Katie Morris played a starring role in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Morris, 25, who works for Head sports equipment, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.

“This is my first time playing in the English Open – I actually came here last year through work because we had a stand, but I didn’t play,” said Epsom's Morris.

“It’s been great, there are so many courts and I think this has reached people from about 40 different countries.

“Since I’ve taken it up it seems to have really accelerated, based on what other people have said.

“I guess I didn’t really know about how it’s growing at the start, but I am now.

“It’s given me the chance to play in Spain quite a lot – there have been a few tournaments in France, but I haven’t played in any of those yet.”

This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.

Pickleball England has reported a 41% increase in member registrations since the end of 2023, highlighting growth and interest in the sport and Morris is firmly invested in the sport’s development across her personal and professional life.

“I work for a racket sports brand, we do tennis, padel, pickleball and squash, so pickleball is one of our main sports we manufacture products for,” added Morris.

“I got into it through that, really, when I started playing and testing out our paddles.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org