DOMENIKA TURKOVIC MAKES HISTORY IN BIRMINGHAM: BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPION AT THE WORLD'S LARGEST INDOOR EVENT
Nearly 3,400 players, six days of competition, and one player who proved that holding onto a title is harder than winning it the first time.
The 2026 Proflex English Open Powered by the APP closed out its most historic edition yet, crowning champions in Birmingham, England, in front of a global community that filled all 60 courts at the National Exhibition Centre across six full days of competition. And at the center of that story, once again, was Domenika Turkovic.
Domenika Turkovic: Back-To-Back Champion, Because Winning Once Wasn't Enough
Turkovic defended her women's singles crown, becoming a back-to-back English Open champion — the same title, defended with the same authority. Eyes closed, emotion pouring out in front of the microphone after the final, she made it clear why repeating is always harder than winning for the first time. It's not just about reaching the top — it's about staying there, season after season, while the entire circuit marks you as the one to beat.
But Turkovic's weekend didn't end there. She also reached the mixed doubles final alongside Jae Centonze, falling to Jack Munro and Roos van Reek in a tightly contested match — a reminder that even back-to-back champions have their limits, and that competing in two finals at the same tournament is a feat of physical and mental endurance few players are willing to attempt.
Two finals, one title, and Domenika Turkovic's name back on everyone's lips across the circuit. Birmingham was, without a doubt, her week.
Ignasi De Rueda Came, Saw, And Conquered
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On the other side of the draw, Ignasi de Rueda took the men's singles Open title with a brilliant performance from start to finish. Fists raised in front of a packed crowd, De Rueda closed out the tournament as one of the biggest names of this edition — the kind of champion who leaves no doubt about who's in charge.
Richard Livornese And Jack Munro: Men's Doubles Gold, No Questions Asked
The pairing of Richard Livornese and Jack Munro took the men's doubles title — celebrating medals in hand and all the euphoria of closing out the tournament with "just gold," as they described it themselves on camera. No drama, just confirmation.
Shelby Bates And Roos Van Reek: The Story That Almost Didn't Happen
If there's one story that captures the spirit of this edition, it's Shelby Bates'. Just a day away from not even making the trip to England, she ended up crowned women's doubles champion alongside Roos van Reek — what she herself described as "a golden comeback, rewriting the story when things don't go as planned." From hours away from staying home to standing on the podium in Birmingham. That's how fast everything can change in this sport.
Jack Munro And Roos Van Reek Closed With Double Gold — Right Against Turkovic And Centonze
To close out the historic 2026 English Open, Jack Munro and Roos van Reek were also crowned mixed doubles champions, defeating Domenika Turkovic and Jae Centonze in a tightly fought final. Double reason to celebrate for Van Reek, who took gold in both women's doubles and mixed — a perfect week few can match.
A Round Of 16 That Reminded Everyone Nothing Is Guaranteed
Not everything went according to script. Ronan Camron, one of the strongest seeds in the draw, fell in a surprise upset in the Round of 16 to Ben Cawston, 15-11. In a tournament with nearly 3,400 competitors, even the favorites can fall along the way.
What's Next
This is only the first chapter of our English Open 2026 coverage — in the coming days we'll share the full recap across every category: amateur, junior, wheelchair, para-pickleball, and the special Unity Cup, which brought together players of all ages and skill levels for one historic day.
Six days. Sixty courts. Thousands of players sharing one venue in what's already been marked as the largest indoor event in pickleball history. Birmingham delivered, Domenika Turkovic confirmed why she's among the best in the world, and the English Open keeps growing with no signs of slowing down.
See you in 2027.
Nearly 3,400 players, six days of competition, and one player who proved that holding onto a title is harder than winning it the first time.
The 2026 Proflex English Open Powered by the APP closed out its most historic edition yet, crowning champions in Birmingham, England, in front of a global community that filled all 60 courts at the National Exhibition Centre across six full days of competition. And at the center of that story, once again, was Domenika Turkovic.
Domenika Turkovic: Back-To-Back Champion, Because Winning Once Wasn't Enough
Turkovic defended her women's singles crown, becoming a back-to-back English Open champion — the same title, defended with the same authority. Eyes closed, emotion pouring out in front of the microphone after the final, she made it clear why repeating is always harder than winning for the first time. It's not just about reaching the top — it's about staying there, season after season, while the entire circuit marks you as the one to beat.
But Turkovic's weekend didn't end there. She also reached the mixed doubles final alongside Jae Centonze, falling to Jack Munro and Roos van Reek in a tightly contested match — a reminder that even back-to-back champions have their limits, and that competing in two finals at the same tournament is a feat of physical and mental endurance few players are willing to attempt.
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Two finals, one title, and Domenika Turkovic's name back on everyone's lips across the circuit. Birmingham was, without a doubt, her week.
Ignasi De Rueda Came, Saw, And Conquered
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
On the other side of the draw, Ignasi de Rueda took the men's singles Open title with a brilliant performance from start to finish. Fists raised in front of a packed crowd, De Rueda closed out the tournament as one of the biggest names of this edition — the kind of champion who leaves no doubt about who's in charge.
Richard Livornese And Jack Munro: Men's Doubles Gold, No Questions Asked
The pairing of Richard Livornese and Jack Munro took the men's doubles title — celebrating medals in hand and all the euphoria of closing out the tournament with "just gold," as they described it themselves on camera. No drama, just confirmation.
Shelby Bates And Roos Van Reek: The Story That Almost Didn't Happen
If there's one story that captures the spirit of this edition, it's Shelby Bates'. Just a day away from not even making the trip to England, she ended up crowned women's doubles champion alongside Roos van Reek — what she herself described as "a golden comeback, rewriting the story when things don't go as planned." From hours away from staying home to standing on the podium in Birmingham. That's how fast everything can change in this sport.
Jack Munro And Roos Van Reek Closed With Double Gold — Right Against Turkovic And Centonze
To close out the historic 2026 English Open, Jack Munro and Roos van Reek were also crowned mixed doubles champions, defeating Domenika Turkovic and Jae Centonze in a tightly fought final. Double reason to celebrate for Van Reek, who took gold in both women's doubles and mixed — a perfect week few can match.
A Round Of 16 That Reminded Everyone Nothing Is Guaranteed
Not everything went according to script. Ronan Camron, one of the strongest seeds in the draw, fell in a surprise upset in the Round of 16 to Ben Cawston, 15-11. In a tournament with nearly 3,400 competitors, even the favorites can fall along the way.
What's Next
This is only the first chapter of our English Open 2026 coverage — in the coming days we'll share the full recap across every category: amateur, junior, wheelchair, para-pickleball, and the special Unity Cup, which brought together players of all ages and skill levels for one historic day.
Six days. Sixty courts. Thousands of players sharing one venue in what's already been marked as the largest indoor event in pickleball history. Birmingham delivered, Domenika Turkovic confirmed why she's among the best in the world, and the English Open keeps growing with no signs of slowing down.
See you in 2027.
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