What’s the Score?
The New Country Club Frascati has asserted itself as the dominant force in Italian pickleball, sweeping both the Open and Over-50 categories at the National Team Pickleball Championships. Held at the “Palasun” in Martina Franca, Puglia, the event brought together clubs from across the nation, but it was the squad from the Lazio region that took home all the gold.
Hit it deeper!
In the Open category, Frascati was untouchable. Led by star players Matteo Cugliari and Francesca Rumi, the team went undefeated in the group stage with four consecutive wins before dispatching SSD Equinox in the final. The roster depth was evident, with contributions from Erik Molinari, Alessandro Vitali, and others ensuring the victory.
They repeated the feat in the Over-50 division, defeating the Bologna Pickleball Team to claim the double. The tournament underscored the massive growth of the sport in Italy, which now boasts nearly 400 courts—up from just 120 in 2023. This rapid infrastructure growth is credited to the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP), which has officially embraced pickleball.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The success of the Frascati club and the event in Puglia highlights the “Italian Model” of growth: federation support. Unlike in many countries where pickleball grows despite tennis federations, in Italy, the FITP is actively driving it. The result is a skyrocketing court count (far outpacing Spain’s 50 courts) and a rapidly rising technical standard. Frascati’s dominance shows that clubs investing early in coaching and organised team structures are reaping the rewards as the national scene becomes more competitive.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.