Brazil’s Marcello Jardim has played racquet sports for most of his life – and will be competing in the senior categories at the English OPEN this weekend.
He played pickleball for the first time in 2017, inspired by his sister Simone, then ranked number one in the world, but it took a few more years for him to switch to the sport in earnest.
“It wasn’t until 2023, during a visit to Naples, Florida, that Simone suggested I train to play on the senior professional circuit in the US,” he tells Pickleball 52.
“She told me I had a lot of potential, and I ultimately decided to follow her advice.”
He has plenty of praise for his sister – one of the sport’s biggest icons, who won the US Open triple crown in 2017 and 2018.
“My sister has inspired me and many others; she’s a fighter and a great example of an athlete.”
Marcello has played plenty of APP tournaments in the US, and visited the WPBL in India earlier this year – and now he will be competing in Telford in all three men’s 50+ open categories.
“The English Open is the biggest and best event in Europe; an example to follow,” he says. “As for results, I’m going to give my best and try to win as many wins as possible!”
