IT'S OVER! Pickleball Power Pair, The Johns Brothers, STICK with their SPLIT after epic win!

Pickleball's top men's doubles team, the Johns brothers, Ben and Collin, have ended their long-time partnership. The duo won their 35th title at the PPA Tour Masters, defeating Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin. This victory was especially poignant as it was their final tournament together, for now. The brothers announced they would split up in December and pursue new partners for the remainder of the PPA Tour season. Ben Johns will team up with 19-year-old Gabe Tardio. Despite the split, both brothers expressed positive feelings about their time together.

UNSTOPPABLE! 17-Year-Old Anna Leigh Waters makes history, claims her 31st Triple Crown!

Anna Leigh Waters has once again proven her dominance in the world of pickleball, securing her 31st Triple Crown at the Masters tournament. The 17-year-old phenom won gold in women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. In the women's singles final, Waters defeated Kaitlyn Christian in a dominant performance, winning 11-0, 11-6. Even after playing eight games of doubles earlier in the day, Waters appeared to have even more energy for the singles match. Waters stated that she finds another gear when playing singles at the end of the day, stopping thinking and just playing. In women's doubles, Waters partnered with Catherine Parenteau to overcome Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher in a close match, 11-4, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10. In mixed doubles, Waters teamed with Ben Johns to defeat Catherine Parenteau and Federico Staksrud, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-3.

Staksrud Shock! Dumps JOOLA After Gold Medal Win

Federico Staksrud has announced that he is splitting with his sponsor, JOOLA Pickleball, after winning the men's singles title at the Masters tournament. This news came as a surprise during Staksrud's post-match interview, overshadowing his victory over Jaume Martinez Vich. Staksrud expressed gratitude towards JOOLA, stating that it has been "amazing to grow with them over the past two and a half years". He also added that they will "always be kind of like part of my family," wishing them well for the future. Despite the amicable parting, this announcement marks the end of a significant partnership in the pickleball world. Staksrud is expected to sign with Adidas Pickleball for the upcoming season, although neither side has confirmed the deal publicly. The split with JOOLA follows Staksrud's gold medal win in men's singles, where he defeated Martinez Vich in straight sets, 11-7, 11-2. He also competed for gold in mixed doubles and men's doubles, but did not win either of those matches, making this the first time Staksrud was playing for gold in all three events at the same PPA tournament. Staksrud also mentioned the physical toll of competing in all three divisions, emphasizing how impressive Anna Leigh Waters' ability to do so consistently is.

St. Louis Shock launches Minor League teams and changes the game forever!

The St. Louis Shock, a top-tier Major League Pickleball (MLP) franchise, has become the first MLP team to establish a presence in The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP). This move is seen as a significant step for both the Shock and the broader pickleball community, creating a clear path for local talent to rise through the ranks. The Shock's initiative includes forming teams for the 2025 MiLP season, which will be owned and operated by Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), as well as the appointment of John Kleinschmidt as the franchise’s Director of Talent & MiLP Operations. Kleinschmidt, a Senior Pro Player with multiple gold medals, will oversee player development, community engagement, and brand visibility for the MiLP teams.

The program will include structured practices, professional coaching, and competitive tournaments for players at all DUPR levels, as well as Shock-hosted clinics, exhibitions, and outreach events. Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer of the St. Louis Shock, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it is a "monumental step" for both the franchise and the sport of pickleball. The teams will compete at DUPR levels ranging from 3.0 to 5.0+, showcasing the depth of talent within the Shock’s program. Caroline Luelf, DUPR’s Director of Minor League Pickleball, noted that this collaboration creates a clear pathway for players to improve their skills and connect with the broader pickleball community. The Shock’s MiLP program will begin with open tryouts, with details to be announced on the STL Shock website.

PICKLEBALL EXPLODES! Agassi & Bopanna launch new India league, and the world is watching!

Andre Agassi and Rohan Bopanna have launched the PWR DUPR India League and Tour in Mumbai, marking a significant step in the growth of pickleball in India. This initiative comes after the launch of the Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) in Dubai last year and signals an exciting 2025 for the sport with the introduction of the PWR DUPR India League and Tour, as well as the World Series and Tour.

The PWR is a unified global ranking system designed to provide players with a clear path to earn points, improve their rankings, and ultimately qualify for the PWR World Series. Tournaments will be categorized into various levels—PWR 2000, PWR 1000, PWR 700, PWR 400, PWR 200, and PWR 100—based on the rating points available. This structured approach aims to create a competitive environment and enable players to progress through the ranks.

