North Carolina Open Surprises: Breakthrough Wins and Power Shifts Rock PPA Pickleball Scene
The North Carolina Open delivered seismic shocks to pickleball’s established order. The seemingly invincible duo of Waters and Johns fell to the Johnsons in mixed doubles, ending their legendary 48-2 finals record. Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson stunned the women’s doubles field, while Gabe Tardio dominated in both men’s doubles and singles. The tournament marked a dramatic power shift, as fresh challengers ultimately cracked the code to dethrone pickleball’s longtime rulers. The full story reveals even more surprising twists.
While the North Carolina Open typically showcases familiar faces on the winner’s podium, this year’s tournament turned the pickleball world upside down. The Johnsons – that’s Jorja and JW – shocked everyone by taking down the seemingly unbeatable duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in mixed doubles. Let that sink in: they beat a pair with a 48-2 record in finals. And they did it in five nerve-wracking games, including an 86-shot rally that had spectators holding their breath. It was an especially sweet victory considering their previous 1-8 record in finals against Waters and Johns.
The Johnsons stunned the pickleball world by defeating Waters and Johns, ending their near-perfect finals dynasty in an epic five-game thriller.
Young phenom Yuta Funemizu faced off against former tennis pro Donald Young in an electrifying round of 64 match. The match showcased the intense strategic gameplay that has made Ben Johns the current world number one. But wait, there’s more. The women’s doubles final saw another massive upset when Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson (yes, her again) crushed top seeds Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters. After dropping the opening game 1-11, they stormed back with a vengeance. Black was unstoppable, hammering out 14 Clean Winners and making the court her personal playground.
The men’s events weren’t short on drama either. Ben Johns, partnering with Gabe Tardio, barely escaped with a win in men’s doubles after an epic comeback from 8-1-2 down in the fourth game. Poor Federico Staksrud – that’s silver medal number four for him this season. Must be getting tired of second place.
Speaking of Tardio, he wasn’t done yet. He snagged the men’s singles title against Roscoe Bellamy in what could be called the “Battle of the Giants” – these guys are 6’2″ and 6’5″ respectively. Talk about looking up to your competition.
Kate Fahey completed the upset party by claiming her initial women’s singles title of 2025. Who saw that coming?
The tournament was a clear signal that the pickleball hierarchy is shifting. The days of predictable outcomes might be over. Waters’ iron grip on the sport shows signs of loosening, and new challengers are stepping up. Big time.
The North Carolina Open wasn’t just a tournament – it was a changing of the guard.
