Pickleball is capturing the imagination of sports fans across the UK, from busy courts in London to local clubs in Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow. With participation growing at about 15% annually and over 10,000 UK players, watching professional matches offers real insight for both beginners (roughly 40 % of the market) and seasoned players.

One memorable moment from 2024 was the Men’s Singles Final at the Veolia LA Open, where Connor Garnett produced an Around-the-Post (ATP) shot against Federico Staksrud to clinch victory in a three-game battle (7-11, 11-9, 11-4). This contest, part of the PPA Tour, highlighted shot creativity, endurance, and mental focus.

UK players in Leeds, Southampton, or elsewhere can benefit from studying each rally, learning how pros manage momentum, positioning, and composure under pressure. Paddles with spin control and manoeuvrability support these lessons, especially in tighter exchanges. In this guide, we’ll break down the match, profile both players, and draw out actionable tips for players in Cardiff, Edinburgh, or beyond.

The Veolia LA Open: Tournament Overview

The Veolia LA Open, staged in Los Angeles in April 2024 as part of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, is one of the circuit’s standout events, showcasing elite players across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The tournament drew global attention for its high-pressure matches and creative shot-making, highlighted by Connor Garnett’s spectacular Around the Post (ATP) winner against Federico Staksrud in the men’s singles final.

For players and fans in the UK, following events like this through Selkirk TV or PPA livestreams offers valuable insights into the professional game and can inspire training on home courts from London to Glasgow. Garnett’s 7-11, 11-9, 11-4 victory not only delivered his first PPA gold medal but also underlined the importance of resilience, tactical adjustment, and composure under pressure. Lasting more than an hour, the final featured extended rallies and momentum swings that demonstrate why pickleball is capturing attention in the UK, where clubs and leagues are growing at a remarkable pace.

Background on Connor Garnett

Connor Garnett, born in Bellevue, Washington, has rapidly established himself as one of the most exciting players on the professional pickleball circuit. Still only 26 years old, he began playing competitively in 2022 and has already climbed to the top tier of the men’s singles rankings, reaching as high as world number three. His swift rise is remarkable, driven by a mix of athleticism, intelligence, and fearlessness in big moments.

Before discovering pickleball, Garnett was a standout college tennis player at Santa Clara University. Representing the Broncos, he became a key figure in their tennis programme, developing the footwork, shot tolerance, and tactical instincts that would later transfer seamlessly to the pickleball court. Off the court, he completed a finance degree at the Leavey School of Business and even spent time as an investment banker before deciding to pursue pickleball full-time, a move that has already paid dividends.

Since turning pro, Garnett has collected over 20 Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) medals, with his breakthrough gold medal coming at the Veolia LA Open in 2024. That victory was punctuated by a daring Around the Post (ATP) shot against Federico Staksrud, a moment that captured international attention and earned him a place on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays. His highlights have since become a staple of PPA coverage, with fans praising his mix of power, creativity, and relentless energy.

Beyond his on-court achievements, Garnett has channelled his entrepreneurial spirit into founding CG Pickleball, a brand dedicated to equipment and community development. This reflects his wider commitment to growing the sport, mentoring players, and making pickleball more accessible. For UK players, this approach resonates with the grassroots growth seen across local clubs in cities like Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh.

Garnett’s playing style is defined by aggression and adaptability. He thrives on speed, explosive movement, and the ability to hit winners from defensive positions. His use of spin, particularly in angled dinks and ATP attempts, keeps opponents constantly under pressure. At the same time, he stresses the importance of mental resilience, a trait he honed during his tennis career and one that is invaluable on windy outdoor courts in Brighton or Cardiff, where focus and patience can decide close matches.

For players in the UK, Garnett’s story is a blueprint for how racket sports skills can transfer to pickleball. His aggressive net play shows how tennis backgrounds can be leveraged, while his commitment to consistent routines demonstrates that improvement comes from steady practice. Using paddles with tennis-inspired handles, such as the Volleyer T700 with its comfortable grip and spin-friendly carbon fibre face, can help UK players replicate some of Garnett’s techniques (see our grips guide).

In under three years, Garnett has gone from a new face in the sport to one of pickleball’s headline stars, collecting medals, inspiring young players, and pushing the boundaries of creativity with shots that regularly go viral. His journey underlines pickleball’s growing global appeal, and for UK players, his example offers both motivation and a clear path to developing the skills needed to compete at a higher level.