The PWR DUPR India League and Tour aims to build on the growing popularity of pickleball in India, attracting both amateur and professional players. The league is designed to bring together the pickleball community for news, views, and competition.

Diamonds on the Court! Jewelry Giant PNG Joins Forces with Huge New Pickleball League!

PNG Jewellers, an Indian jewelry company with a 192-year legacy, has partnered with the World Pickleball League (WPBL) as the "Powered By Partner" in a multi-year deal. This collaboration marks a significant intersection between a long-standing brand and India's first franchise-based pickleball league. The WPBL, co-founded by Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, is set to begin on January 24th and features six teams composed of both Indian and international players. The league seeks to combine sport with entertainment, pop culture, and fashion, while also creating a space for Indian players to compete with global talent.

Dr. Saurabh Gadgil, Chairman and Managing Director of PNG Jewellers Ltd., stated that the partnership aligns perfectly with the company's marketing plans, particularly noting the league's mission to create a compelling "sportainment" property and its popularity with women. He also expressed confidence in the league’s leadership and vision. Gaurav Natekar, Co-Founder and CEO of the World Pickleball League, welcomed PNG Jewellers as a "Powered By Partner", highlighting their rich heritage and commitment to excellence, and stating that the collaboration would elevate the league's popularity. This partnership underscores the increasing interest and investment in the WPBL as it prepares for its inaugural season.

In addition, the World Pickleball League will feature Sonu Kumar, a 22-year-old player from Jharkhand, who will represent the Chennai Super Champs. His journey to pickleball started when he was playing cricket. He is now among the top five players in India. The Chennai Super Champs are owned by actor-entrepreneur Samantha Ruth Prabhu. All six teams in the WPBL will play each other once in a round-robin format, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals. The final match is scheduled for February 2nd.

India's Pickleball Scene Sees New Stars Emerge in Latest DUPR Rankings

The latest DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) rankings for India have been released, revealing the top doubles teams in the country. In men's doubles, Armaan Bhatia and Harsha Mehta continue to hold the top two spots, solidifying their dominance in the sport. Bhatia leads the rankings with a score of 6.20, followed by Mehta, with both players being the only two to have a score of over 6.0. The duo also won the men’s doubles title at the PWR DUPR India Masters last year, with Bhatia achieving a historic treble by also winning the men’s singles and mixed doubles titles.

On the women's side, Vrushali Thakare and Isha Lakhani have claimed the top spots in the women's doubles rankings. Thakare leads with a DUPR rating of 5.53, while Lakhani follows with a rating of 5.34. The rise of these new players, along with the growing popularity of DUPR in India, suggests a promising future for women's pickleball in the country. These rankings highlight the growing talent pool and competitive landscape within Indian pickleball.

• Top Ranked Men's Doubles:
  • Armaan Bhatia (6.20)
  • Harsha Mehta (above 6.0)
• Top Ranked Women's Doubles:
  • Vrushali Thakare (5.53)
  • Isha Lakhani (5.34)

The emergence of these top players comes at an exciting time for pickleball in India, with the recent launch of the PWR DUPR India League and Tour by Andre Agassi and Rohan Bopanna. This unified global ranking system aims to provide players with clear pathways to improve their rankings and qualify for the PWR World Series, further propelling the sport's growth in the country. The establishment of this league, along with the continued success of players like Bhatia, Mehta, Thakare and Lakhani, is expected to elevate pickleball's profile in India and attract even more talent to the sport.

UNBELIEVABLE JOURNEY! From cricket to pickleball pro: Sonu Kumar's story will inspire you!

Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma, a 22-year-old from Jharia, Jharkhand, is making waves in the world of pickleball with his unconventional journey. Kumar's story takes a different path than that of many athletes in India, shifting his focus from cricket to pickleball. While many young athletes in Jharkhand were inspired by cricket legend MS Dhoni, Kumar found his passion in the fast-paced game of pickleball.

His transition from cricket to pickleball began six years ago, when he discovered the sport's engaging nature. This decision led him to Mumbai where he honed his skills and dedicated himself to the sport. His breakthrough came in November 2024 when he secured the Men’s 19+ gold medal at the World Pickleball Championship in Mumbai, defeating Spain’s Mauro Garcia. This achievement has placed him among the top five players in India, with impressive DUPR scores of 5.32 in singles and 4.871 in doubles.

