Keith John Walker starred in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Retired transport manager Walker, 76, 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.

“I was playing tennis at a local village and this guy called Anthony Pledge was playing, and he mentioned this game, pickleball, to me,” said Settle's Walker.

“I thought ‘what a strange name,’ so he describe what it was and the next Monday he came with a paddle in his hand and a pickleball, and said: ‘This is what we play with.’

“I had a go with a paddle and thought ‘this sounds good,’ because I’d played squash, I’d played tennis and various sports.

“I think the people that have organised it have done a fantastic job, a brilliant job.”

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 really has grown in this country – it’s obviously very big in America – but it really is growing everywhere over here,” added Walker.

“Since I took it up, I’ve loved playing in the tournaments and I love the social side to it.

“I think the social side is superb – you don’t get anybody falling out much during a game and you can go for a beer after a game.”

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