Staksrud to Headline Hangzhou Open After World Championship Triumph
What’s the Score?
World No. 1 men’s singles player Federico Staksrud is set to headline the Hangzhou Open, the final stop of the PPA Tour Asia season, running December 3–6 at the Linping Sports Center. His arrival follows a commanding run at the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, where he captured gold in men’s singles and earned his first men’s doubles title of the year with Hayden Patriquin. The Hangzhou Open offers strong incentives, including a $50,000 purse, 1,000 Asia ranking points, and 500 PPA Tour points.
Hit it deeper!
Staksrud’s strong form makes him the clear centrepiece of the event. His recent World Championship performance reaffirmed his standing at the top of the sport. In singles, he overcame Chris Haworth in a confident final that settled an earlier loss from Atlanta. In doubles, he and Patriquin produced one of the tournament’s most notable wins, defeating top seeds Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio in an emotional semifinal before closing out JW Johnson and CJ Klinger on Championship Sunday.
His schedule this month has been demanding. Before travelling to China, Staksrud is competing at the Veolia Lakeland Open, presented by Six Zero, entering singles, doubles with Tyson McGuffin, and mixed doubles with Parris Todd. His commitment to maintaining a heavy competitive load highlights his drive to secure ranking points across multiple tours.
For players across the region, the Hangzhou Open provides a key opportunity. The combination of prize money and ranking points makes it one of the most influential events on the PPA Tour Asia calendar, shaping end-of-season standings and reinforcing the region’s growing influence in the global game.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Federico Staksrud’s appearance at the Hangzhou Open lifts the event into a higher tier. His decision to compete in Asia reinforces the tour’s growing relevance and signals that elite players now view these stops as essential for rankings and reputation. Coming off a major championship victory, Staksrud gives the event immediate weight and confirms the PPA Tour Asia as a meaningful part of the professional pickleball landscape.