The play was sparkling on the court at this year’s English OPEN – and there was something eyecatchingly shiny off the court as well.
Luxury jeweller Sanjay Pattni, owner of Mayfair Jewellers, created what is believed to be the world’s first diamond-set pickleball, and unveiled it at last week’s landmark event.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always believed jewellery should tell a story. It should celebrate passions, achievements and moments that matter,” said Pattni in a media statement. “Until recently, however, I didn’t imagine one of those passions would be pickleball.”
He began playing pickleball at his gym, and now admits that it has become an “obsession”.
“It’s competitive without being intimidating, but more importantly it’s incredibly social. Complete strangers become good friends, and that’s something really special.”
After meeting Thaddea Lock at a festival, Pattni was inspired to create Paddelle, a jewellery collection designed for racquet sports players, and now the world’s first diamond-set pickleball is intended as a celebration of pickleball’s rise and continued progress.
“The team at Pickleball England have been wonderful to work with and we share a genuine alignment in wanting to grow the sport and celebrate its community,” added Pattni. “Launching the diamond pickleball at the English OPEN felt like the perfect moment.”
