Good morning pickleballers!
It's a fine-looking Tuesday here in the middle of England.
Yours could be as fine too if you pick up a copy of the latest World Pickleball Magazine, now available from our shop.
For just £5 you can go behind the scenes at the incredible World Pickleball League which was by far the greatest pickleball show on Earth (yet).
We got exclusive interviews with so many key people - founders, owners, key personnel, players, coaches and even commentators!
Away from the WPBL we also cover the best tournaments in February, snippets of news from all around the world, pickleball pioneers, drill bits and a future star.
Get your copy by clicking below.
Joe James takes a closer look at the upcoming KL Pickleball Summit in Malaysia - read about that here.
And here's your morning report.
Pickleball England Powers Up with 54 New Leaders, Breaking Barriers with Deaf Inclusion
Pickleball England is celebrating the certification of 54 new Pickleball Leaders following three dynamic workshops, signalling a significant boost for the sport's growth and accessibility. A south-east session in Caterham stood out, welcoming eight deaf candidates and two British Sign Language interpreters, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity.
England international Mollie Knaggs, a tutor on the course, described the experience as "one of the most heartwarming" of her career, highlighting the positivity, encouragement, energy, and passion of the deaf coaches. Working alongside leading coach Rob Williams, the session demonstrated that accommodating deaf participants was seamless, emphasizing clear communication strategies beneficial for all learners, regardless of hearing ability.
Williams suggested that signing the score during matches could enhance clarity and reduce misunderstandings, advocating for basic BSL skills as a valuable asset for everyone involved in the sport. "Pickleball Leaders Certification is the most important course we deliver," Williams noted, stressing the crucial role these leaders play as the first point of contact for many entering the world of pickleball. This initiative underscores Pickleball England's dedication to ensuring a positive and inclusive introduction to the sport for all.
Paddle Police: Pro Pickleball to Test Every Paddle After "Hot" Equipment Scandal
Following a controversial incident at the Carvana PPA Mesa Cup, the UPA-A is considering implementing paddle testing for all professional matches, not just those from the round of 32. This potential rule change comes after Liz Truluck's paddle failed a UPA-A test, resulting in a $2,500 fine and forfeited match points.
During a round of 64 mixed-doubles match, Rettenmaier and Jones challenged Truluck’s JOOLA paddle, claiming it was delaminated and exceeding power standards. Although Truluck retired the paddle, the challenge led to its official testing. The UPA-A confirmed the paddle exceeded legal limits, igniting discussions about fair play.
Rettenmaier, who initiated the challenge, expressed the need for rule changes to ensure fairness, stating players who "chose to cheat in this manner should be fined and lose their points/forfeit the match". The incident exposed a loophole where paddle testing was not required until the round of 32, prompting the UPA-A to consider testing all paddles to protect the integrity of every match. This move aims to level the playing field and prevent any "obvious and unfair advantage".
Beyond the Boundary: Babar Azam Trades Cricket Bat for Pickleball Paddle
Pakistani cricket star Babar Azam has been spotted engaging in a different kind of sporting action: pickleball. Following Pakistan’s exit from the Champions Trophy, where Azam's performance fell short of expectations, the cricketer was seen playing pickleball with his brother, Safeer Azam.
Despite scoring a half-century against New Zealand, which was noted as one of his slower ODI fifties, and accumulating 23 runs against India before being dismissed, Azam also recently lost his No.1 ODI ranking to Shubman Gill. This shift to pickleball offers a lighter note amidst the pressures of international cricket.
While details of Azam's pickleball skills remain scarce, his participation highlights the sport's growing appeal across various athletic communities. The images of Azam playing "looked elegant," suggesting a natural aptitude for the game, even in this casual setting. This crossover could introduce pickleball to a new audience, especially among cricket fans, further boosting its popularity on a global scale.
Double Gold Delight: Howells and Oshiro Dominate at APP Sacramento Open
The 2025 APP Sacramento Open witnessed outstanding performances from Will Howells and Bobbi Oshiro, who each clinched two gold medals at the Johnson Ranch Pickleball Complex. The pair shone as mixed pro doubles partners, adding to their individual victories.
