Staff Reports | Community Updates
Scottsdale pickleball player, coach and entrepreneur Brett Warner has earned his fifth consecutive national title at the USA Pickleball National Championships in San Diego, California.
Mr. Warner won the 5.0 40+ men’s singles division, defeating Huy Nguyen of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 11–5, 11–3, in the championship match, according to a press release.
The match was selected by USA Pickleball for championship court placement between professional division matches as part of an effort to highlight amateur play on the national broadcast. The match aired from San Diego’s Barnes Tennis Center as part of USA Pickleball’s championship coverage produced by QVC.
“Playing for a national title in front of a full stadium was surreal,” Mr. Warner said in a prepared statement. “Sharing that moment with my wife, Anna, who’s supported me every step of the way, our kids Owen and Tessa on their first tournament trip, and my parents, Christopher and Mary Jo, cheering courtside, meant a great deal.”
Mr. Warner will attempt to continue his national title streak in 2026. To qualify, he must first compete in — and win — a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event. Arizona’s Golden Ticket Tournament is scheduled from Jan. 21 to Jan. 25, 2026, at Glendale’s Center Court Pickleball Club.
Mr. Warner is part of the founding and leadership team behind PURE Pickleball & Padel, a more than 195,000‑square‑foot indoor facility and professional arena planned to open in 2027 in north Scottsdale. The venue is expected to include a 1,200‑seat pro arena, 40 indoor pickleball courts, 8 indoor padel courts, a performance and recovery center by HonorHealth, and a restaurant, teaching kitchen and event spaces operated by Wolfgang Puck Catering.
PURE recently launched its PURE Academy program for youth and adult player development. The organization also introduced Arizona High School Pickleball, which supports more than 30 staff‑sponsored, student‑led high school pickleball clubs statewide. Mr. Warner helped establish these programs and contributes to coaching and player development.
In early December, PURE led the first Arizona High School Pickleball Championships in Mesa. The event, presented by HonorHealth and certified by USA Pickleball, included 145 competitors from 25 high school clubs competing across divisions for five state titles and an overall champion.
Mr. Warner has since been invited to serve as commissioner of the Arizona High School Pickleball League this spring. The league plans to introduce a team‑based competition structure, which PURE leaders believe aligns with requirements for potential future recognition by the Arizona Interscholastic Association as an official high school sport.
While Mr. Warner is well‑known in national pickleball circles, he is one of several competitive players involved in shaping PURE Pickleball & Padel.
PURE CEO Kevin J. Berk and his brother, Kent Berk, won the PPA Worlds 4.0 50+ men’s doubles title in 2025 and will compete in the upcoming Golden Ticket qualifier. Stephanie Newton, director of PURE Pickleball & Padel and head coach of PURE Academy, recently won the American Team Pickleball League’s national title in the 4.0 women’s division and will also compete in the Golden Ticket tournament.
“There’s a real sense of momentum,” Mr. Warner said. “PURE is a team-driven effort built by people who are deeply involved in the pickleball community and committed to supporting players at every level.”
