MLP Aces Vietnam Debut: International Team Dominates in Hà Nội Friendly
What's the Score?
An international team of Major League Pickleball (MLP) stars triumphed over their Vietnamese counterparts in a thrilling friendly event held in Hà Nội on April 15th, securing a 4-2 victory. The tournament, branded 'Rise with the Flames', showcased the increasing popularity of pickleball in Vietnam and featured some of the most recognisable names in the sport.
Hit it deeper! The 'Rise with the Flames' tournament brought a remarkable array of international pickleball talent to Việt Nam. Among the prominent players was Andrei Daescu, the number one seed in men's doubles, who not only enjoyed the competition but also took the opportunity to experience Việt Nam for the first time. Daescu's presence added significant excitement to the event as he immersed himself in the local culture.
Joining Daescu were other renowned players such as Jack Sock, Tyson McGuffin, Jessie Irvine, Pesa Teoni, and Eugenie Bouchard. Their arrival in a country where pickleball is rapidly gaining traction highlighted the global interest in the sport's development in emerging markets like Vietnam.
Prior to the matches, the international players spent time exploring Việt Nam. On April 12th, they explored the vibrant capital of Hà Nội, followed by visits to Ninh Bình and Quảng Ninh on April 13th. During these excursions, they showcased their skills at the scenic Tràng An Landscape Complex and the impressive courts in Hạ Long Bay, both locations buzzing with enthusiasm at the Đại Kim Complex where the main event took place.
Several notable matches were played during the friendly competition. Daescu and Phúc Huỳnh secured a close 7-5 victory over McGuffin and Sock. In another match, Lý Hoàng Nam and Trịnh Linh Giang faced Teoni and Vuk Velickovic, with the score reaching 0-7. On the women's side, Irvine and Bouchard clinched a 7-3 win against Alex Truong and Dana Funaro.
This marked a memorable first visit to Việt Nam for Andrei Daescu, a Romanian tennis player who transitioned to pickleball after a successful tennis career, including participation in several Grand Slam tournaments. In his relatively new pickleball career, he has impressively accumulated 26 gold medals from Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour events, demonstrating his successful adaptation to the sport.
Canadian sports star Eugenie Bouchard, who was previously ranked fifth in the world in tennis, now holds the 15th spot in the world of pickleball, showcasing her remarkable versatility and continued passion for sports.
Tyson McGuffin, a prominent figure in pickleball, made headlines in 2023 as the first player to secure the Triple Crown of pickleball. Just weeks before this Vietnam event, he participated in the JOOLA 2025 Pickleball Legends Tour across Asia alongside tennis icon Andre Agassi, further highlighting the growing intersection between tennis and pickleball.
On the Vietnamese side, Lý Hoàng Nam, a former top national tennis player with Wimbledon experience, has temporarily paused his tennis career to embrace the challenges of pickleball, underscoring the sport's increasing allure for established athletes. The excitement generated by the MLP stars' visit is set to continue as the group travels to Ho Chi Minh City for a series of activities scheduled from April 16th to 18th.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The friendly MLP event in Hà Nội represents a significant milestone in the development of pickleball in Vietnam. The presence of such high-calibre international players not only elevates the profile of the sport within the country but also provides invaluable inspiration and exposure for local players and fans. The enthusiastic reception and engagement at both the competitive matches and the showcase events in scenic locations demonstrate the growing appetite for pickleball in Vietnam.
The participation of athletes with backgrounds in tennis, like Daescu, Bouchard, and Nam, further highlights the synergies between racquet sports and the potential for established athletes to transition successfully to pickleball. McGuffin's involvement, along with his previous tour with Andre Agassi, underscores the increasing recognition and appeal of pickleball on an international scale.
This event, under the 'Rise with the Flames' banner, aptly captures the trajectory of pickleball in Vietnam – a sport rapidly igniting passion and participation. The continued activities planned in Ho Chi Minh City will likely further fuel this growth, leaving a lasting impact on the Vietnamese pickleball community and potentially attracting more international attention and investment in the sport within the region.