Yuta Funemizu Makes History as First Japanese Player to Sign with PPA and MLP
What's the Score?
Yuta Funemizu, a former Soft Tennis World Champion from Japan, has signed an exclusive contract with the Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP), becoming the first Japanese player to join these prominent pickleball leagues. Funemizu moved to the US in January 2024 to pursue professional pickleball.
Hit it deeper!
Japan's Yuta Funemizu, a distinguished former Soft Tennis World Champion, has made a groundbreaking move in the world of pickleball by signing an exclusive contract with the Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). This historic signing marks Funemizu as the first Japanese import to join pickleball's premier leagues. Despite his success in soft tennis, Funemizu recently made the transition to pickleball.
Funemizu expressed his honour in being the first Japanese player to sign with the PPA Tour, viewing it as the initial step in his new career. In January 2024, he relocated from Japan to the United States to fully dedicate himself to the rapidly growing sport. During his first year in the US, Funemizu competed in 23 tournaments, reaching the Round of 32 in several PPA Tour events. He has already achieved a significant victory in mixed doubles against Collin Johns at the PPA Masters.
Funemizu's playing style, characterized by its fast pace, dynamism, and aggression, has drawn comparisons to that of Christian Alshon and Gabriel Tardio. His achievements include a silver medal in men’s singles at the Asia Pickleball Games in Taiwan in 2024, and two gold medals at the PJF Pickleball Championships in Japan in the same year (one in men’s doubles Skill Division and one in mixed doubles Open Division). These victories in Asia have not only established Funemizu as a player to watch but have also increased the visibility of pickleball in his home country of Japan.
Looking ahead, Funemizu has set ambitious goals, including becoming the first Japanese player in Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the first Japanese player to win a tournament on the PPA Tour. He also hopes that his presence on the PPA Tour will contribute to the growth of pickleball in Japan, where the sport is still relatively unknown.
The Carvana PPA Tour is enthusiastically welcoming Funemizu, with Deputy Commissioner Chris Patrick describing him as a "trailblazer". Patrick praised Funemizu as an incredible athlete who is already finding success in professional pickleball and expressed excitement about his joining the PPA Tour. He also noted the significant domestic and international growth of both the PPA Tour and MLP, and the increasing interest from athletes worldwide in competing on the premier pickleball tour. Patrick believes that Funemizu will likely inspire other athletes from his region to pursue professional pickleball.
The article suggests that Funemizu's winning tradition from soft tennis may well continue in pickleball, which would be beneficial for both Japan and the sport globally.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Yuta Funemizu's signing with the PPA Tour and MLP is a landmark event that signifies the increasing global reach and appeal of professional pickleball. As the first Japanese player to join these major leagues, Funemizu is not only making history for his country but also paving the way for other international athletes to pursue professional pickleball careers in the US. His prior success in soft tennis and his early achievements in pickleball suggest a promising future in the sport. Funemizu's ambition to win a PPA Tour event and join MLP will undoubtedly be a compelling storyline for fans, both in Japan and internationally. His presence on the PPA Tour is also expected to significantly boost the awareness and popularity of pickleball in Japan, a market with considerable potential for growth. This signing underscores the ongoing internationalization of professional pickleball and the sport's growing recognition as a global competitive endeavor.