Guest article by Laurent Fahrni - Pro Pickleball brand ambassador
Those who know me know that I'm not known for making impulsive decisions (anymore). 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 was able to try out the ProXR Zane Navratil Carbon 14 "The Standard", which I had an excellent impression of. That same evening I also tested the ProXR Sweet Spot Max 16mm and again it was love at first sight.
Despite its 8.2 oz weight, I found the racket to be extremely light (a weight distribution that suited me very well) and very maneuverable, especially in the non-volley zone. I was also impressed with the control and spin the racket exuded. I was so convinced that I bought it straight away 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. This in itself is a remarkable achievement!
Montréal Open 2024 - Elite Pickleball Association - Joola EPA TOUR
The Montreal Open is a major pickleball tournament that took place from July 12 to 14, 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 against each other on this weekend in July in tropical heat (38 degrees).
My partner Gabrielle "Gaby" René and I had registered for the Mixed Doubles 4.0 (any age) category, as we knew that the competition would be fierce given the number of players registered. Some of the teams present are already regulars on the winners' podium in this category, while we were looking for experience in the 4.0 category. The day got off to a rather difficult start with a defeat in our group against a homogeneous team that surprised us with its style of play (especially intensive coaching).
After a few tactical adjustments, we then managed to rectify the game and get our first win of the day, which gave us confidence for the rest of the tournament. We managed to win both of our other pool matches, which secured us second place in our group and put us through to the quarter-finals. Our mission was accomplished, but we wanted to get as far as we could!
Our quarter-final went really well, as we won 15:4 against the team that had come third in the other group. In the semi-final, we faced a "big lump", the team of Karine and Tony, ULTRAs, who are used to playing finals in this category. Unfortunately, experience prevailed and we had to admit defeat despite putting up a good fight (which the score of 15:7 did not really reflect). The task was now clear, we absolutely had to win our battle for the bronze medal 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 adapted to our game and led 10:6 before we reduced our error rate and made them play extra balls. The tide turned and Gaby and I won 12:10 and it was official! Rookies' first podium finish in the 4.0 mixed!
At 40 years old, I was one of the oldest participants on the podium, which is a very encouraging sign for the future of pickleball in Quebec. A big thank you to my partner Gaby for a wonderful day, our positive attitude kept us going throughout the tournament. Thanks also to Magnus from Pro-Pickleball for the trust and support in pursuing my passion!
See you again in September at the legendary IGA Stadium (venue of the National Bank Omnium, formerly Rogers Cup or simply Canada Tournament, the Masters 1000 on Canadian soil) at the EPA Masters! LET'S GO, ROOKIES! Many thanks to Benoit Vincent for the photos throughout the tournament.
(Picture credits: BV-PickleballPhotos