MLP St. Pete Recap - Orlando Squeeze Stay in the Hunt

Major League Pickleball | June 17-21, St. Petersburg, FL

Tournament Overview

Orlando’s third stop of the 2026 Major League Pickleball season brought a mix of pressure and progress as the Squeeze worked through a demanding St. Petersburg slate. Orlando opened against the Columbus Sliders, dropping the match before quickly resetting with a 3–1 win over Miami Pickleball Club to regain momentum and stay in the hunt through group play.

The middle stretch proved decisive. Losses to the Texas Ranchers and the league-leading St. Louis Shock tested Orlando against two of the toughest lineups in the field. The Squeeze closed with its best response on the final day, grinding out a 3–2 win over in-state rivals, the Palm Beach Royals, in the tournament’s most competitive finish. The result capped a 2–3 weekend and reinforced the team’s ability to stay composed in tight match scenarios.

 The Squeeze now sits at 8-7 on the season with 19 points, holding the 8^th spot in the current MLP standings — well within playoff range as the schedule turns toward the Mid-Season Tournament in Grand Rapids.

Tournament Results
The following reflects Orlando Squeeze's performance across all matches played:

Final standing / placement out of teams competing in St. Pete: 9th
Overall record (W-L): 2-3

Tournament Highlights
Player Performances

•  Jack Sock — After battling through 5 matches, Sock earned Player of the Match (presented by AdventHealth) recognition after Orlando’s 3-2 win against Palm Beach.

•  Milly Rane – Earned Player of the Match (presented by AdventHealth) recognition after Orlando’s 3-1 win over Miami.

Key Moments

•  Day 2 steadied Orlando after an opening loss, with the win over Miami keeping the Squeeze in position in the standings and carrying momentum into a high-profile matchup with St. Louis.

•  A 3–2 win over Palm Beach to close the weekend marked Orlando’s tightest result, showing the team’s ability to execute in deciding games.

Team Quote
“I used to watch him, (Roger Federer) and he would play (Rafael Nadal). For me, in the beginning, it was kind of crazy — like this guy is here with us. For me, it was surreal; I'm playing with Jack Sock on a pickleball court.”

— Federico Staksrud, Orlando Squeeze Tour Pro on his teamwork with Jack Sock

Next Tournament

Follow the Orlando Squeeze on social media for live updates, player content, and behind-the-scenes coverage from St. Petersburg.

Instagram Handle: @orlandosqueeze
TikTok Handle: @orlandosqueeze
Website URL: orlandosqueeze.com