Champions Crowned at the 2026 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples
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Champions Crowned at the 2026 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples

Dink Authority Magazine Editors Team

Champions Crowned at the 2026 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships
Championship Saturday delivers thrilling finals in Naples

Saturday at East Naples Community Park had a special atmosphere. From early in the morning, the energy around the courts made it clear that it would be a decisive day. Grandstands were full, cameras were everywhere, and the world’s best players stepped onto the courts to fight for the titles at the 2026 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, which also celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Walking around the venue, every final seemed to tell its own story. Some matches were decided with authority, others with drama until the final point, as fans filled every corner of the championship courts.

Anna Leigh Waters dominates once again

One name stood above the rest in Naples: Anna Leigh Waters.

The young pickleball star captured a double crown, once again proving why she remains one of the most dominant players in the sport.

She first claimed gold in Women’s Doubles alongside her mother Leigh Waters, defeating Bobbi Oshiro and Kat Stewart with a controlled 11-5, 11-6 victory.

Later in the day, Waters returned to the court for the Mixed Doubles final, partnering with Jay Devilliers. The match had everything—momentum swings, tactical adjustments, and a dramatic finish. After dropping the first game 10-12, Waters and Devilliers responded with authority to win 11-2, 11-9, securing the title.

Kat Stewart delivers the surprise in singles

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One of the biggest talking points of the day came in Women’s Singles, where Kat Stewart delivered a dominant performance.

Stewart defeated Seone Mendez convincingly 11-4, 11-1, a result that left little doubt about who controlled the match from the opening rally.

Dustin Boyer claims the men’s singles title

In Men’s Singles, Dustin Boyer captured the gold medal with an impressive performance against Jay Devilliers.

Boyer won the final 11-4, 11-2, displaying consistency and aggressive shot-making throughout the match. Devilliers had already played multiple finals during the day, but Boyer remained in control from start to finish.

Men’s doubles goes the distance

The Men’s Doubles final turned out to be one of the most entertaining matches of the afternoon.

Jack Munro and Richard Livornese defeated Ryler DeHeart and Kyle Koszuta in three games 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, in a match that featured momentum shifts before the champions closed it out in the decisive game.

What makes the U.S. Open unique

Part of what makes the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships special is its structure. In addition to the Pro Open division, the tournament also showcases Senior Pro categories, where players aged 50+, 60+, and even 70+ compete with nearly the same visibility as the top professionals.

That combination of elite players, veteran legends, and thousands of amateur competitors is part of what transforms Naples into the center of the pickleball world every year.

A perfect finish for the 10th anniversary

As the sun began to set over the courts in Naples and the final points determined the champions, the atmosphere felt like a true celebration of the sport.

Ten years after its first edition, the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships once again proved why it remains one of the most iconic events in the global pickleball calendar.

From dramatic finals to unforgettable moments on and off the court, the tournament delivered a championship weekend worthy of its milestone anniversary.

In our next edition of Dink Authority Magazine, we will bring you the full story behind the tournament — including deeper analysis, player features, and the moments that defined this historic U.S. Open in Naples.

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