Background on Federico Staksrud

Federico Staksrud, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1991, is one of the most consistent and strategic players on the professional pickleball circuit. A former national-level tennis competitor, Staksrud transitioned to pickleball in 2018 and has since become a top doubles and singles player, earning numerous PPA medals and reaching the finals at major events including the Veolia LA Open.

Staksrud’s tennis background laid the foundation for his exceptional footwork, tactical awareness, and control over spin. He combines a calm, patient style with a high level of shot precision, making him a formidable opponent in long rallies. Unlike many aggressive players, he thrives on forcing errors and building pressure point by point, demonstrating that mental discipline is just as important as physical skill.

At 34 years old, Staksrud is known for his defensive strength and endurance. He excels at reading opponents’ movements, positioning himself optimally to return powerful shots and maintain control of the court. His mastery of topspin and angled drives allows him to keep rallies alive while setting up opportunities for decisive points. This methodical approach makes him a model for UK players looking to balance aggression with smart play.

Off the court, Staksrud has applied his tennis coaching experience to mentoring other players, emphasising fundamentals and consistency over flashy plays. His philosophy resonates with UK clubs, where players of all levels benefit from focusing on footwork, positioning, and strategic shot selection. For instance, practising controlled dinks and returns using a spin-friendly paddle can help UK players mirror Staksrud’s tactical style and improve rally longevity.

Staksrud’s career highlights include multiple PPA titles in both singles and doubles, and he remains a regular fixture in high-level tournaments. His consistency and strategic mindset make him particularly effective in pressure situations, and he demonstrates how patience and careful planning can often overcome raw power. UK players can learn from his example by developing endurance, reading the game effectively, and practising precision shots under match conditions.

In addition, Staksrud’s calm demeanor under pressure offers lessons in mental resilience. Maintaining focus during long rallies or when trailing in a match is crucial, especially on UK indoor or outdoor courts where distractions like crowd noise or windy conditions can affect play. Using a reliable carbon fibre paddle, such as the Volleyer T700, can help replicate his precision and spin while practising these techniques (see our spin guide).

Federico Staksrud’s journey from Argentine tennis courts to international pickleball prominence demonstrates the value of strategy, patience, and adaptability. For UK players, studying his approach provides a template for disciplined, intelligent play that can elevate both singles and doubles performance.

Match Preview & Player Insights: Garnett vs Staksrud

The Men’s Singles Final at the 2024 Veolia LA Open brought together two very different styles of play: Connor Garnett, the young, aggressive up-and-comer from the US, and Federico Staksrud, the experienced, methodical Argentine. The clash promised a test of speed, creativity, and strategy, providing valuable lessons for UK players looking to develop their own game.

Player Styles and Strengths

Connor Garnett

• Age: 26 | Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
• Style: Aggressive, creative, and fast. Known for ATP (Around the Post) shots, angled dinks, and quick net play.
• Background: Former college tennis player with over 20 PPA medals. Founded CG Pickleball and regularly features in highlight reels.
• UK Takeaways: Garnett demonstrates how tennis skills transfer to pickleball, emphasising speed, shot variation, and mental resilience. Lightweight, spin-friendly paddles like the Volleyer T700 help replicate his aggressive style in UK club practice.

Federico Staksrud

• Age: 34 | Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Style: Patient, precise, and strategic. Excels at defensive play, long rallies, and topspin control.
• Background: Former national-level tennis player, transitioned to pickleball in 2018. Multiple PPA medals in singles and doubles.
• UK Takeaways: Staksrud’s game is a blueprint for disciplined, tactical play. UK players can learn to balance patience with calculated aggression, practising footwork, positioning, and spin control using carbon fibre paddles.

Contrasting Approaches

This final highlighted the contrast between Garnett’s high-risk, high-reward approach and Staksrud’s controlled, methodical style. Garnett thrives on speed and creativity, keeping opponents off balance with unpredictable angles. Staksrud relies on consistency, forcing opponents to make errors while setting up key points with precise placement and spin.

For UK players, this contrast illustrates an essential lesson: effective pickleball is about balancing aggression with control. Beginners and intermediate players can focus on building a solid foundation in consistency and positioning, while more advanced players can integrate aggressive shot-making, creativity, and risk management.

