DATES: October 13-18, 2026
LOCATION: Boynton Beach, FL
DIVISIONS: Women’s 50s
This year, the Women’s 50 National Clay Court Championships were held alongside the men’s event at the Coral Lakes Spirits Center in Boynton Beach, Florida. The venue was a first-class facility, featuring pristine clay courts and a beautiful clubhouse. Participants enjoyed access to the excellent locker rooms, pools, and fitness center. NWTO also made its presence felt by providing all female participants with a meal voucher for the club’s café, a thoughtful perk that was greatly appreciated by everyone.
Although the singles draw was small, it was packed with talent, featuring many of the top players in the 50s age division. In fact, six of the eleven singles competitors had competed on World Cup teams in recent years. With first-round matchups that could easily have been finals, the level of competition was exceptionally high. The doubles draw featured five teams competing in a four-round round-robin format, providing everyone with the opportunity to enjoy plenty of additional doubles play.
The biggest challenge of the tournament was the extreme humidity, which climbed to nearly 80%. Pickle juice came to the rescue on several occasions, helping players cope with the demanding conditions. But the true hero of the event was 50s player Sylvia Kodsi. When a pickleball player collapsed on a nearby court and had no pulse, Sylvia, a physician, immediately rushed to help and assisted in resuscitating the woman before an ambulance arrived. Her quick response and lifesaving efforts made her the undeniable MVP of the tournament!
QUICK RESULTS
WOMEN’S 50s SINGLES
🥇 Julie Thu
🥈 Patricia Zerdan
🥉 Carolina Blouin
WOMEN’S 50s DOUBLES
🥇 Julia Thu / Isabela Iantosca
🥈 Sophie Woorons / Carolina Blouin
🥉 Inese Williamson / Mo Bertsch
