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Here’s the very latest pickleball news from around the world.
WPBL Season 2: Chennai and Bengaluru Deliver Crushing Opening Wins as Mumbai Awaits Redemption
Mumbai, India – The World Pickleball League (WPBL) Season 2 has exploded into action at the Jio World Gardens, defined by lopsided victories and high-octane performances on the opening nights.
The reigning champions Bengaluru Jawans executed a clean sweep of Pune United, displaying relentless consistency across the card. Katerina Stewart was the architect of the demolition, obliterating Katie Morris 30-03 in women’s singles with “relentless pace and control”. Stewart continued her dominance in women’s doubles alongside Brooke Revuelta, while Dusty Boyer secured the men’s singles for Bengaluru with a composed 19-14 comeback victory over Balint Bako. The team’s depth shone through as Eunggwon Kim triumphed in both men’s and mixed doubles, sealing a commanding night for the Jawans.
The Chennai Super Champs mirrored this dominance in their season opener, thrashing Dilli Dillwale with a decisive 12-3 aggregate score. Owned by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the squad saw Domenika Turkovic destroy Alejandra Lopez 26-3 in women’s singles. Although Dilli salvaged a lone win in men’s singles via Vien Hien Troung, Chennai controlled the remaining ties, including a gritty mixed doubles win by Ly Hoang Nam and Ava Cavataio.
With Dilli Dillwale reeling from the loss, they face another test on January 28 against Mumbai Pickle Power. The Mumbai franchise is fueled by a narrative of “unfinished business,” having retained the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Brandon and Glauka Lane. After a lung infection derailed Brandon’s playoff run last season, the pair has returned healthy and motivated. Brandon, a Florida native known for his “controlled aggression,” and Glauka, a Spanish defensive specialist, bring a unique “lived chemistry” that they believe will drive Mumbai toward the title.
Andalusian Revolution: Young Entrepreneurs transform Cadiz into Pickleball Hotspot
Cadiz, Spain – In the historic coastal city of Cadiz, a quiet sporting revolution is underway, led by two friends under the age of 30. Alfredo Revuelta and José Antonio Mendoza have breathed new life into the local racket sports scene by acquiring the Pickleball Cadiz centre, betting on the sport to mirror the explosive growth of padel across Spain.
The transition from players to owners began last summer. Revuelta, whose aunt previously managed the centre, introduced Mendoza to the game just a year after the facility opened. Following a year and a half of competing together as partners, the duo seized the opportunity to take over management when the position became vacant. “We discussed it and quickly reached an agreement,” Mendoza noted, marking the start of their entrepreneurial journey.
Their efforts have already transformed the center into a bustling hub for dozens of daily players. Beyond recreational play, the owners are serious competitors themselves, having advanced from the 3.5 national category to the elite 5.0 level. Revuelta highlighted that pickleball in Spain is now governed by the Spanish Tennis Federation, lending institutional weight to their efforts.
Looking ahead, the pair is committed to establishing Cadiz as a premier destination on the European circuit. They have already hosted the first event of the Andalusian Circuit and confirmed the return of the “Elena Arbolí Memorial” tournament. Revuelta believes the sport, which has a 60-year history in the US, is finally having its moment in Europe. “It’s quite popular there now and is finally arriving here,” he observed, confident that their bold leap into ownership will pay dividends for the sport’s future in Andalusia.
Back to Basics: Pro John Cincola Unveils Golden Rules for Court Mastery
Dallas, USA – In a sport increasingly obsessed with complex drills and strategies, professional player and coach John Cincola is advocating for a “hard reset.” The pro recently outlined five fundamental rules designed to help players of all levels clear the mental slate and elevate their game by focusing on simplicity and execution.
Cincola notes that players often get “lost in all of that info” and forget the bigger picture. His first rule is a shift in mindset: “Win at the kitchen, not the baseline”. He urges players to view every shot from the back of the court not as a winner, but as a tool to get one step closer to the non-volley line.
For players finding themselves in difficult positions, Cincola’s second rule is to “always reset out of trouble.” He advises against high-risk speed-ups when under pressure, recommending soft hands to neutralise the point. This pairs with his third rule, “Fast feet, slow hands,” which cautions against letting the paddle speed match the body’s frantic movement during a scramble.
Cincola also emphasises the psychological aspect of the game. His fourth rule, “Pressure wins points,” encourages players to identify what makes their specific opponent uncomfortable—whether it’s dinking or driving—and exploit it relentlessly. Finally, he challenges conventional wisdom with his fifth rule: “Protect the middle.” By closing the center gap, players force opponents to aim for the riskier sidelines. “You don’t want to give up the easiest spot on the court to protect the most difficult spot,” Cincola explained. These golden rules offer a roadmap for players to stop overthinking and start winning.
Innovation Unleashed: Paddletek and Pickleball Central Drop Exclusive ‘Reserve’ Paddle
Kent, USA – Pickleball equipment giant Pickleball Central and manufacturer Paddletek have teamed up to launch a highly anticipated, limited-edition paddle: the Reserve HoneyFoam™ No.001. This release marks the debut of “Paddletek Reserve,” a new small-batch innovation line designed to place experimental technology into the hands of competitive players before it hits the mass market.
