OCTOBER 12 – 15, 2023
@ PALM BEACH GARDENS TENNIS & PICKLEBALL CENTER
WHERE AMATEURS ARE TREATED LIKE PROS ~ ALL LEVELS WELCOME!!!
CLICK TO REGISTER!
CLICK TO VOLUNTEER!
Players International Management (PIM), organizers of the World Pickleball Open (WPO; click for 2022 sizzle reel) and the YellowTennisBall.com Series of over 25 state, national and international USTA and ITF events, is excited to host the inaugural WORLD PICKLEBALL CLASSIC (WPC) sponsored by Hospital for Special Surgery, held October 12- 15, 2023 at Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Center (5110 117th Court North, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418).
The event INCLUDES ALL LEVELS OF PLAY and plans to create a memorable experience for its sponsors, and participants as the event will include a 30-minute televised highlight show on Amazon PickleTV! Event information is listed below and please call (561.330.6003) or email ([email protected]) if you have any questions. We look forward to hosting you and make sure to register early – Player Registration opens July 1, 2023.
To receive up-to-date event info., player news, and special event updates, send your email address to [email protected] and we will add you to our Event E-blasts!
EVENT INFO
Event Site. Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Center (5110 117th Court N Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418; 561-630-1180). The event will feature 20 newly resurfaced/dedicated Pickleball courts. Click for map.
Join our Volunteer family! CLICK HERE
Things to do around town: Click here
Travel: Located approximately 25 minutes north of Palm Beach International Airport and one hour 20 minutes north of Ft. Lauderdale airport. Facility info.
Mandatory Forms: CHECK-IN & FORMS:**IMPORTANT** Please check in 20 minutes before your match time as ALL PLAYERS must fill out the following forms online and show their confirmation emails upon check-in (Medical Release & Waiver Form and Event Contact Form).
Site Info:
- Parking: Over 300 parking spots available on-site.
- Animals. No animals are allowed on-site.
Admission. Spectator admission is free. We are hosting a Holiday Toy Drive and if able, please bring a brand new toy to the Tournament Desk as all items will be donated to local hospitals – thank you!
Food / Beverage Concessions. Will be available for purchase on-site.
Television:
- 2023: Details coming soon.
- Click for the 2021 World Pickleball Open Live Streaming
- Click for the 2019 World Pickleball Open 30-minute televised Highlight Show aired multiple times on Fox Sports Florida!
Entry Fees:
- Pro Divisions (per person): $80 Event Registration Fee + $125 Entry Fee per event entered
- Skills Divisions (per person): $80 Event Registration Fee + $45 Entry Fee per event entered
Prize Money (pros only): Up to $25,000* in total prize money and dependent upon number of players / teams per division (30% withheld for foreign players). Click for Prize Money Distribution.
Player Gift: All participants will receive one t-shirt per person (regardless of how many divisional events they compete in).
USA Pickleball Tier 4 Sanctioned Event. All participants must be a member of USA Pickleball. Click here for more information.
Court Surface: The event will consist of 20 newly resurfaced and dedicated Pickleball courts.
Ball Type: Pro Penn 40
Weather: Competitions will be conducted unless event staff determines the weather conditions to be potentially dangerous, life threatening or if the facility would incur significant damage. There will be no cash refunds for cancelled events due to weather, unless a Weather Insurance Form is purchased. Click for Weather Insurance Form (deadline for submittal is Sept. 28, 2023). Visit the Event Pickleball Brackets website for up-to-date refund policy.
Refunds / Withdrawals:
* Full Refund (less a processing fee of up to $25) if withdraw is completed by 9/13/23… No refunds after 9/13/23.
* Waitlisted ONLY players will not be charged a processing fee and may remain on the waitlist throughout the duration of the tournament
* There will be no refunds for events that are cancelled due to inclement weather or any other unforeseen event.
