Hey, Pickleball Aficionados: 'Elite' Celebrity Match At Branford's Smash Pickleball Grand Opening Saturday

BRANFORD, CT — Smash Club, described as "Connecticut’s premier padel and pickleball destination," officially celebrates the grand opening of its $7 million facility, Serve & Smash, with a high-profile exhibition event.

Set for Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the event showcases the "evolution and excitement surrounding two of the fastest growing sports in the world today, Padel & Pickleball," owners said.

Dubbed the “Grand Slammers Exhibition,” the event will bring together some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes for a once-in-a-lifetime match.

Tennis Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl, five-time Pickleball Grand Slam Champion Tyson McGuffin, and pro players Ryan Sherry and Tom Lockwood will take the court in an elite matchup hosted and MC’d by ESPN’s Karl Ravech. The exhibition match is from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. A meet and greet, autographs and photos event is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

On hand for eats, will be Pasta Cosi's pizza truck, and Rambling Inn Mobile Bar, serving refreshments.

"This event is not just a celebration of athleticism, it’s a showcase of the evolution and excitement surrounding pickleball today," Smash Club owner Tom Hinding said. "We are honored to welcome some of the sport’s most respected icons to our facility for this one-of-a-kind matchup."

Marcos del Pilar, widely known as The Godfather of Padel in the USA,' played a pivotal role in shaping the vision and development of the Serve & Smash facility, according to Hinding.

The facility includes:

• 10 Courts, 2 outdoor courts, 8 indoor air-conditioned courts (6 Pickleball & 2 Padel)
• A cutting-edge performance lab
• Two elevated terrace viewing areas, 1 indoor and 1 outdoor with full service bars and catered food menus
• A total of 12 TVS 6 on each indoor Pickleball Court
• Cameras on each court to correct line calls and view your play after your game
• Spacious seating areas, Joola ping pong tables, corn hole, and a state-of-the-art sound system

Hinding said attendees will enjoy an up-close experience with top-tier talent and a vibrant social atmosphere to mark the opening of this exciting new venue.

To attend, sign up now with no initiation fee visit Smashclub.us or email Michele@smashclub.us

For more information about Smash Club and upcoming events, visit www.smashclub.us.