Copyright timesnownews
The Celebrity Pickleball Showdown brought a mix of Hollywood flair and athletic energy to the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch as part of the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships, scheduled from November 4 to November 9. The weekend event featured a star-studded lineup that drew fans from across the sporting community. Among the participants were NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki, NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, and World Series champion J.D. Martinez, and gaming influencer Tfue, who joined forces with top professional players from the PPA Tour, including Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, Anna Bright, and Tyson McGuffin. The matches featured a mix of lighthearted exchanges and competitive rallies. Nowitzki paired with Waters against Bright and Owens, but the latter duo claimed a 5–2 win. Waters later faced Martinez in singles, cruising to a 7–1 victory that underscored the skill gap between professional and celebrity participants. One of the closest contests came when Tfue teamed up with Johns to edge out Martinez and Jack Sock 8–7 in a tightly fought battle that drew applause from spectators. Beyond the entertainment, the event supported the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, which funds youth-focused community programs. Proceeds from raffles and ticketed activities went directly to the foundation’s initiatives. The event highlighted pickleball’s rapid rise, as participation continues to surge across the U.S., drawing new audiences and expanding the sport’s mainstream appeal.
