Pickleball Singles Battle for Sunday’s Championship

A livestream screenshot of the Select Medical Orange County Cup pickleball tournament in San Clemente, Calif., on June 10, 2022. Screenshot via YouTube/PPA Tour - Professional Pickleball Association

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—Starting the first heat of the Men’s Open Pro division of the Select Medical Orange County Cup player Kyle McMakin stepped foot on the clean blue pickleball court clad in cowboy attire, including a red and white cowboy hat and a freshly cut mustache as he prepared himself to return a serve from Jay Devilliers, known in pickleball circles as “The Frenchman.”

“They are two funny guys and they like to have a lot of fun on the court,” announcer Hannah Johns said. “They always put on a good show.”

Pickleball—a mix of badminton, ping pong, and tennis—is one of the fastest-growing sports in America.

Devilliers won the first point of the match.

“I know the Vegas odds are probably like 8,000 for Jay [Devilliers] to win,” a man commented on a live YouTube live feed of the match. “But damn would it be cool for the cowboy to win.”

Pickleball player Kyle McMakin is shown in a livestream screenshot of the Select Medical Orange County Cup pickleball tournament in San Clemente, Calif., on June 10, 2022. Screenshot via YouTube/PPA Tour - Professional Pickleball Association

Shortly after, McMakin countered and won a few points of his own.

Both men are “top seeds” in this year’s tournament, according to the Professional Pickleball Association.

After three brief sets, Devilliers claimed victory and will now move on hoping to earn his way into the championship game on June 12 at 10:30 a.m.

The Select Medical Orange County Cup—with 984 registered players—is running through June 12 at the Lifetime Fitness Rancho San Clemente (111 Avenida Vista Montana, San Clemente). Tickets: $25 for a grounds pass to $2,000 for a courtside cabana.