Janette Varndell played a starring role in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Vardnell, 48, who was born in Slovakia and lives in Farnham, 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.

“This is my third English Open and the second one in Telford and it’s very busy – it used to be about 500 people and now I believe there are about 2,000 players,” said Varndell.

“I don’t get to play against international players usually and that was one of my aims in coming here this year.

“I’d like to play in European tournaments, but for whatever reason I’ve just haven’t had time.

“It’s very exciting in the UK to be able to enter any tournament you want to, and I want to do that in places like Spain, Hungary and hopefully in Slovakia one day.”

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.

“I played tennis at a club and someone kept inviting me to the pickleball sessions, and I kept saying no for about six months before, finally, I did try,” added Varndell.

“I didn’t enjoy it at first because I couldn’t understand why were hitting a plastic ball, but I started to enjoy it more and I’m addicted to it now. I’ve been playing for about six years.”

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