Pickleball: Kids Day, pro exhibition to kick off U.S. Open week in Naples on Tuesday

"The first event of the inaugural U.S. Open is Kids Day, when around 85 fifth-graders from nearby Avalon Elementary get to watch a pro exhibition on the newly-installed championship court at East Naples Community Park. The kids also get to break in the 48 pickleball courts installed for the five-day national event.

"We want to get kids involved with the sport because it's a sport they can learn quickly," U.S. Open tournament director Jim Ludwig said. "From there we want to get them out on the courts playing with their parents and grandparents. It's a sport where you can do that."

Kids Day ties in with Pickleball For All, a Naples-based charity started by Ludwig that will benefit from U.S. Open proceeds."

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