Guest post by Laurent Fahrni – Pro Pickleball brand ambassador
Those who know me are aware that I'm no longer known for making impulsive decisions. After a (too) long search for a replacement for my trusty Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, I still couldn't find the right one, as there were so many options, until one evening I had the chance to try out the ProXR Zane Navratil Carbon 14 "The Standard," which made an excellent impression on me. That same evening, I also tested the ProXR Sweet Spot Max 16mm, and it was love at first sight with that one too.
Despite its weight of 8.2 oz, I found the racket extremely light (a weight distribution that suited me perfectly) and very maneuverable, especially in the non-volley zone. I was also impressed by the control and spin the racket offered. I was so convinced that I bought it immediately and decided to use it at the biggest summer pickleball tournament in Quebec, the Montreal OPEN (Elite Pickleball Association – Joola EPA TOUR), which took place just a few days later. That in itself is quite an achievement!
Montreal Open 2024 – Elite Pickleball Association – Joola EPA TOUR
The Montreal Open is a major pickleball tournament that took place from July 12th to 14th, 2024, at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex in Montreal. The tournament is part of the Joola EPA Tour, which consists of three major tournaments (Montréal Open, EPA Masters, and Quebec Open). Players from all over Quebec, Ontario, and even some professionals from the USA competed that weekend in July in tropical heat (38 degrees Celsius).
My partner Gabrielle “Gaby” René and I had registered for the Mixed Doubles 4.0 (any age) category, knowing that the competition would be fierce given the number of registered players. Some of the teams present are already regulars on the podium in this category, while we were looking to gain experience in the 4.0 category. The day started rather difficult with a loss in our group against a very cohesive team whose playing style (especially their intense poaching) surprised us.
After some tactical adjustments, we managed to turn things around and secure our first win of the day, which boosted our confidence for the rest of the tournament. We won our other two pool matches, securing second place in our group and advancing to the quarterfinals. Our mission was accomplished, but we wanted to go as far as possible!
Our quarter-final went really well, as we won 15-4 against the team that had finished third in the other group. In the semi-final, we faced a tough opponent, Karine and Tony's team, ULTRAs who are used to finals in this category. Unfortunately, experience prevailed, and despite putting up a good fight (which the 15-7 score doesn't really reflect), we had to admit defeat. The task was now clear: we absolutely had to win our bronze medal match against the team we had lost to at the very beginning of the day. We won the first set in the best possible way (11-6) by meticulously implementing our previously discussed strategy. The second set was particularly difficult, as our opponents adjusted to our game and led 10-6 before we reduced our error rate and forced them to play extra balls. The tide turned, and Gaby and I won 12-10. Now it was official! Rookies' first podium finish in the 4.0 Mixed!
At 40, I was one of the oldest participants on the podium, which is a very encouraging sign for the future of pickleball in Quebec. A huge thank you to my partner Gaby for this wonderful day; our positive attitude fueled us throughout the entire tournament. Many thanks also to Magnus from Pro-Pickleball for his trust and support in pursuing my passion!
See you in September at the legendary IGA Stadium (home of the National Bank Omnium, formerly the Rogers Cup or simply the Canada Tournament, the Masters 1000 on Canadian soil) for the EPA Masters! LET'S GO, ROOKIES! Many thanks to Benoit Vincent for the photos throughout the tournament.
(Image credit: BV-PickleballFotos)
