(Lima, Peru – November 12, 2024) – In a dramatic and historic showdown at the Pickleball World Cup 2024, the Puerto Rico Pickleball Team emerged victorious, claiming the championship title after a nail-biting series of matches held in Lima, Peru. Led by standout player Melissa Roth Richards, the team demonstrated skill, resilience, and teamwork to bring home the win for Puerto Rico.

Richards – vice president and general counsel for Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services – noted the tournament was about more than winning. “It was about celebrating the sport we all love. Competing alongside such talented players from around the world is an honor, and the camaraderie and sportsmanship we shared with each team is something I’ll cherish. We’re all ambassadors of pickleball, and together, we’re helping it grow into a truly global sport,” she said.

The journey to victory was not without its challenges. In the crucial match against India, Puerto Rico’s dynamic duo, Claudia Santini and Richards, took on India’s top players Rakshika Ravi and Anshi Sheth. In a close and intense game, Santini and Richards edged out their opponents with a 15-13 win, showcasing their strength and synergy on the court.

Richards admitted the Indian team was exceptional and fierce competitors. “They challenged us on the court. They brought an incredible energy and skill level that pushed us to give everything we had. Competing against such strong opponents only deepened my respect for the sport and the players worldwide who make it so special,” she said.

However, the competition intensified in the women’s doubles final, where Richards and Santini faced home team Peru who had a huge crowd in the stands cheering. In this game to 21, Richards and Santini fought back from a 17-20 deficit to come back and win 27-25 overcoming 5 match points against them. After the women’s match, in a show of determination and focus, the Puerto Rico team swept their opponents 3-0 to secure the Pickleball World Cup title.

“Our team poured their hearts into every game. Each one of us played not only for ourselves but for Puerto Rico. The spirit and dedication I saw in my teammates was inspiring, and it’s a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared goal,” Richards said.
The Puerto Rico Pickleball Team’s win marks a significant achievement in the sport, highlighting the growing popularity and competitive spirit of pickleball worldwide. The team’s outstanding performance at the World Cup will undoubtedly inspire players across Puerto Rico and beyond.

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Contact:

Bill McIntyre, bmcintyre@globalrescue.com +1 (202) 560-1195

About Pickleball World Cup 2024

The Pickleball World Cup held October 22–28, 2024 in Lima, Peru is an annual international tournament bringing together the best amateur pickleball players with a max DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) rating of 5.5 in a team format similar to Major League Pickleball – women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and two mixed doubles matches. If there is a 2-2 tie, a Dreambreaker singles tiebreaker takes place with one player from each team playing singles against each other, swapping in a different singles player every four points until one team reaches a score of 21 and wins by two points.

About Global Rescue

Global Rescue provided emergency and crisis support during the Pickleball World Cup 2024 in the event of illness or injury. Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.