Salli Griffith was the unsung hero in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Griffith, 70, designed every graphic in sight for the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America – from the medal and t-shirts to digiboards and toilet posters.  

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.

Speaking about her love for pickleball, Slough's Griffith said: “I’ve been a graphic designer since I left college, I keep trying to retire but my clients won’t let me.

“It was through graphic design that a guy I used to play squash with contacted me about six years ago and asked me to design a logo for his pickleball club and I asked him what that was.

“I went along to Beaconsfield and tried the sport and got hooked then. Anybody can play it, from old to young, you can start anywhere and have different age groups on court at the same time.

“There are some intricacies but anyone can get playing it within an hour and have a game.”

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 love the sport and I love being able to help out too,” added Griffith.

“I’ve run a few small design studios and I went freelance in 2001 and have worked from home since, which also happens to entail three months in California in the winter, which is where my sister lives, so the office moves there.”

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