Twin Brothers Look To Set Guinness World Record At Stamford's Pickleball America

STAMFORD, CT — Identical twins Angelo and Ettore Rossetti will attempt to set a Guinness World Record this month for the longest pickleball rally.

On Aug. 17 at Pickleball America in Stamford, the Rossetti brothers will aim for at least 10,000 consecutive volleys without a bounce. The attempt is part of Pickleball Rally for Charity, a special event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for global humanitarian organization Save the Children.

By definition, a volley is a shot hit out of the air before it touches the court. In pickleball, the difficulty is heightened by a seven foot non-volley zone on either side of the net.

The event will start at 12 p.m. and will run through 4 p.m. in person and through a livestream. The Rossetti brothers aim to raise at least $10,000 to match their 10,000-volley rally count for Save the Children.

Donations can be pledged via the event website.

The Rossetti brothers have attempted Guinness World Record titles in the past to fundraise for charity. They've raised over $250,000 for Save the Children and other organizations.

In 2008, they rallied a tennis ball for 14 hours and 31 minutes. In 2015, on Roger Federer’s birthday, they set the Guinness World Record title for the longest tennis volley rally with 30,576 consecutive volleys in five hours and 28 minutes.

Most recently, on Oct. 10, 2021—World Mental Health Day—they set the Guinness World Record title record for the longest pickleball rally, completing 16,046 shots in six hours and 11 minutes.

"Being recognized as a humanitarian who makes a positive difference in people’s lives, especially reducing child suffering in the US and around the world, is more important to me than setting world records," said Ettore Rossetti in a news release.

Ettore is the head advisor for emerging technology, innovation & partnerships at Save the Children.

Angelo Rossetti is the co-founder of Rossetti Brothers Pickleball, which is based in Connecticut. The brothers have been certified USPTA Elite tennis teaching professionals for more than 30 years.

"Our attempt is about serving others first and helping children around the world to experience a healthy, joyous and purposeful life through pickleball,"Angelo said in a news release.

Billed as the largest indoor pickleball facility in the country, Pickleball America opened at the Stamford Town Center last fall.

"Pickleball America is fully supportive of the Rossetti Brothers’ attempt for the Guinness World Records title for the longest pickleball volley rally," said Bret Herman, COO of Pickleball America, LLC, in a news release.

"Events such as this one are so impactful for the sport of pickleball and represent the positive impact pickleball can have on communities in Connecticut and across the country," added co-owner Jay Waldner.

The even will also include open play and the Rossetti Brothers popular "Dink or Drive" up and down the ladder challenge, played like a version of pickleball chutes and ladders.