Having secured silver at last month’s New Zealand Open in Auckland, Whakatāne pickleballers Jillian Hohepa and Tracey Whitley have their eyes set on gold.

Feeling proud and motivated after their doubles success, Hohepa and Whitley are already looking ahead to next year’s national open in Wellington.

Pickleball is one of the country’s fastest growing sports with player numbers doubling every year over the past five years.

In September, 400 of the top players converged on the Total Coach Tennis Centre in Auckland for the New Zealand Open.

For the Whakatāne duo, it was a new experience.

“It was our first time at the New Zealand Open and first time competing in a singles match and wow … what an experience. The atmosphere was amazing with so many talented players,” Hohepa said.

In the singles, Hohepa climbed through the ranks, nearly topping her pool of 24 other players and solidifying a place in the quarterfinals. She finished eighth overall with four wins out of six matches.

“Playing singles is a whole different game. It’s way more physical when you don’t have a partner to rely on, but I loved the challenge,” said Hohepa.

“The women’s doubles were just as epic with some tough competition. It was loads of fun, and we’re absolutely buzzing to be bringing home a silver medal,” she said.

In the doubles, Hohepa and Whitley flew through their first three pool games with ease but the quarter finals through to the finals were a different story. Claiming a spot in the final was a battle.

“Once we had a finals spot secured, we were just happy to be there regardless of the outcome,” said Hohepa.

The final was a three-game shootout with Hohepa and Whitley taking the first round.

Having lost the second round, the third round was a closely fought duel with an Auckland team, which eventually took the gold with a score of 11-13.

“It was such a tough game between both teams, but we were happy to take silver in the 3.5 and under women’s doubles division and for Pickleball Whakatane,”