Pickleball Points: PPA Masters comes to La Quinta, with or without Lala Kent

More than 1,000 pickleball players — including some Hollywood celebrities — are expected to take to 42 courts at La Quinta Resort & Spa next weekend as the PPA Masters comes to the desert for the first time.

The four-day tournament, the final event of the year for the Pro Pickleball Association, will see the PPA crown its seasonal champion with the highest cumulative point total for 2021 on the tour. Some 300 of the game’s top players are expected to be here, including Tyson McGuffin, Ben Johns, Lea Jansen and 14-year-old phenom Anna Leigh Waters — who plays doubles with her mother, Leigh Waters. More than $100,000 in prize money will be awarded.

The pro action begins Thursday with singles, followed by mixed doubles on Friday, men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday, and the championship matches for all categories on Sunday. Grounds passes start at $12 per day. Grandstand courtside seats are $30 per day. (Note: Coach Mary will be playing in both the women's and mixed doubles.)

Though this is the first PPA Masters in the Coachella Valley, it won’t be the last. The organization has committed to a five-year run at the La Quinta Resort and Spa, said PPA Commissioner Connor Pardoe.

“The reason we really want to come to La Quinta is one, there's no better weather; two, it's such a beautiful area; and three, pickleball is just so strong in your region, in the desert,” he told The Desert Sun.

Pardoe noted that players will be coming from around the world, including Brazil, France and Slovakia. But some Hollywood talent is also expected to hit the courts on Saturday night.

The PPA Masters has been billed as “hosted by Lala Kent and Randall Emmett” — with promises that a “celebrity entourage” also will be participating. Kent is on the cast of “Vanderpump Rules,” a reality TV show on Bravo that is a spinoff of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” For several years, she’s been engaged to film and TV producer Randall Emmett, who worked on films including Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” and Peter Berg’s “Lone Survivor.” Kent this year gave birth to the couple’s daughter, Ocean.

However, tabloids have been busy this week with reports of the couple’s breakup. On Wednesday, Kent said on her podcast — titled “Give them Lala … with Randall” — that “I’m sure everyone knows what is going on between Randall and myself and just in my personal life. There will be a time where I feel comfortable enough to open up and share. Today’s definitely not that day. It’s been a lot, I’m going through a lot and at this point in time, I just want to protect my child.”

The reality star added: “I know what I signed up for. I’m on a reality television show, but in this moment it’s not about me. It is about my kid and privacy is the only thing I’m looking for, for her sake.”

Pardoe said Tuesday: “I don't know if Lala was coming anymore because I think they're going through some kind of sort of breakup.” However, he said he expected 2012 “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips and WWE star Eva Marie, aka Natalie Eva Marie, to attend, among others.

(For more on even bigger-name celebrities who have taken up pickleball, see the Oct. 21 edition of Vanity Fair, which notes A-listers such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Larry David, Melinda Gates, Jamie Foxx, Owen Wilson, Jillian Michaels, Zach Braff, Giuliana Rancic and George Clooney have caught the bug.)

Pardoe said attendees at the PPA Masters should expect an atmosphere less stodgy than a tennis tournament.

“It’s like a big pickleball festival. So it's not as much like tennis. … It's more like fun," he said. "You know, we have a live DJ and MC; there's music going on; we have tons of different vendors; food options; games.”

For those who can’t attend in person, the PPA Masters action can be seen Thursday, Friday and Saturday on ESPN3, Pardoe said, as well as via the PPA YouTube and Facebook pages. Sunday’s championships will be on Fox Sports 1 — the second PPA tournament to air on the channel following the Texas Open last month.

For more information, visit www.ppatour.com/events/ppa-masters/

Coach Mary’s tip of the week: Do's and don'ts of social play

When playing against someone who is at a lower level: Do not try to beat them quickly so you can move on to another game. Ease up — focus on your short game, deep returns, hit to both players (if playing doubles). Give tips if they ask. Maybe split with your partner and play another game with one of you partnering with one of them.

When playing against a team with one player who is stronger than the other: Be sure to hit to the stronger player! That is how you improve. Do not pick on the weaker player, and maybe ease up on the weaker player.

When playing up a level: Thank the higher players for playing. Ask for tips if they are willing. Model their footwork, communication, technique.

Remember: We all started out new at one point. Pay it forward when you get the chance.

Have a question or comment for us? Email pickleball@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball: PPA Masters comes to La Quinta, with or without Lala Kent