Good morning pickleballers!
Wow, Friday already. What? This week has gone quicker than a McGuffin serve.
As ever, we're here with all your latest pickleball news courtesy of the World Pickleball Report.
Teenage Dream! 16-Year-Old Goins Stuns Pickleball King Ben Johns
Cape Coral, FL – In a stunning upset at the Veolia Cape Coral Open presented by Proton, sixteen-year-old qualifier John Lucian Goins delivered the biggest win of his budding career by defeating top seed Ben Johns. The thrilling three-game battle concluded with an 8-11, 11-1, 11-7 victory for the young phenom.
Despite dropping a tightly contested first game, Goins caught fire in the second, ripping winners from the baseline. His precision and impressive net play helped him comfortably take the second game and jump to a significant lead in the decider. While Johns mounted a comeback, Goins held his nerve and secured the marquee victory, forcing an error from the top-ranked player.
Goins, who had previously faced Johns in Virginia Beach, admitted that past experience gave him confidence. This victory marks a significant milestone for the young player, who advanced to face No. 6 seed Jaume Martinez Vich with the aim of reaching his first career PPA Tour final. This unexpected triumph has undoubtedly added Goins to the list of must-watch teenagers in professional pickleball.
Goins' Giant-Killing Run Ends at the Hands of Martinez Vich
Cape Coral, FL – The impressive run of 16-year-old John Lucian Goins came to an end in the semifinals of the Veolia Cape Coral Open, as Jaume Martinez Vich secured his spot in the men's singles final with a hard-fought two-game victory. Following his stunning upset of top seed Ben Johns, Goins faced a determined Martinez Vich on Humana Championship Court.
Martinez Vich started strong, taking the first game 11-3 by expertly handling the windy conditions with spin and angles. Goins, the young qualifier, responded resiliently in the second game, utilizing deep approach shots to get to the net and put pressure on Martinez Vich. He even reached game point at 10-4.
However, the third game never materialized. Martinez Vich demonstrated his tenacity by saving five game points and battling back to claim the second game 12-10, thus ending Goins' giant-killing streak. Martinez Vich attributed his comeback in the second game to a change in strategy, opting to drop the ball more instead of trying to pass Goins. This victory marks Martinez Vich's second men's singles final appearance in 2025, where he will face either Christian Alshon or Max Freeman. While Goins' journey was cut short, his earlier triumph over Johns will be remembered as a significant achievement.
Squash Legend Liz Irving Finds New Love on the Pickleball Court After Injury
Pickleball 52 – Former world number two squash star Liz Irving has found a new passion on the court: pickleball. After a career marked by significant achievements in squash, Irving's body was “shot” from years of playing and coaching, preventing her from running on the squash court anymore. She even stopped playing racquet sports entirely due to the pain.
However, after about six months to a year without hitting a ball, Irving realized how much she missed it. That’s when she “fell into pickleball”. For Irving, pickleball has been life-changing. It provides her with the “hitting fix” she longed for and is a source of fun and social interaction.
Irving emphasizes that pickleball is a fantastic entry-level racquet sport accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. This newfound love for the game has also inspired her latest venture, Pivot Sports, a booking platform aimed at making racquet sports more accessible. Coming from squash, she recognized the need for a user-friendly system for players and venues alike. Her journey into pickleball highlights its accessibility and appeal to athletes from other racquet sports facing physical limitations.
Top of the UK Pickleball Pile: David Lloyd Emersons Green Crowned Champions Again
Pickleball 52 – For yet another time, David Lloyd Club at Emersons Green has earned the prestigious title of the best club in the UK for pickleball, topping the rankings among 134 clubs nationwide. Coach Jeff Burley attributes this success to the strong social and community aspect of pickleball, which resonates with members looking to stay active.
The club established its pickleball program in 2021 and has since cultivated a thriving environment. Their comprehensive program now features nine coached sessions weekly, catering to all skill levels from taster sessions to advanced play. Interclub tournaments are also a regular feature, fostering healthy competition and camaraderie among members.
The strong community spirit at David Lloyd Emersons Green extends beyond the court, with pickleball playing a central role in many of their charity events, including support for the Children’s Hospice Charity Southwest. General Manager Rhys Brown highlighted the amazing engagement and the club’s ability to attract a diverse range of members through pickleball, emphasizing that it truly is a sport for all. With ongoing initiatives and growth on the horizon, David Lloyd Emersons Green continues to set the standard for pickleball clubs in the UK.
