Mark Titchener starred in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Head of IT procurement Titchener, 53, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

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.

“I played badminton for 30 years, I was a county badminton player and retired from it two years ago and just saw pickleball was taking off in the States,” said Swindon's Titchener.

“I just thought that looked interesting and I joined the local club near Swindon when I started playing last June.

“Literally my first tournament was the English Open last year and I then played in the Nationals in October in Bolton, did OK there, and I’ve just got the bug for it now.

“Smashing is certainly something you can bring over from badminton, I’m very wristy as a badminton player and that helps.

“I’m probably not so good at driving the ball and some of the longer, passing shots, but I’m learning those.

“That’s more of a tennis shot, I think, and I don’t have many of those in my repertoire.”

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.

Titchener added: “I think it’s great you can come into this sport with a badminton background, tennis background, table tennis background, even a bit of squash.”

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