The pickleball world is buzzing with excitement as tennis stars Eugenie Bouchard, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Donald Young take center stage at the PPA Veolia North Carolina Open in 2025. Held this week, this prestigious event showcases some of the biggest names transitioning from tennis to pickleball, captivating fans with their athletic prowess and competitive spirit. With doubles action heating up, these former tennis pros are proving their skills on the pickleball court, making the tournament a must-watch for sports enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll dive into the latest updates from the PPA NC Open, explore the performances of these headliners, and explain why this event is a pivotal moment in the sport’s growing popularity.
Tennis Titans Take on Pickleball: at the PPA NC Open
The PPA Veolia North Carolina Open, kicking off this week on April 3, 2025, has drawn significant attention thanks to the participation of Eugenie Bouchard, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Donald Young. These athletes, renowned for their achievements on the tennis court, are now making waves in professional pickleball, a sport that’s rapidly gaining traction worldwide. Hosted by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), this tournament blends elite competition with star power, offering fans a thrilling mix of singles, doubles, and mixed doubles action.
What makes this event stand out is the doubles lineup featuring these tennis-turned-pickleball stars. Bouchard and Young are chasing their first PPA medals, while Sock and Querrey aim to bolster their already impressive pickleball resumes. With singles matches underway since Wednesday, the doubles brackets set to intensify tomorrow are poised to steal the spotlight. Let’s break down their journeys and performances so far at the NC Open.
Bouchard and Young: Seeking Their First Pickleball Triumph
Eugenie Bouchard, a former Wimbledon finalist and world No. 5 in tennis, entered the PPA Tour in 2024 with high expectations. While she hasn’t fully retired from tennis, her focus has shifted toward pickleball, where she’s quickly risen to No. 17 in the singles rankings. At the NC Open, Bouchard is competing across singles and mixed doubles, partnering with seasoned pros to hone her game. Her tennis background marked by powerful groundstrokes and agility gives her an edge, but adapting to pickleball’s compact court and nuanced strategies has been a learning curve.
Donald Young, another tennis veteran, brings a wealth of experience to the table. A former top-50 player in both singles and doubles, Young has climbed to No. 24 in pickleball singles since joining the PPA Tour. Like Bouchard, he’s yet to secure a medal, making the NC Open a critical opportunity. Young’s smooth transition from tennis to pickleball highlights his versatility, and his doubles efforts alongside Bouchard in the mixed bracket are generating buzz among fans eager to see them break through.
Early Singles Results
- Bouchard: Advanced past the first round but faced a tough loss in singles, bowing out earlier than hoped.
- Young: Reached the round of 16 before falling to No. 1 seed Federico Staksrud, a dominant force in men’s pickleball.
Both players are now pinning their hopes on doubles, where teamwork and chemistry could propel them to the podium.
Sock and Querrey: Building on Pickleball Success
Jack Sock and Sam Querrey, meanwhile, are no strangers to pickleball success. Sock, a four-time Grand Slam champion in tennis doubles and an Olympic medalist, has quickly established himself as a top contender in pickleball. Ranked No. 10 in men’s singles, he’s already notched multiple medals, including a mixed doubles gold with Anna Leigh Waters at the 2023 NC Open. At this year’s event, Sock suffered an early singles exit, losing to No. 34 seed Max Freeman in the second round (12-10, 11-8). However, his doubles prowess honed through years of tennis dominance makes him a favorite in the men’s and mixed brackets.
Sam Querrey, a former world No. 11 in tennis, joined the PPA Tour in 2023 and has one mixed doubles gold to his name. Unlike Sock, Querrey opted to skip singles at the NC Open, focusing solely on mixed and men’s doubles. His towering 6’6” frame, an asset in tennis, requires adjustment in pickleball’s tighter confines, but his experience and competitive drive keep him in the hunt for more hardware.
Sock and Querrey’s Doubles Outlook
- Sock: Teaming up with Ivan Jakovljevic in men’s doubles and Kaitlyn Christian in mixed doubles, Sock’s recent form suggests he could add to his medal tally.
- Querrey: Paired with Ryan Sherry in men’s doubles and an undisclosed partner in mixed, Querrey’s big-game experience could shine through.
Why Doubles Action Steals the Show
Doubles play in pickleball is a dynamic spectacle, blending strategy, reflexes, and teamwork in ways that captivate audiences. At the PPA NC Open, the mixed and men’s/women’s doubles brackets featuring Bouchard, Sock, Querrey, and Young promise high-stakes drama. Here’s why fans are glued to the courts:
- Tennis Skills in Action: The quartet’s tennis-honed hand-eye coordination and court awareness translate well to pickleball’s fast-paced rallies.
- Star Power: Their recognizable names draw casual viewers, boosting the sport’s visibility.
- Medal Chase: With Bouchard and Young hunting their first wins and Sock and Querrey adding to their collections, every match carries weight.
Key Matches to Watch
Here’s a quick look at the doubles matchups generating hype:
| Player Pairing | Event | Opponent to Watch | Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bouchard & Young | Mixed Doubles | TBD | First medal opportunity |
| Sock & Jakovljevic | Men’s Doubles | Johnson & Duong | Semifinal contention |
| Querrey & Sherry | Men’s Doubles | TBD | Querrey’s gold pursuit |
| Sock & Christian | Mixed Doubles | Jones & Rettenmaier | Sock’s medal defense |
Note: Pairings and opponents are subject to change as the tournament progresses.
The Bigger Picture: Pickleball’s Rising Tide
The PPA NC Open isn’t just about individual glory it’s a testament to pickleball’s meteoric rise. With tennis stars like Bouchard, Sock, Querrey, and Young crossing over, the sport is gaining legitimacy and attracting a broader audience. The PPA Tour, now boasting 25 events annually and millions in prize money, is capitalizing on this momentum. The NC Open, streamed live on PickleballTV, offers fans worldwide a front-row seat to witness these transitions unfold.
For Bouchard and Young, success here could mark the start of a new chapter, while Sock and Querrey aim to solidify their status as pickleball elites. Their presence underscores a key trend: tennis players, with their athletic foundations, are finding pickleball a natural fit though not without challenges. The smaller court, paddle dynamics, and emphasis on finesse over power demand adaptation, making their progress a compelling storyline.
How to Follow the Action
Did you Missed the singles rounds? Don’t worry doubles action is just heating up. Here’s how to stay in the loop:
- Live Streaming: Catch every serve and volley on PickleballTV.
- Updates: Follow the PPA Tour’s official website and social media for real-time scores.
- Highlights: Check Tennis.com for post-match recaps and analysis.
With the tournament running through the weekend, Friday’s doubles matches are a can’t-miss opportunity to see these stars in their element.
Final Thoughts: A Star-Studded Showdown
The PPA Veolia North Carolina Open is more than a tournament it’s a celebration of athletic reinvention. Eugenie Bouchard, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Donald Young bring a unique blend of talent and tenacity to the doubles courts, headlining an event that’s as entertaining as it is competitive. Whether you’re a pickleball diehard or a tennis fan curious about the crossover, this week’s action promises excitement at every turn.
As Bouchard and Young chase their maiden medals and sock and Querrey build on their legacies, the NC Open is shaping up to be a defining moment in 2025’s pickleball calendar. Tune in, cheer on your favorites, and witness the next chapter in this sport’s unstoppable rise. Who will emerge victorious? Only time and a few well-placed dinks will tell.
Refer to this article: https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/eugenie-bouchard-young-sock-querrey-doubles-pickleball-ppa