Freeman Fails to Halt Alshon's Cruise into Men's Singles Final
Cape Coral, FL – Christian Alshon continued his stellar start to the 2025 season with a decisive victory over No. 38 seed Max Freeman, securing his place in the men's singles final at the Veolia Cape Coral Open presented by Proton. Alshon dominated the match with an 11-3, 11-1 triumph.
While Freeman had earlier picked up impressive wins against higher-seeded players, including No. 2 seed Connor Garnett and No. 9 seed Jack Sock, Alshon proved to be too strong in the final men's singles bout of the day. Despite incredibly windy conditions, Alshon played exceptionally well. He explained his strategy of keeping the ball low and utilizing his legs to maintain good positioning in the face of the gusts.
Alshon also emphasized the importance of a strong serve and return in singles, noting that his focus on training his return has been key to his success. By going after his serve, he earned several return errors. This victory marks Alshon's opportunity to earn his first career PPA singles title. He will face Jaume Martinez Vich in the championship final, who ended the impressive run of 16-year-old John Lucian Goins in the semifinals.
Jansen Breaks Final Drought: Set to Compete for First Singles Title Since June 2024
Cape Coral, FL – Lea Jansen has reached her first women’s singles final since June 2024 after a decisive victory over No. 8 seed Chao Yi (Zoey) Wang at the Veolia Cape Coral Open presented by Proton. Jansen eased past Wang with an 11-2, 11-2 triumph, showcasing her best performance of the day.
Jansen credited her improved form to addressing recent health complications stemming from mismanaged Type 1 diabetes and a related neurological issue. Receiving a diagnosis before the Mesa event, she feels like she is no longer “freezing out there”. In addition to overcoming health hurdles, Jansen highlighted the positive impact of working with a new singles coach who has significantly helped her forehand.
Looking ahead to the championship match, Jansen will face a familiar opponent in Anna Leigh Waters. While acknowledging the challenge, Jansen noted that Brooke Buckner's performance against Waters in the Mesa final provides encouragement. Jansen stated she is simply “happy to be back in a final” and believes Waters carries the pressure. This final appearance marks a significant step in Jansen’s comeback after a period dealing with health issues.
Waters Remains Untouchable: Cruises to Another Women's Singles Final
Cape Coral, FL – Anna Leigh Waters continues her dominant run in 2025, securing her spot in the women's singles gold medal match at the Veolia Cape Coral Open presented by Proton with an 11-7, 11-8 victory over No. 4 seed Kate Fahey. The top seed maintained her undefeated singles record this year with the win.
Despite Fahey putting up a strong fight, especially after battling through three previous three-game matches, Waters proved too strong in the crucial moments of both games. Waters acknowledged that Fahey made things tight after she initially built leads, but she feels she performs best under pressure.
Waters will now face Lea Jansen in the Championship Sunday final. Jansen recently broke her own finals drought, reaching her first singles final since June 2024. Waters' consistent success underscores her status as a formidable force in professional pickleball, and her aggressive playing style continues to be a major factor in her victories.
Alshon vs. Martinez Vich and Waters vs. Jansen: Final Showdowns Set for Cape Coral Crowns
Cape Coral, FL – The stage is set for thrilling championship clashes at the Veolia Cape Coral Open presented by Proton, with the men's and women's singles finals promising intense competition. The men's final will feature a compelling face-off between Christian Alshon and Jaume Martinez Vich. Alshon cruised into the final with a dominant two-game victory over Max Freeman, highlighting the crucial role of a strong serve and return in his singles success. Meanwhile, Martinez Vich overcame the impressive run of 16-year-old John Lucian Goins in a tight two-game match, showcasing his adaptability by adjusting his strategy in the second game. This marks Martinez Vich's second singles final appearance of the year.
In the women's singles final, world number one Anna Leigh Waters will look to continue her undefeated streak in 2025 as she faces Lea Jansen. Waters secured her spot by defeating Kate Fahey in two games, though she noted that Fahey applied pressure in both sets. Jansen reached her first singles final since June 2024 after a decisive victory over Chao Yi (Zoey) Wang, attributing her improved performance to overcoming health complications and the guidance of a new coach. Pickleball fans can anticipate captivating battles as Alshon and Martinez Vich vie for the men's title, and Waters and Jansen compete for the women's crown in Cape Coral.