Howells also secured gold in men’s pro doubles alongside Jack Munro, defeating Erik Lange and Max Manthou in a thrilling final. Oshiro teamed up with Susannah Barr to win the women’s pro doubles title, overcoming Jill Braverman and Megan Fudge.
The tournament, which ran for five days, showcased a wide array of talent, including amateur players and the AARP Champions and Masters Pro Divisions. Gold medalists earned a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket, securing pre-registration rights for the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships.
Other notable results from the APP Sacramento Open include:
- Chris Haworth tying the APP Tour’s all-time record with his 10th men’s pro singles gold medal.
- Sofia Sewing winning her second straight gold medal in women’s pro singles.
The APP Tour is set to continue with the APP Cayman Islands Open, scheduled for March 20-23.
Tennis Royalty to Reign Over Dubai Pickleball: Sania Mirza Joins the $50,000 Pickleball Open 2025
Global Sports has partnered with tennis icon Sania Mirza for the Pickleball Open 2025 in Dubai, scheduled from May 8th – 11th, 2025. The tournament, in collaboration with PickleTurf Pickleball Club Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council, boasts a $50,000 prize pool, positioning it as a premier event in the region.
Mirza, a six-time Grand Slam champion, along with entrepreneur Anam Mirza, joins as a Partner, elevating the sport's appeal. Her involvement highlights pickleball's increasing credibility and potential, bringing experience, mentorship, and visibility to attract aspiring players and broaden the sport’s reach. Mirza stated she is "thrilled to be part of this movement with Global Sports," noting the sport's inclusivity, fitness benefits, and community spirit.
Global Sports, known for executing large pickleball tournaments such as the Indian Open League 2025, aims to bring the same grandeur to Dubai. Hemal Jain, Founder of Global Sports, anticipates that the Pickleball Open 2025 in Dubai will set a new benchmark for the sport in the region. The event is expected to attract top talent globally and PickleTurf Pickleball Club Dubai will host the tournament at its state-of-the-art indoor courts.
Breakers Pick Roddy: MLP Challenger Level Draft Kicks Off with Bay Area's Bold Move
The MLP Challenger Level Free Agency Draft saw the Bay Area Breakers make a splash by selecting Eric Roddy with the first pick, bidding a substantial 9K draft points. This move signals a bold strategy for the Breakers as they aim to build a competitive roster for the 2025 season.
Roddy's selection marks the beginning of a dynamic bidding process where teams vied for selection spots rather than specific players. The Breakers, with their significant investment in the first pick, have set the tone for the rest of the draft.
With Roddy secured, the Breakers continued to build their team by later adding Wyatt Stone and Lingwei Kong. Kong will join forces with Eric Roddy, Wyatt Stone, and Allyce Jones.
Other notable picks from the draft include:
- Nashville Pandas selecting Anderson Scarpa and Marshall Brown.
- Las Vegas Night Owls choosing James Delgado.
- Florida Smash picking Sarah Ansboury and Cason Campbell.
- Brooklyn Aces selecting Stefan Auvergne.
- California Black Bears choosing Stephen Madonia.
Each team aimed to complete its four-player roster through this draft, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable 2025 MLP season.
Newbridge Player Strikes Gold: Dacillo Dazzles at Munster Pickleball Tournament
John Dacillo from Newbridge Pickleball Club has returned to Kildare with a bronze medal after a successful trip to the Munster pickleball tournament. Dacillo competed in the men's doubles 3.5 section, marking a significant achievement for both him and his club.
The Munster pickleball tournament attracted participants from various clubs, but Dacillo and his partner showcased exceptional skill and teamwork to secure their place on the podium. After a long trip south, Dacillo's dedication and performance paid off, bringing pride and recognition to Newbridge Pickleball.
Newbridge Pickleball Club extended their congratulations to Dacillo, expressing their pride in his accomplishment. This win highlights the growing prominence of pickleball in Ireland, with players like Dacillo demonstrating the talent and competitive spirit within the local community.
Dacillo's success serves as an inspiration for other members of the Newbridge Pickleball Club and the broader Irish pickleball community. His bronze medal win underscores the increasing popularity and competitive nature of pickleball, both nationally and locally.