Danielle Jones walked away from the Picklebay Zonals North with mixed emotions but a clear sense of purpose. While the experienced player settled for silver in the 30+ Women’s Singles category, she bounced back strongly to secure gold in the 30+ Women’s Doubles event, ensuring her campaign ended on a winning note at the PWR 700 Indian Pickleball Association sanctioned tournament.
The event carried added significance as it also served as a key selection trial for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, where several of India’s top players are hoping to earn national team berths.
Jones was quick to credit her opponent after falling short in the singles final.
“I’m not going to take anything away from her. She’s definitely a great player,” Jones said.
At the same time, she admitted she was unable to produce her best tennis on the day.
“Today was a bad day in the office for me in the singles. Doubles was a lot better. I think the conditions were quite taxing, but overall it’s been a good day.”
The Gurgaon heat proved challenging throughout the tournament, forcing players to constantly manage their energy levels. Jones revealed that careful planning during the doubles contest played a major role in helping her team secure gold.
“I definitely felt a drop in intensity because of the conditions,” she said.
“That’s when we took very strategic timeouts, and that really helped us revive ourselves and come back to play better.”
The ability to regroup at key moments ultimately proved decisive as Jones and her partner navigated the demanding conditions to finish on top of the podium.
Beyond the medals, the tournament also offered players a chance to strengthen their case for national selection ahead of the Pickleball World Cup later this year.
For Jones, the prospect of representing India remains a powerful source of motivation.
“One hundred percent. If I get the opportunity to represent my country, there’s no bigger honour,” she said.
“I’d absolutely love that.”
With a doubles gold medal already secured and World Cup ambitions firmly in sight, Jones leaves Gurgaon encouraged by her performance and eager for the opportunities that may lie ahead.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organizing the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.
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