Now, Kumar is set to represent the Chennai Super Champs in the inaugural World Pickleball League (WPBL), beginning January 24. This move brings his story full circle as he finds his "sporting home" in Chennai, similar to the connection MS Dhoni has with the city, but in a different sport. The Chennai Super Champs, owned by actor-entrepreneur Samantha Ruth Prabhu, will provide him a platform to showcase his skills and elevate the profile of pickleball in India.

Kumar's story is a testament to the growing appeal of pickleball, a sport that blends elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, and is attracting a new generation of athletes. His unique journey from cricket to pickleball, and his subsequent success, underscores the rapidly evolving landscape of Indian sports, as well as the growing interest and investment in the WPBL. The WPBL will feature six teams that will face each other in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals. The final match is scheduled for February 2nd and will be held in Mumbai.

Tennis Star Turned Pickleball Sensation! Kerr Amazed by Sewing's Court Skills, Predicts Mass Exodus From Tennis!

Kaitlyn Kerr, known as the "pickleball chick," has lauded Sofia Sewing as a standout player at the PWR DUPR India Masters, suggesting that Sewing's skills and dedication could lead to a wave of tennis players switching to pickleball. Kerr highlighted Sewing's background as a high-level tennis player, noting that her existing skillset translates exceptionally well to pickleball.

According to Kerr, Sewing's transition from a tennis career at the University of Miami to professional pickleball reveals her true dedication and character, making her a rising star in the sport. Kerr believes that Sewing already has "all of these tools in her bag" that, with more drilling, will allow her to "really shine," adding that she is already "incredible at singles" and has the potential to be "great" at doubles as well. Sewing has indeed made history at the PWR DUPR India Masters, where she won the women’s singles title, defeating top seed Kao Pei Chuan in the final.

Kerr also expressed amazement at the number of players, particularly on the women's side, who are transitioning from tennis to pickleball. She finds it shocking that more tennis players ranked in the top 100 or 200, who she says are “not making anything,” have not made the switch to pickleball, where there are opportunities for sponsorships and success. She points out that players on the tennis tour already have the dedication to train hard, so they already have what it takes to succeed in pickleball. Kerr's comments suggest that pickleball could see a significant influx of talent from the tennis world in the near future.

Pickleball Tournament Scene Heats Up Across Europe and Japan

The pickleball scene is buzzing with activity, as several international tournaments have been announced, demonstrating the sport's growing global appeal.

• Czech Republic: The Czech Pickleball Association has announced the WPC Prague Czech Open. Save the date of 11-13 April and registration details will soon be available on Pickleball Global.
• United Kingdom: Two new Franklin Pickleball Tournaments have been announced for members of pickleB. The first will be held in Dorset (8-9 Feb) and the second in Gloucester, (24-15 May) with the latter already more than half full.
• Hungary: The IV. Hungarian Open is scheduled for August 15-17, 2025. The event is described as an international pickleball celebration, with previous years seeing record participation from players from almost every continent. The number of participants has reportedly doubled each year.
• Japan: The Japanese Pickleball Association is hosting the Sketchers PWR Masters 700 Tournament on February 27th. Sarah Ansboury will be in Tokyo for a PPR level 1 workshop on March 31st.

These announcements highlight the increasing international interest in pickleball, with tournaments attracting players from various parts of the world, indicating the sport's rapid expansion and the growing opportunities for competition.

Pickleball Pro Stuns Crowd with Mid-Match Paddle Swap

In an unusual move, Quang Duong, a signed Selkirk player, switched to a Proton paddle mid-match, sparking debate. Commentators expressed surprise, noting they’d “never seen this” before. Duong’s move followed a missed dink shot, and some speculated he aimed to change his backhand pattern. The incident has generated online discussion, with some joking about "blaming the paddle". The switch has raised questions about sponsorship agreements, and one viewer asked if Selkirk is "overrated". Reports of Selkirk suing Duong for using a different paddle are unconfirmed.

And finally: Ben Johns Unleashes Powerful Shot, Stuns Onlookers

A recent pickleball match has captured attention after Ben Johns delivered an exceptionally hard shot at Quang Duong, leaving spectators and commentators in awe. The video footage shows the moment when Johns hit the ball with such force that the commentator exclaimed, "Oh my goodness gracious. Wow. Ben John's just full Senate at QD. I have not seen him hit a ball that hard in my life". This reaction underscores the unusual power and intensity of the shot.

While the video captures the sheer force of the hit, it doesn’t provide any information regarding the specific circumstances that led to it. So, why did Johns hit the ball with such power....?