On September 21st in Pickleball history, a momentous event took place in 2019 that helped solidify the sport's growing popularity and mainstream appeal. The first-ever U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, sanctioned by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), concluded on this date at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.

The tournament, which began on September 17th, attracted over 1,000 players from across the United States and several other countries. Participants competed in various skill levels and age divisions, ranging from amateur to professional, and in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.

One of the highlights of the tournament was the thrilling men's pro singles final between Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin. Johns, a rising star in the pickleball world, managed to defeat the seasoned veteran McGuffin in a closely contested match, winning 11-8, 9-11, 11-4. This victory helped establish Johns as one of the most promising young talents in the sport.

The women's pro singles final was equally exciting, with Irina Tereschenko facing off against Lucy Kovalova. Tereschenko, known for her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play, prevailed over Kovalova in straight sets, 11-7, 11-9, to claim the title.

The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships also featured an array of celebrity players, including tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who participated in the mixed doubles event. The presence of such high-profile athletes helped draw attention to the tournament and the sport as a whole.

The success of the 2019 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships on September 21st demonstrated the growing enthusiasm for pickleball and its potential to become a major racquet sport in the United States and beyond. The tournament set the stage for future high-stakes competitions and helped introduce pickleball to a wider audience, contributing to its continued growth and development in the years that followed.