Darren Clarke starred in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Paramedic Clarke, 36, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.

“This is my first English Open and it’s brilliant, I’ve never seen so many pickleball courts before,” said Clarke, who hails from County Clare in Ireland but lives in Watford.

“It’s a brilliant standard [based on] watching all the games, there’s a very high standard, I reckon – I won one game, so it wasn’t too bad.

“I usually play just against guys from around the UK, but here I’ve played two Americans and I never get to play against them unless I’m on holiday somewhere.

“It’s a fantastic event and it’s just so well-run – it’s just pickle heaven!”

This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.

“I was on my honeymoon in 2021 in Antigua and we saw these new, small-looking tennis courts,” added Clarke.

“There was an instructor there who gave me some tips and we started to play some pickleball.

“I had a little cocktail in my hands, so it was nice and easy to get into the sport.

“Then after the honeymoon I looked out for a local club and there was one about 10 minutes away (West Herts Wizards) which I wouldn’t have even looked at before.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org