** Refunds will be issued after registration closes for those players who have a credit balance. Refunds will be processed as a credit to the original form of payment where possible. Refunds will be processed after the tournament has ended, by the 30 days following the tournament, for players who did not get off the waitlist.
**View the event Pickleball Brackets website page for details about partner replacement info.
Format.
- All Divisions: Double Elimination with a Come Around (i.e. a team can lose a match and still come around and win the bracket)
- Main Draw: Each match consists of a “best of three” game format with each game to 11, win by two points
- Consolation: Each match consists of one game to 15, win by two points except for the final match which determines 3rd place…with the winning team to go on to compete for 1st/2nd place. The final Consolation match consists of a best of 3 game format with each game to 11, win by two points.
*Event has the right to modify the format if there are weather issues.
If you would like to receive event information as they are finalized, please send your email address to [email protected] and you will receive event notifications when they are announced in the coming weeks. Thank you.
2023 IMPORTANT DATES – SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 1: Registration Opens – Limited space available!
Tuesday, September 12: Last day to withdraw and receive a full refund
Thursday, Sept. 28: Registration deadline & Weather Insurance Form deadline (click for form).
Wednesday, Oct. 11:
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- 1:30 – 2:30pm. Volunteer Registration & Meeting
- 3 – 5pm: Early player Registration
Thursday, Oct. 12 – Sunday, Oct. 15. Match Play (Pro and Amateur Divisions). Spectator admission is free. We are hosting a Holiday Toy Drive, and if able, please bring a brand new toy to the Tournament Desk as all items will be donated to local hospitals – thank you!
- Thursday, Oct. 12: Mixed Doubles Skills: 50+, 65+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+)
- Friday, Oct. 13
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- Women’s Doubles Skills: 19+, 35+, 50+, 65+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0)
- Men’s Singles Skills: 19+, 35+ 50+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+)
- Pro Women’s Doubles ($): (4.5+)
- Senior Pro Women’s Doubles ($): (4.5+)
- Pro Men’s Doubles: (4.5+)
- Senior Pro Men’s Doubles : (4.5+)
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- Saturday, Oct. 14
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- Pro Mixed Doubles ($): (4.5+)
- Senior Pro Mixed Doubles ($): (4.5+)
- Men’s Doubles Skills: 19+, 35+, 50+, 65+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0)
- Women’s Singles Skills: 19+, 35+ 50+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+)
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- Sunday, Oct. 15
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- Pro Men’s Singles ($): (4.5+)
- Senior Pro Men’s Singles ($): (4.5+)
- Pro Women’s Singles ($): (4.5+)
- Senior Pro Women’s Singles ($): (4.5+)
- Mixed Doubles Skills: 19+, 35+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+)
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VOLUNTEER INFO
Volunteer Info. Volunteering is an invitation to link with great people and oversee the day-to-day operation. All Volunteers will receive a T-shirt, Lunch or Dinner, and one complimentary ticket to the 2024 Delray Beach Open ATP Men’s Tennis Event (Session TBA: $40+ Value).
- VOLUNTEER DEADLINE TO APPLY: August 14, 2023 (limited spots, register early!) APPLY HERE
- VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS (3):
- Court Monitors: Located on/adjacent to court. Make sure matches start timely and that players hustle back to the tournament desk once matches have completed, answer player questions, make sure courts have balls, etc. Players act as their own runners bringing their score sheets to the tournament desk and picking up their next match score sheet from the tournament desk.
- Match Starters/Coordinators & Player Orientation: Orientation with each bracket just before the bracket begins so the players understand how to participate in the tournament. Then, after players are called for their match, meet players at their courts, explain match rules/format how the score sheet is used, etc.
- Tournament Desk & Hospitality: Greeting players, answer player/spectator questions, etc. Site where matches are called throughout the day. Here you’d check-in players on the computer, distribute Goody Bags, and assist as the concierge support staff of the event – presenting medals, etc.