UK Relevance

Watching this matchup provides UK players with insights that can be applied on both indoor and outdoor courts across the country. From Glasgow to Brighton, clubs are growing rapidly, and observing how pros manage momentum, make tactical adjustments, and maintain composure can improve local doubles and singles play. Practising key techniques, like angled shots, ATP attempts, and defensive resets. In combination with a reliable paddle such as the Volleyer T700 allows UK players to translate these lessons into their own game.

Match Breakdown: Connor Garnett vs Federico Staksrud

The Men’s Singles Final at the Veolia LA Open was a thrilling three-game encounter, showcasing contrasting styles and elite-level strategy. Garnett’s bold aggression faced off against Staksrud’s disciplined consistency, producing over an hour of intense rallies and momentum swings.

Game One (11‑7 to Staksrud)

Staksrud began strongly, immediately asserting control with his patient, precise play. He forced Garnett into long rallies, exploiting small errors and maintaining consistent depth on his shots. Garnett attempted ATP and angled shots but struggled to find rhythm against Staksrud’s defensive positioning.

UK takeaway: Focus on consistency and positioning in early match stages. Beginners and intermediate players in UK clubs can practise steady baseline play to maintain control while waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

Game Two (11‑9 to Garnett)

Garnett adjusted his strategy, introducing more variety and aggression. He began using angled dinks and drop shots to disrupt Staksrud’s rhythm. The pivotal moment came midway through the game, when Garnett executed a well-timed Around the Post shot, shifting momentum in his favour. Staksrud’s defensive skills kept him close, but Garnett’s creativity proved decisive.

UK takeaway: Learn to adapt mid-game. UK players should practise combining controlled rallies with surprise attacking shots. Using a spin-friendly paddle like the Volleyer T700 can help replicate Garnett’s ATP attempts and angled dinks.

Game Three (11‑4 to Garnett)

With momentum fully on his side, Garnett maintained pressure, accelerating points and taking calculated risks. Staksrud tried to regain control with patient baseline exchanges, but Garnett’s speed and net dominance proved too much. His aggressive shot-making, particularly at the kitchen line, allowed him to close the match decisively.

UK takeaway: Maintaining momentum and confidence is crucial. UK players can practise finishing points efficiently, focusing on quick transitions to the net and smart placement rather than raw power alone.

Key Match Highlights

• ATP Shot: Garnett’s Around the Post winner was the turning point, demonstrating creativity under pressure.
• Longest Rally: 16 shots, showing the importance of stamina and consistency.
• Momentum Shifts: The second game illustrated how tactical adjustments can change the flow of a match.

Lessons for UK Players

Practice precision and spin: Use paddles that allow controlled topspin and angled shots, like the Volleyer T700, to improve shot variety.r advanced players, making it one of the best pickleball paddles in the UK.

Adaptability is key: Adjust your tactics if your opponent changes pace or positioning.

Balance aggression with control: Mix bold shots with consistent rallies to keep opponents guessing.

Focus on kitchen skills: Strong net play and quick recovery can make a difference in crucial points.

Stamina matters: Build endurance to stay sharp during extended rallies, especially for indoor or outdoor UK courts.

Key Takeaways & Coaching Tips for UK Players

Studying Connor Garnett vs Federico Staksrud provides actionable insights for players at all levels across the UK.

✔ Adaptability Wins Matches

• Garnett’s mid-game adjustments highlight the importance of changing tactics when opponents disrupt your rhythm.
• UK takeaway: practise reading opponents’ movement and altering shot selection in real time.

✔ Mix Aggression with Control

• Bold shots like Garnett’s ATP can shift momentum, but consistency remains essential.
• UK takeaway: balance risk-taking with reliable rallies on indoor and outdoor courts.

✔ Master the Kitchen Line

• Quick net transitions and precise volleys allowed Garnett to dominate final points.
• UK takeaway: drill footwork, balance, and positioning near the non-volley zone line.

✔ Build Stamina

• Long rallies in the final emphasised endurance and mental focus.
• UK takeaway: incorporate extended rally drills to maintain sharpness in matches lasting 40–60 minutes.

✔ Use Spin and Precision

• Garnett’s angled dinks and controlled topspin put Staksrud under pressure.
• UK takeaway: a spin-friendly paddle like the Volleyer T700 helps replicate these techniques and improve shot variety.

✔ Learn from Momentum Shifts

UK takeaway: practise recovering from deficits and turning points in your favour.

Game two demonstrated how a single creative shot can change the flow of a match.