Caron Evans starred in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English Open.

Canterbury’s Evans, 54, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre - the largest pickleball event to take place outside North America.

With ages from seven to more than 70 competing, the event is reflective of the 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.

“It’s very sociable,” said landlord Evans. “We’ve gone to a lot of different places with it - while my wife has set up a group in Canterbury (Canterbury Area Pickleball).

“The event is great. It’s well-organised with loads of people and it’s nice because we’re not just playing the same people.

“We’ve got a bit more of a mixture this time and we get to play against people from other countries, which we don’t usually get a chance to do.”

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 and table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. The sport’s accessibility transcends demographics providing it with universal appeal.

“About nine years ago, we were playing badminton at our YMCA and we saw pickleball going on at a court next door,” added Evans.

“We thought it looked like fun and said to the people there: ‘Can we have a go?’.

“We stopped playing badminton and we’ve been playing pickleball ever since.

“When we first started playing, we were winning golds and we’re not winning golds anymore as the game has changed - it’s getting more like tennis as it’s quicker but I love the game still.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English Open from August 8 until August 14 at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA ever.

Visit the website at pickleballengland.org if you want further information about the sport.