The 2024 North Pole Christmas Pickleball Tournament powered by Hot Cocoa and Christmas Cheer is back for the second year. And folks, it was competitive.  

Pickleball’s popularity in the North Pole has increased exponentially, and Santa’s elves achieved a record high for most pickleball paddles requested for Christmas. But now that the toymaking is done, it’s time to take a look at what went down at the event.

Here’s the left side of the draw. 

We have the defending champ, Yukon Cornelius from Santa Claus is Coming to Town, sitting as the No. 1 seed who quickly knocks out Frosty the Snowman. 

Another notable player, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas himself is here and he is a crowd favorite. Kringle fights a battle against the No. 12 seed, Charlie Brown. Charlie is visibly upset at how much the Christmas pickleball tour has been commercialized over the year.

Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas came out on top against the evil Winter Warlock, who struggled to put one foot in front of the other on the court. 

Underdog Hermey the Elf from Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, who came in as the No. 16 seed last year, has jumped all the way up to the No. 4 seed after completing his dentistry school education over the summer. Full-time dentist and pickleball pro. Talk about a player who has it all. 

After Hermey makes a mockery of villain, Burgermeister Meisterburger from Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Hermey quickly becomes a crowd favorite and advances to the semis. 

Here’s the right side of the round of 16 draw. 

Silver medalist Lucy van Pelt from A Charlie Brown Christmas is not happy about that No. 2 seed. She’s been practicing wall drills to take that gold medal from Cornelius. After pickling poor Sally Brown, Lucy moves on to the semis. 

Frosty the Snowman’s rival, Professor Hinkle is back. Last year, he made quite a run up the bracket. He and Pig-Pen from A Charlie Brown Christmas have one dirty match with Hinkle hitting a few too many aces that look almost magical. 

But the match of the day has to be the brawl between Lucy’s little brother Linus van Pelt and the Abominable Snow Monster. Lucy made her little brother be her drilling partner all year. And she expertly taught him how to use that trusty blanket as a proper weapon on the court. 

But the Abominable’s sheer size and reach came out on top, to Lucy and Linus’ utter disappointment. 

And it’s no shock when the No. 6 seed, Grinch knocks out Karen from Frosty the Snowman 11-7. 

The Quarterfinals

The fascinating thing is that all of the heroes ended up on the right side of the bracket and the villains ended on the left, which means the finals will be a major clash of good versus evil. 

The North Pole was about to turn into upset city when Cindy Lou was up 8-0 against No. 1 seed Yukon Cornelius. It was looking like the youngster was going to crack the bracket wide open, but Cornelius gained some momentum after the Island of Misfit Toys came to show their support. 

There’s another incredible battle in the quarters between the No. 4 and No. 5 seed, Hermey the Elf and Kris Kringle. But there were a few questionable calls from refs, who clearly didn't want to end up on the naughty list – Kringle put a stop to Hermey’s run to the championship. 

On the villain’s side of the bracket, Lucy and The Abominable Snow Monster is another highlight reel. Despite The Abominable’s strategic intimidation tactics, Lucy comes out on top with an ATP that’s guaranteed to make December’s SportsCenter Top 10. 

But as soon as The Grinch steps across the court from Professor Hinkle, Hinkle cracks under the pressure. Hinkle tries to save his game with a couple of bad line calls, but the Grinch remains unfazed and hits an Erne to win the game.

The Grinch is looking so strong – he might steal this tournament like he stole Christmas from the Whos. 

The Semi-Finals 

Finally, it’s time for the semis. In a shocking turn of events, Kringle upsets the No. 1 seed, ending Yukon Cornelius’s chance at a back-to-back title. The tournament is wide open now. 

On the grandstand court, The Grinch continues his unstoppable run and knocks out Lucy van Pelt. Lucy storms off and says, “I hate pickleball. I’m switching to tennis.” 

But it all comes down to this.  

Championship Sunday

The No. 5 seed Kris Kringle and the No. 6 seed The Grinch. The ultimate clash between good and evil. A figurehead of Christmas and the villain who actively hates Christmas. 

As soon as the match starts – The Grinch got a wonderful, awful idea. Clad in a makeshift Santa suit, The Grinch gets under Kringle’s skin, making a mockery of Kringle. The Grinch taunts, teases, and manically laughs when a net cord doesn’t go Kringle’s way. 

The Grinch’s dog, Max, also sits courtside and offers strategic advice that’s critical to The Grinch’s success on the icy court today.  

The Grinch wins the match in two against Kringle with a final score of 11-8, 12-10. 

Though it was a controversial win, Kringle and Grinch tap paddles as DJ Schroeder plays “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” on piano. 

But something peculiar happens as The Grinch receives his medal. Suddenly, as the North Pole sun starts to dip into the sky, and the crowd of Christmas enthusiasts clap and cheer for him, The Grinch starts to smile. And he clutches his chest and his heart beats louder, bigger, grander. 

He exclaims with a sudden, incredible joy, “My heart has grown three sizes today!” 

And the crowd erupts with a holly jolly glee. 

After this major victory, The Grinch signed with Paddletek and has plans to release a signature Grinch Green paddle. And Max scores an endless supply of pickleball paddle chew toys and is now known as the best coach in the biz. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Pickleball.com!