Good morning, pickleballers!
Monday morning once again and boy, do we have a roundup of pickleball news for you today.
Before you dive in, two things to check – one, have you got your February magazine yet? If not, there’s a link at the end of today’s news. And two, check out our latest World Pickleball Podcast with the 14 y/o phenom, Camden Chaffin. You can find it on all the major podcast apps as well as listening in directly below.
Here’s today’s global pickleball news.
Dilli Dillwale Snatches Title in World Pickleball League Thriller
Mumbai, India – In a grand finale that went down to the wire, Dilli Dillwale overcame a spirited challenge from the Chennai Super Champs to be crowned champions of the World Pickleball League 2026. The atmosphere at the Jio World Garden was electric as the two teams battled to a 3-2 finish, with the result remaining uncertain until the final matches of the night.
Chennai struck first and struck hard. Rika Fujiwara delivered a masterclass in the opening women’s singles match, decimating her opponent 27-3 to give the Super Champs an early lead. However, Dilli Dillwale responded in the mixed doubles, where Max Manthou and Trang Huynh edged out a nail-biting 11-10 victory. Chennai briefly regained the upper hand when Ly Hoang Nam—who was later awarded the Band of Honour for scoring the most points in the league—won the men’s singles 15-13, putting Chennai up 2-1 overall.
With their backs against the wall, Dilli Dillwale mounted a stunning comeback. The women’s doubles pair of Huynh and Mihae Kwon sneaked past their opponents with a razor-thin 11-10 win to level the tie. It all came down to the final men’s doubles match. Player of the League Max Manthou teamed up with Erik Lange to deliver a decisive 14-6 victory, sealing the championship for Dilli and ending Chennai’s valiant season-long run.
The event underscored the growing cultural phenomenon of pickleball in India, further highlighted by the presence of celebrities such as actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu and filmmaker Raj Nidimoru, who were spotted attending the festivities, adding a touch of Bollywood glamour to the high-octane sports action.
Heat, Humidity, and High Stakes: APP Tour Kicks Off Southeast Asian Swing
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The 2026 Leapmotor APP Kuala Lumpur Open is set to ignite the competitive calendar in Southeast Asia this week, marking a significant expansion for the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and the newly formed Global Pickleball Alliance (GPA). Running from February 9 through February 14 at the PLAYA Racquet Club @ PARC Subang, this Tier 1 tournament boasts a lucrative $50,000 prize pool and has drawn over 1,700 participants, making it one of the largest pickleball events in Malaysian history.
While top American pros like Sofia Sewing, Ryler DeHeart, and Megan Fudge have crossed the Pacific to compete, they face a formidable opponent beyond the net: the elements. With temperatures hovering in the mid-90s and humidity levels predicted between 50% and 60%, conditions will be gruelling. Analysts predict the heavy, humid air will slow the ball down significantly, forcing players to prioritise endurance and hydration over pure power.
The competition promises new dynamics for the 2026 season. In mixed doubles, the defending #1 seeds are notably split, with Megan Fudge teaming up with Richard Livornese Jr., while Jack Munro partners with Roos Van Reek. The women’s singles field is wide open, with top seed Sofia Sewing favoured to clash with heavy hitters like Roos Van Reek, though the slower conditions may blunt Van Reek’s aggressive groundstrokes.
Streaming coverage begins with the Round of 16, showcasing the sport’s global reach through broadcasts on APPTV, SelkirkTV, and Leapmotor Malaysia’s channels. As the first leg of the GPA’s 35-event global calendar, Kuala Lumpur is not just a tournament; it is a testing ground for the sport’s international future.
Tennis Legends Dominate Debut Leg of Philippine Pickleball League
Manila, Philippines – The crossover between tennis royalty and pickleball dominance was on full display during the first leg of the Philippine Pickleball League (PPL), where seasoned court veterans captured the top honours. Leading the charge were former tennis standouts Anna Clarice Patrimonio and Johnny Arcilla, who utilised their decades of racquet experience to secure multiple podium finishes in a dazzling display of technical skill.
In the Women’s Singles division, Patrimonio was an unstoppable force. Dictating play with precision and power, she commanded the bracket to take the championship gold. She didn’t stop there; teaming up with Christy Sanosa in the Women’s Doubles Open, Patrimonio combined defensive grit with precise attacks to claim a second gold medal. Her performance solidified her status as a dual-threat in the region’s burgeoning pickleball scene.
On the men’s side, Joma Pague overwhelmed the singles field with superior speed and shot selection to take gold, while the Men’s Doubles Open saw the duo of Leander Lazaro and Ruben Gonzales Jr. rise to the top. Their chemistry and tactical discipline allowed them to control rallies against a high-energy field. Tennis legend Johnny Arcilla added to his trophy cabinet by winning the Mixed Doubles gold alongside Shy Mae Gitalan, showcasing a seamless coordination that left opponents scrambling.