PRACTICE COURTS
Practice Courts (1st come, 1st serve): Please allow 4 players per court, and if players are waiting, practice for a maximum of one hour. Beginning Thursday, allow four players per court, 30 minutes maximum for warm-ups. Upon arrival, please check with Tournament Director for the practice court location.
- Tues., Oct. 10 2023: 5 courts (8am – 6pm)… min. charge (check in with the pro shop)
- Wed., Oct. 11, 2023: 6+ courts (8am – 8pm)… complimentary (2pm – dark, 1st come, 1st serve)
- Thur., Oct. 12 – Sun., Oct. 15, 2023: 17+ courts (7:15 – 8am), none thereafter.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the proper attire for a Pickleball game?
What are the dimensions of a Pickleball court?
What are the basic rules of Pickleball?
How to be safe playing Pickleball?
What kind of paddles are allowed by the USAPA?
What are the USAPA rules for Pickleball?
How do I Volunteer for the World Pickleball Open (WPBO)?
What would I be doing as a Volunteer for the WPBO?
MARQUEE SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor:
HSS Florida is a state-of-the-art facility located in West Palm Beach and provides patients with the highest quality care from Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. The doctors at HSS Florida have years of experience caring for people with all types of orthopedic conditions. Whether you’re looking for a diagnosis or a second opinion, surgical or nonsurgical orthopedic care, rehabilitation or performance services, our experts will guide you every step of the way. PRESENTING SPONSOR + OFFICIAL HOSPITAL
Palm Beach Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (with a focus on the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. HOST COUNTY SPONSOR
Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Center. The City of Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Center is a premier community public tennis and pickleball facility, winning 2019-2020 USTA National Member Organization of the Year, 2018 USTA Florida Member Organization of the Year Award and 2014 United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Outstanding Facility Award. The Tennis & Pickleball Center has 20 hydro-grid clay courts and multiple pickleball courts. HOST-SITE
At California Sports Surfaces, our passion for technology has helped establish us as the industry leader. Our team manufactures durable acrylic surfaces with resilient multi-layered cushions designed to reduce the pressure put on an athlete’s body from vigorous game play. The advanced technology is truly special because, despite the increase in comfort and safety, there is absolutely no compromise to the natural bounce of the game. OFFICIAL COURT SURFACE SUPPLIER
GOLD SPONSORS
CORA Health Services, Inc./CORA Physical Therapy (www.coraphysicaltherapy.com) is an outpatient rehabilitation company that uses proven clinical practices and cost effective treatment protocols to return patients to their jobs and lifestyles as soon as possible. Its clinics offer a complete range of treatment, including outpatient physical therapy and general rehabilitation, worker’s compensation therapy, sports and auto injury rehabilitation, and rehabilitation for seniors. CORA operates more than 240 clinics in 10 states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin, including specialty clinics under the Body Gears brand. OFFICIAL ATHLETIC TRAINING SERVICES SPONSOR
K-Swiss was founded in 1966 by two Swiss brothers who ventured to sunny southern California where they introduced one of the first all-leather tennis shoes. As avid skiers, they drew inspiration from leather ski boots to create the K-Swiss “Classic.” Both tennis and skiing share the need for innovative, high-performing, comfortable footwear, and for 57 years, K-Swiss has continually pushed the boundaries of performance—driving constant innovation. OFFICIAL SHOE SPONSOR
Penn is a premium racquet sports brand developing performance ball products for pickleball, tennis and racquetball. Founded in 1910 in Pennsylvania, Penn manufactures innovative, durable and high quality products in each racquet sports category. OFFICIAL BALL SPONSOR
Delray Beach Open. The world’s only combined ATP 250 Event (featuring today’s ATP stars) and ATP Champions Tour Legends Event (featuring former tennis greats). The 32nd anniversary takes place Feb. 9 – 18, 2024, is televised nationally and internationally in over 75 countries, and is host to 55,000+ spectators and over a dozen special events and amateur tennis events.