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Near Perfect Score! 99.6% of Paddles Pass Rigorous Testing at PPA Mesa
Mesa, AZ – The United Pickleball Association (UPA) has released the results of onsite paddle testing conducted at the recent Carvana PPA Mesa Cup, revealing that an overwhelming majority of paddles met the required standards. Out of 701 paddles tested, only four failed to pass the rigorous evaluation performed by the third-party organization, Pro Pickle Labs.
This near-perfect pass rate of 99.6% stands in contrast to recent headlines surrounding paddle challenges at the same event, including one involving Liz Truluck. While that particular challenge garnered significant attention, the comprehensive testing indicates that the vast majority of equipment used in professional pickleball adheres to the regulations.
The testing involved 52 models from 23 distinct manufacturers. However, the specific models that failed and the identities of the players using them have not been disclosed. These results underscore the UPA's efforts to ensure fair play and equipment compliance within professional pickleball, demonstrating that instances of non-compliant paddles appear to be rare.
Second Delay Strikes: Future of PWR India Pickleball League in Doubt
Mumbai, India – The ambitious Pickleball World Rankings India League (PWR) has been hit with its second postponement, casting a shadow over the league's future. Initially slated to launch in January 2025, the team-based competition now has an unknown future start date after a subsequent pushback from mid-March.
League officials have cited the need for more organizational time as a primary factor behind the latest delay. Additionally, team owners reportedly desired more time to better understand the sport and players, and to develop marketing and public relations strategies for their respective teams. A significant consideration for the second delay was the decision to avoid a clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL), India's premier cricket event, which is set to commence on March 22nd.
Despite online rumours suggesting a cancellation, PWR officials maintain that the league is merely on hold. The PWR India League had garnered attention by promising a substantial prize pool of $540,000 and was set to be headlined by tennis legend Andre Agassi at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai. The repeated delays, however, have introduced considerable uncertainty surrounding the debut of this highly anticipated league.
Get Fit for the Court: Men's Health Unveils Ultimate Pickleball Workout Plan
Pickleball enthusiasts looking to elevate their game and stay injury-free can now turn to a new resource. Men's Health has recently published an "Ultimate Pickleball Workout Plan" designed to prepare players for the unique demands of the sport. Written by Andrew Gutman with input from fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., the program emphasizes building rotational power, improving agility, and increasing speed, all while fortifying the body against injuries.
The article highlights that while pickleball might seem less intense than other racquet sports, it still requires significant athleticism. Strength training is crucial for increasing bone density, reducing injury risk, and improving muscle force production, ultimately keeping players on the court longer. The program is built around four key training principles: rotation, lateral movement, explosivity, and unilateral training, mirroring the movements involved in a match.
The comprehensive four-week program involves three weekly workouts, each lasting about 40 minutes, with options for running, playing pickleball, or resting on other days. The training swaps traditional weightlifting for explosive, plyometric, and agility-focused exercises that build stamina, coordination, and rotational power necessary for actions like serving and hitting a backhand. The plan requires minimal equipment, primarily dumbbells, a kettlebell, resistance bands, and an optional adjustable weight bench, making it accessible for many players. Access to the complete workout plan requires a subscription to Men's Health.
Glow-in-the-Dark Pickleball Rave? Wynwood Marketplace Lights Up with Unique Experience
Wynwood Marketplace is hosting a novel twist on America's fastest-growing sport with Rave & Pickle, a glow-in-the-dark pickleball experience that has quickly become a sensation. Held at Sip & Pickle Wynwood Marketplace, the event transforms traditional pickleball into a vibrant nightlife spectacle.
Guests at Rave & Pickle play on three blacklight-lit courts featuring neon-painted lines, creating a futuristic, Tron-like ambience. The energy is kept high with a live DJ, while players enhance the visual experience by sporting LED bracelets, UV-reactive outfits, and glow gear, rallying with glow-in-the-dark pickleballs.
According to Michael Davidson, vice president of Swarm, the event agency behind Rave & Pickle, the aim was to provide local players with extended hours and an exciting new take on the game. Since its launch on February 28th, every session of Rave & Pickle has been completely sold out, indicating its immense popularity.
Unlike typical pickleball events, Rave & Pickle offers an immersive, high-energy social experience, fusing the sport with a nightclub atmosphere. Players are encouraged to bring their own gear, although a glow-in-the-dark ball is provided. This unique event runs every Friday and Saturday through March 29th.