North Carolina Open Surprises: Breakthrough Wins and Power Shifts Rock PPA Pickleball Scene
The 2025 North Carolina Open shattered expectations as underdog Gabe Tardio toppled #1 seed Federico Staksrud in a jaw-dropping semifinal. Tardio wasn’t done there – he paired with Ben Johns to dominate men’s doubles too. Kate Fahey clawed back from a brutal initial-game loss to claim women’s singles, while Salome Devidze knocked off #4 Brooke Buckner. Not a single top seed grabbed gold, proving pickleball’s old guard better watch their backs. The tournament’s dramatic upsets signal major changes ahead in professional pickleball’s pecking order.
While top seeds typically dominate professional pickleball tournaments, the 2025 PPA Tour‘s North Carolina Open flipped the script entirely. In an unprecedented turn of events, not a single #1 seed managed to grab gold across any major category. So much for predictability in professional pickleball.
The six-day event at Cary Tennis Park showcased some jaw-dropping upsets. Gabe Tardio shocked spectators by taking down #1 Federico Staksrud in the semi-finals, then went on to claim the men’s singles title. Kate Fahey emerged victorious in women’s singles, with Parris Todd and Lea Jansen rounding out the podium. Salome Devidze added to the drama by outplaying #4 Brooke Buckner in another stunning upset. The determined Kate Fahey showed remarkable resilience after losing game one 4-11 before mounting her comeback victory. The tournament used the Vulcan VPro Flight Outdoor ball for all professional matches.
The tournament, which ran from April 1-6, drew 336 registered players – a mix of amateurs and pros sharing the same courts. Talk about rubbing shoulders with greatness. Registration opened back in December 2024, with early birds snagging the $95 entry fee before it jumped to $105 after February. The low-impact nature of pickleball made it accessible for players of all skill levels to participate.
Where else can you play alongside the pros for under $100? The NC Open delivered that rare opportunity to 336 lucky players.
Mixed doubles saw the dynamic duo of Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson clinch gold, while Gabe Tardio wasn’t done collecting hardware – he paired up with Ben Johns to dominate men’s doubles.
Amateur matches got their moment in the spotlight too, with live YouTube streaming bringing the action to viewers worldwide.
These unexpected results signal a major power shift in professional pickleball. The era when top seeds could coast to victory on reputation alone has ended. The increasing parity among players suggests the sport’s competitive landscape is evolving rapidly, and nobody’s position is safe anymore.
The tournament’s success extends beyond just the surprising outcomes. With extensive amateur participation, professional matches, and streaming coverage, the North Carolina Open exemplifies pickleball’s growing appeal. The sport’s future looks anything but predictable – and that’s exactly what makes it exciting.