The event also highlighted the depth of talent in the 50+ Advanced categories. Aldrin Geluz took the Men’s Singles gold through steady, aggressive play, while the pair of Lucob Chan and Mario Uson used veteran precision to win the Doubles title. As the PPL season continues, the bar has been set high by these crossover athletes who are rapidly defining the highest level of play in the Philippines.
Cheers to a Decade: Cervezas Victoria Inks Historic 10-Year Deal with Spanish Pickleball
Malaga, Spain – In a move that signals massive long-term confidence in the sport, the Spanish Pickle Pro Tour has announced a landmark sponsorship renewal with Cervezas Victoria. The Malaga-based brewery has signed a 10-year agreement to remain the official sponsor and naming partner of the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation’s (RFET) national pickleball circuit. This decade-long commitment is poised to provide unprecedented stability for professional pickleball in Europe.
The announcement comes on the heels of a breakout year for Spanish pickleball, highlighted by the national team’s victory at the 2025 European Championships. The extended partnership aims to capitalise on this momentum, fostering an ecosystem that nurtures both amateur enthusiasts and elite European talent. For the 2026 season, the circuit will feature six scoring events culminating in a prestigious ‘Master Finals,’ designed to showcase the continent’s best players.
Organisers B3 Sportainment and the RFET view this agreement as a cornerstone for expansion. By securing long-term backing from major partners—including El Corte Inglés, Joma, and Volvo—the tour can focus on professionalising the sport. The 2025 season already saw stars like Sabrina Méndez and Ignasi de Rueda rise to the top of the rankings, and this new influx of support ensures the stage is set for the next generation of Spanish talent to dominate the global conversation.
The Courts Beckon: PPA Cape Coral Open Brings Pro Tour Back Outdoors
Cape Coral, USA – After a stint of indoor championships, the PPA Tour returns to the open air this week at “The Courts” (formerly the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center) for the PPA Cape Coral Open. Running from February 9 through February 15, this 1,000-point event features a progressive draw that will test players’ adaptability as they transition from climate-controlled arenas to the breezes of Florida.
The biggest headline entering the week is the absence of world number one Anna Leigh Waters from the singles bracket. Her decision to skip the event has blown the women’s field wide open, leaving top seed Kate Fahey—who hasn’t won a title since September 2025—with a prime opportunity to break her drought. However, Waters returns in mixed doubles alongside Ben Johns; the duo is currently riding a historic streak, having not lost a match in over 300 days.
Intrigue also surrounds several new and unusual partnerships. In a move that has baffled some analysts, Hurricane Tyra Black is teaming up with Mo Alhouni in mixed doubles, while the typically inseparable Truong siblings will face off against one another in the singles bracket. On the men’s side, Hunter Johnson is looking to capitalise on his recent momentum after a victory in Minnesota, while heavy hitters like Federico Staksrud and Christian Alshon loom large in the semifinals predictions.
With weather forecasts suggesting potential rain for Championship Sunday, the schedule may face disruptions. Nevertheless, fans can catch the action on the PPA’s YouTube channels early in the week, with major broadcast coverage shifting to PickleballTV starting with the Round of 16 on Thursday.
Singapore Slam: PPA Tour Asia Launches ‘125 Series’ to Elevate Regional Talent
Singapore – The PPA Tour is deepening its footprint in the East with the launch of the PPA Tour Asia 125 Series, set to debut at PickleSlam 2026 this April. This new tournament tier is designed as a strategic entry point into the professional ecosystem, offering ranking points and financial incentives specifically tailored to emerging Asian athletes. The inaugural event will take place from April 11–19, hosted by PickleGO.
The “125 Series” is distinct in its mission to level the playing field. To ensure meaningful opportunities for rising stars, the PPA has instituted a strict eligibility rule: players currently ranked in the Top 20 of the global PPA Tour are barred from competing in their respective categories. This exclusion is intended to prevent established global superstars from monopolising the podium, thereby giving aspiring Asian professionals a genuine shot at visibility and success.
Competitors in the Pro divisions will fight for up to 125 PPA points and a share of a minimum US$10,000 prize pool per event. Furthermore, tournament winners will receive free entry into subsequent PPA Asia 500 events, creating a clear pathway for advancement up the competitive ladder. The events will utilise a high-intensity, single-day format to maximise exposure and maintain a fast pace of play. By integrating official ranking points into the world’s most populous continent, the PPA aims to accelerate the sport’s already rapid growth in the region.
If you enjoyed this article, check out the February World Pickleball Magazine here.