Underdogs Rise: Rohrabacher & Patriquin Defy Odds for 2025 Red Rock Open Mixed Doubles Win
Rachel Rohrabacher and Hayden Patriquin shocked the pickleball world at the 2025 Red Rock Open in St. George, Utah. The unlikely duo dominated the Mixed Doubles championship, despite being virtual unknowns before the tournament. Playing on the Humana Championship Court at 2,860 feet elevation, they outmaneuvered a stacked field – even without big names like Ben Johns and Anna Bright present. Their flawless communication and precise strategy proved that sometimes the best stories come from unexpected places.
In a stunning display of pickleball prowess, underdogs Rachel Rohrabacher and Hayden Patriquin shocked the crowd at the Little Valley Pickleball Complex in St. George, Utah, clinching an unexpected victory in the 2025 Red Rock Open Mixed Doubles championship. Nobody saw this coming. Not even close.
The tournament, running from March 26-30, was missing some heavy hitters. No Ben Johns. No Anna Bright. No Tyson McGuffin. But that didn’t matter to Rohrabacher and Patriquin. They came to play, and play they did. Against all odds, they powered through match after match, including a brutal showdown with Rane and Garnett in the early rounds. Playing at 2,860 feet elevation, the highest altitude on the 2025 PPA Tour, demanded quick adaptation from all competitors. Their graphite paddles proved essential for maintaining control in the challenging conditions.
The victory was especially sweet considering the star-studded field they had to navigate. Catherine Parenteau and Christian Alshon were the favorites. The Johnson siblings were there. Even former tennis pro Jack Sock showed up with Kaitlyn Christian. But Rohrabacher and Patriquin? They weren’t even on the radar when the tournament began. The PPA FOX debut added extra pressure to their historic performance.
The championship match, broadcast live on FOX’s exclusive two-hour window, had fans at the Little Valley Complex on their feet. The Humana Championship Court became their stage, and they owned it. Patriquin, already a multiple title holder with other partners, found perfect chemistry with Rohrabacher. Their communication was flawless. Their strategy? Impeccable.
The tournament’s hybrid format of Open and Progressive draws worked in their favor. While established partnerships like Etta Tuionetoa and Federico Staksrud dominated early headlines, Rohrabacher and Patriquin quietly built momentum. Match by match. Point by point.
Their victory represents everything that’s exciting about pickleball’s explosive growth. No fancy endorsements. No pre-tournament hype. Just pure skill and determination on display at one of the sport’s premier venues. And now, against all expectations, they’ve etched their names into the Red Rock Open history books.
Sometimes the underdogs don’t just bark – they bite.
