BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Pickleball players from coast-to-coast have been in Bristol, Tennessee, since Wednesday competing for the top spot in the Carvana PPA Pickleball Tournament.

“It was huge last year in our first year. This year, it’s 40% larger in terms of players,” said Bristol Sportsplex owner Matt Lavinder. “So, there is over 1,100 and 800 last year. So it was a real success last year.”

Both men and women competed in doubles and singles matches to capture gold, silver, or bronze medals — but Lavinder said this isn’t just any stop on the tour.

“We’ve got people from the West Coast and big cities, they’re really infatuated with this part of the country,” Lavinder said. “They’ve never been here before, and so it’s really cool to hear their feedback. So, the pickleball brings them here. But I think the culture and the culture here in the heart of the southern hospitality makes it a special experience.”

The stands at the Sportsplex were filled with fans to watch great players like Altaf Merchant, who has the most wins in Senior Professional Pickleball history.

“The energy and the love that was there in that first event, you knew it was something special,” Merchant told News Channel 11. “Like right away, you’re like, man, this thing is a legitimate tour, finally.”

With the game only expected to grow more, both players and the Sportsplex want the tournament back in Tennessee.

“I would come back to Bristol for two reasons. It’s a PPA, and I love playing PPA. But more importantly, I can drive you in on my drive from my house to Bristol. I pass two Buc-ee’s on the way,” Merchant said.

“I’m hopeful that they’ll, they’ll be eager to come back next year,” Lavinder added.

You can find a full list of the winners here.