Adidas Players Shine at the Raleigh PPA Challenger

The Raleigh PPA Challenger, which concluded yesterday in Raleigh, North Carolina, delivered a competitive weekend of professional pickleball and strong results for players supported by adidas.
At the end of the tournament, James Delgado claimed second place, while Rafa Hewett secured third place, highlighting a solid showing across the final rounds.

Events like Raleigh continue to underline the importance of the PPA Challenger Series as a proving ground for high-level competition.

What Is the PPA Challenger?

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Challenger Series is part of the official PPA circuit, designed to bring together established professionals and emerging talent. These tournaments feature deep draws, multiple match days, and demanding schedules, making consistency and preparation key to success.

Challenger events offer valuable competitive experience and ranking opportunities, while also giving fans the chance to watch high-intensity matches in a dynamic tournament environment.

James Delgado Finishes Runner-Up in Men’s Singles

James Delgado put together a strong run throughout the Raleigh Challenger, advancing through the draw to reach the final stages of the Men’s Singles competition. In the gold-medal match, Delgado finished second overall, closing the tournament with a silver-medal result.

Reaching the final at a Challenger event reflects the ability to maintain focus and performance across multiple rounds against a competitive field.

Rafa Hewett Claims Third Place in Men’s Doubles

Rafa Hewett also delivered a strong performance in Raleigh, finishing third in Men’s Doubles alongside his partner Will MacKinnon. The duo secured their place on the podium with a convincing win in the bronze-medal match, closing out the tournament on a high note.

Podium finishes at Challenger events are often the result of consistency over long match days and the ability to handle pressure in key moments.

Performance on Court, Equipment Off It

Competing across several days of professional matches places heavy demands on players and their equipment. Stability, control, and reliability become essential, particularly in fast-paced exchanges and extended rallies.

At All Racquet Sports, players can explore a wide range of adidas pickleball paddles designed to meet those demands, inspired by the same performance standards seen on tour. While professional players may use customized or pro-stock equipment, retail models are built around similar performance principles.

Looking Ahead: Daytona Beach Open

With Raleigh now wrapped up, attention turns to the PPA Tour Daytona Beach Open, one of the next major stops on the professional calendar. Players supported by adidas who regularly compete on the PPA circuit — including James Delgado, Rafa Hewett, CJ Klinger, Mari Humberg, Jaume Martinez Vich, and John Cincola — are expected to be part of the field as the tour continues in Florida.

The Raleigh PPA Challenger once again showcased the depth and competitiveness of the professional pickleball scene. With more tournaments ahead, performances like those from Delgado and Hewett continue to highlight the level of play across the PPA circuit.

All Racquet Sports will keep following key events throughout the season, sharing tournament recaps and updates while connecting players with the equipment used at the highest levels of the game.