Tournament Recap: Racine - National Indoors, Wisconsin Style
This year’s National Indoor Championships for ages 35–95 took place at the Racine Tennis Club in Racine, Wisconsin (population approx. 77,000)—a somewhat sleepy town just a breezy 30-minute drive from the Milwaukee International Airport and the birthplace of malted milk.
With 50 total entries, the draws were on the small side—a blessing, perhaps, given that the facility has just six courts, five of which were used for the tournament. On one memorable day, pickleball was in full swing on court six, much to the dismay of players competing on the adjacent courts.
Tournament Director Todd Patrick Anderson wisely used the NWTO Amenities stipend to cover practice court time for all entrants throughout the event—a perk which players appreciated. So was the nice bowl of fresh fruit, replenished daily.
The compact size of the club led to occasional logjams around the tournament desk and the NWTO table—but it also made it easier to bump into players from other age groups and trade stories, laughs, and dinner recs. (Tracey Thompson of the 65s reports that the local VFW served surprisingly good food at unbeatable prices. Who knew?)
Match Highlights: Big Plays, Breakthroughs & a Bit of Revenge
Tennis talent was on full display in every division, with thrilling matches, surprise upsets, and standout performances.
In the 65s singles, the drama kicked off early when unseeded Lori Robertson took on top seed Shannon Gordon-Carney in the first round—pulling off an upset in a high-stakes 10-point tiebreak, 10–4. But Lori’s momentum was ultimately halted in the final by Terri Thyssen, who edged out a nail-biting victory in yet another third-set tiebreak, 10–6.
It was a friendly fire finale in the 55s singles, as Jen Beindorf faced off against her doubles partner Alice Stubbs—with Beindorf emerging victorious to take the gold.
The 45s doubles final brought high energy and heavy hitting as #2 seeds Sue Kaleel and Kristen Charlton met top seeds Gail Gibson and Pam Saffran at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Kaleel and Charlton triumphed in a well-fought match filled with long rallies and punishing overheads, 6–4, 6–3. Then—because once wasn’t enough—they did it all again in a 2:00 p.m. match in the 55s against the same team, taking this one 6–4, 6–2.
In the 75s singles, Toni Novak delivered a near-flawless third-set tiebreak to defeat Gwenda Ward, 10–2. The win was especially sweet, as Ward had previously edged Novak out on the clay in Pelham.
And finally, a special shoutout to Eugenia Salvo, who claimed her very first national ball with a gutsy win over Helena Malinakova in the 3rd/4th playoff for 55s singles. A well-earned bronze and a milestone moment—congrats, champ!
🎾 Big Ballers Hall of Fame: Gold • Silver • Bronze Winners
SINGLES
35S SINGLES – ROUND ROBIN
🥇 Brittany Huang
🥈 Dana Kotarba
🥉 Krista Sarno
45S SINGLES – ROUND ROBIN
🥇 Allison Rovner
🥈 Dana Kotarba
🥉 Yvette Roller
55S SINGLES
🥇 Jen Beindorf
🥈 Alice Stubbs
🥉 Eugenia Salvo
65S SINGLES
🥇 Terri Thyssen
🥈 Lori Robertson
🥉 Tracey Thompson
75S SINGLES
🥇 Toni Novak
🥈 Gwenda Ward
🥉 Carol Gay
DOUBLES
35S DOUBLES – ROUND ROBIN
🥇 Lauren Perl Lancaster / Millie Yablonicky
🥈 Trish Arreazola / Krista Sarno
🥉 Krysta Schellinger / Patricia Lison-Sheikh
45S DOUBLES
🥇 Sue Kaleel / Kristen Charlton
🥈 Gail Gibson / Pamela Saffran
🥉 Ruth Sauter / Stephanie Schulte
55S DOUBLES
🥇 Sue Kaleel / Kristen Charlton
🥈 Gail Gibson / Pamela Saffran
🥉 Jennifer Beindorf / Alice Stubbs
65S DOUBLES
🥇 Terri Thyssen / Shannon Gordon-Carney
🥈 Lori Robertson / Tracey Thompson
🥉 Kim Dean / Mary Colonna
75S DOUBLES
🥇 Liane Bryson / Judy Dixon
🥈 Pamela Simons / Allyson Bolduc
🥉 Carol Gay / Kristen Padberg