The launch celebrates a 20-year milestone for Pickleball Central, the industry leader that began as a garage hobby in 2006. As the exclusive distributor for this release, the company continues its tradition of connecting players with the sport’s heritage and future.
The HoneyFoam™ No.001 is engineered with a proprietary “3-Foam Architecture.” This includes a low-density EPP core, a high-performance EVA foam wrap for energy return, and a perimeter foam ring to expand the sweet spot. The surface features PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber, designed to generate elite-level spin for heavy topspin drives and dipping passing shots.
Paddletek emphasizes the exclusivity of this drop: “When they’re gone, they’re gone”. While successful technology may reappear in future products, this specific iteration will not be restocked, making it a collector’s item for gear enthusiasts. Priced at $249.99 and available in 14mm and 16mm thicknesses, the paddle promises a blend of modern power and a “smooth, forgiving feel”. This collaboration highlights the rapid evolution of pickleball technology, with Paddletek once again pushing the boundaries of design.
Global Rankings Revealed: DUPR Identifies Top Singles Players by Continent
Austin, USA – The quest to identify the best pound-for-pound pickleball players in the world has a new benchmark. DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) has released a comprehensive list of the top-rated singles players across six continents, offering a data-driven look at the sport’s global hierarchy as of January 2026.
Interestingly, the data reveals that despite the sport’s professional explosion, the coveted 7.0 rating remains elusive. No player, male or female, has yet breached that mark. The closest to achieve this feat is North America’s top male player, Hunter Johnson (USA), who holds a commanding 6.927 rating. On the women’s side, American phenom Anna Leigh Waters dominates North America with a 6.478 rating, outpacing her peers by a wide margin.
The rankings highlight the sport’s international reach. In Asia, Vietnam’s Quang Duong leads the men with a stellar 6.758, while Chao Yi Wang of Chinese Taipei tops the women’s list. Europe’s singles scene is led by Spain, with Jaume Martinez Vich (6.733) and Judit Castillo (5.717) taking the top spots.
Other continental leaders include Argentina’s Federico Staksrud (6.755) for South America and Australia’s Vuk Velickovic (6.132) for Oceania. The list also shines a light on emerging regions, recognising top talent in Africa, such as Libya’s Mota Alhouni, and Central America. This global snapshot confirms that while the US remains a powerhouse, elite talent is rising rapidly in every corner of the globe.
Youth and Perseverance Reign Supreme at Tucson PPA Challenger
Tucson, USA – The next generation of pickleball talent took centre stage at the Kino Sports Complex during the Tucson PPA Challenger, with breakthrough performances defining the weekend. Keilly Ulery and 15-year-old sensation Tama Shimabukuro emerged as the stories of the tournament, collecting hardware and career milestones.
For Keilly Ulery, the event marked a personal triumph. After medaling at four previous Challenger events but never clinching the top spot, she finally broke through to win her first career PPA Challenger title in women’s singles,. Ulery dominated the final against Janet Liu, winning decisively 11-0, 11-5. “It feels like a long time coming… the gold has been elusive for me, so it feels super gratifying to finally get it,” Ulery remarked after her victory,.
Meanwhile, teenage prodigy Tama Shimabukuro displayed incredible versatility, medaling in all three events he entered. He captured gold in men’s doubles alongside Riley Inn, took silver in men’s singles, and added a bronze in mixed doubles with Samantha Parker.
Other notable winners included Matthew Finnerty in men’s singles and the pair of Jalina Ingram and Rafael Lenhard in mixed doubles. In women’s doubles, Allison Phillips and Samantha Parker secured gold. The event showcased the depth of the PPA tour, as rising stars utilised the Challenger stage to make their mark before the upcoming stop in Houston.
Home Court Glory: French Stars Shine at Winter Pickleball Open
Marcq-en-Barœul, France – The rising tide of European pickleball was on full display at the Winter Pickleball Open, where French athletes successfully defended their home turf against top continental competition. Held from January 23 to 25, the second edition of the tournament attracted a large field of players to the 21 courts in Marcq-en-Barœul.
Théo Platel emerged as the tournament’s undisputed star. The French standout seized two titles, thrilling the home crowd with a victory in men’s doubles alongside Julien Platel, and capturing the mixed doubles crown with Spanish partner Clara Contis. Platel nearly completed a hat-trick, battling his way to the men’s singles final in the elite 5.0 category, where he was narrowly edged out by Great Britain’s James Chaudry.
The women’s 5.0 singles bracket also saw French representation in the final, with Myriam Enmer finishing as runner-up to Hong Kong’s Abby Fung. In the women’s doubles, Anais Geslin kept the French winning streak alive, teaming up with Finland’s Meity Huomo to take the title.
The event underscored the sport’s growing popularity in France, serving as a key stop on the European calendar. With “fierce competition” across all categories, including the +19 doubles showdowns, the Winter Pickleball Open confirmed that France is becoming a formidable power in the European pickleball landscape,.
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.