Life Time Announces Open-Invite $50,000 Singles Tournament

The inaugural LT Open aims to crown pickleball's best men's and women's singles players. And everyone is invited to prove they've got what it takes.

If you've ever wondered how you stack up among pickleball's top talent, here's your chance.

Life Time just announced its inaugural LT Open, a men's and women's singles-only tournament taking place October 11-19 at Life Time Peachtree Corners in Atlanta.

According to the site: "This tournament is open to all elite singles players, regardless of tour affiliation. If you think you're the best, this is where you prove it."

Any and all players are invited to compete in separate qualifier brackets starting Oct. 11, with 16 men and 16 women ultimately advancing to the championship bracket.

The finals will take place Sunday, Oct. 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. EDT, airing on ESPN2.

The total prize pool is $250,000, with the male and female winners will each walking away with a check for $50,000.

"Just as the US Open for tennis has become a part of our culture every year, we believe the LT Open will be the new gold-standard for singles pickleball play," said Bahram Akradi, Life Time Founder, Chairman and CEO.

Contracted pros are cleared to play

One surprising element to this event is that contracted UPA players – the top men and women currently competing in MLP and on the PPA Tour – are allowed to participate.

That, according to UPA CEO Connor Pardoe, is all thanks to Life Time's continued partnership with the UPA and its role in growing the sport to what it's become today.

Pardoe went on:

The UPA doesn't play when its comes to the exclusivity terms of its pro contracts. Just recently, they terminated the contract of pro Quang Duong for repeated breaches, including playing in unsanctioned events in Vietnam.

The openness of the LT Open means top players from other tours – like APP singles powerhouses Chris Haworth, Armaan Bhatia and Sofia Sewing – could go head-to-head with the likes of Ben Johns, Hunter Johnson or Anna Leigh Waters.

That same privilege, The Dink has learned, will not be extended to Quang Duong. A league source confirmed to us that, even if he wants to, Duong will not be permitted to participate.

Life Time's pursuit of pickleball

Life Time has made quite a name for itself in the pickleball world. They're one of the leading facility owners and operators with more than 800 dedicated pickleball courts across North America.

They created their own pickleball, the LT Pro 48, which has become a favorite among rec players and pros alike looking for faster and more consistent play.

And they play host to several professional events throughout the year, including the pro-favorite in San Clemente, CA, in June. New this year, a Life Time in Sacramento, CA, will host the Vintage Open, "honoring the heritage of pickleball" with wooden paddles only.

LT Open details

Player registration for the LT open is live and spectator tickets are on sale now.

The cost to register is $299. Spectator tickets start at $30.

For format is as follows:

• Men’s Singles: Rally scoring to 21, best 3/5, Win by one, Win on serve,  Single elimination
• Women’s Singles: Traditional scoring to 11, best 3/5, Win by two, Win on serve, Single elimination

The $250,000 total prize purse breaks out like this (for men and women each):

• Champion: $50,000
• Runner-up: $15,000
• Semifinalist: $8000
• Quarterfinalist: $3000
• Round of 16: $2000
• Round of 32: $1000

For more: https://ltopen.lifetime.life/