill and athleticism among pickleball players, as well as the growing prize pools and sponsorship opportunities available in the sport.