APP Tour Finals, Daytona Preview, India & Asia Pickleball News
Good morning, pickleballers!
It's another week, and another step nearer the end of the year - wow, where has 2025 gone?
Even though we are deep into December, there's so much pickleball news breaking every 24 hours.
Here's the latest pickleball news from around the world.
Historic Golds and Double Wins Mark Season Finale at APP Tour Championships
Fort Lauderdale, USA – The 2025 GEICO APP Tour Championships delivered a spectacular conclusion to the season at The Fort, featuring historic firsts and dominant repeat performances across the professional and senior divisions.
In a breakthrough moment for the tour, Seone Mendez secured her first career APP Tour gold medal in women’s singles. Mendez defeated veteran Katerina Stewart in a thrilling final, rallying to clinch the title with a 16-14 victory in the second game. The men's singles bracket saw similar history made as Ryler DeHeart captured his first-ever gold, edging out Dusty Boyer in two tight sets.
The tournament was also defined by multi-medal performances. Will Howells and Bobbi Oshiro continued their dominance in mixed doubles, earning their fourth gold of the season by defeating Sofia Sewing and Casey Diamond. Howells added another gold in men’s doubles alongside Jack Munro, tying the single-season record with their eighth title of 2025. In women’s doubles, the dynamic pair of Shelby Bates and Sofia Sewing rallied from a game down to defeat Megan Fudge and Jill Braverman, securing their third title of the year.
The event also highlighted the AARP Champions (50+) and Masters (60+) divisions. In the Champions division, Jaime Oncins and Lee Whitwell were standout performers, winning gold in their respective doubles events and teaming up to win the mixed doubles title. The Masters division saw Lupita Curiel and David Spearman take singles gold, while the pair of Jean Halahan and Miguel Nido triumphed in mixed doubles. The season-ending tournament also concluded the Humana Cup, with Team Welsher and Team Johnston/Moorin taking top honors in their respective age brackets.
Star Pairings and Storylines Set for Daytona Beach Open
Daytona Beach, USA – The 2025 pickleball season is set to kick off in style this week at Pictona in Holly Hill, with the Florida Dairy Farmers Daytona Beach Open drawing over 1,200 players. As the first stop of the new campaign, the tournament offers fresh partnerships and intriguing storylines, headlined by the new women's doubles powerhouse of Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson.
While Waters is usually a triple threat, she is notably absent from the singles draw this week, meaning she will end her 2025 singles campaign with a perfect 59-0 record. This absence opens the door for top seed Kaitlyn Christian to defend her title, though she faces stiff competition from contenders like Lea Jansen and Catherine Parenteau. On the men’s side, world number one Federico Staksrud returns to defend his gold, with players like Connor Garnett and Gabe Joseph looking to disrupt his run.
Mixed doubles will see the Johnson siblings, Jorja and JW, competing as the top seeds in the absence of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters in this bracket. Meanwhile, the men’s doubles draw features the debut of the "Dallas Flash" partnership between JW Johnson and Augie Ge, adding excitement to a field led by defending champions Andrei Daescu and Gabriel Tardio.
With 1,000 ranking points on the line, the event promises high-stakes action. Coverage begins Wednesday on Pickleballtv, with the Tennis Channel broadcasting the later rounds starting Thursday.
District 9 Open Delivers Intense Action and Multiple Titles in Noida
Noida, India – The District 9 Open Pickleball tournament commenced with high intensity this week, showcasing dominant performances and crowning champions across five categories on its opening day. Held from December 13 to 14, the event saw players battling for supremacy in singles and doubles brackets.
Monica Menon emerged as the star of the day, securing multiple titles with a display of versatility and skill. In the women’s singles final, Menon delivered a commanding performance to defeat Vaniya Dangwal 11–2. She continued her winning streak in the mixed doubles final alongside Rahul Belwal, overcoming Megha Kapoor and Nikhil Singh Rajput 11-7 in a thrilling contest.
The 50+ men's doubles category opened the day's proceedings, with Akhil Mathur and Bhushan Akut producing a clinical 15–5 victory over Jasminder Singh and Vikram Kapur to take the title. The women's doubles final proved to be the day's closest battle, as Menon and partner Khushi Sachdeva edged out Shefali Arora and Nitanya Malik 11–8 in a match characterised by long rallies and leveled scores.
In the amateur division, Kavin Karthik and Rakshak Tarun capped a dominant tournament run with a flawless 11–0 victory in the final. The event, organised under the Indian Pickleball Association, continues to highlight the sport's rapid growth in the region.
Guam Team Battles Freezing Temperatures at Japan Championships
Tokyo, Japan – A delegation of 11 pickleball players from Guam faced their toughest opponent yet—frigid winter weather—while competing at the PJF Pickleball Championships 2025 in Ariake last week. Bundled in wool hats and puffy jackets, the team navigated the outdoor courts amidst gusty winds and near-freezing conditions that significantly altered gameplay.
Despite the environmental challenges, the Guam contingent found success on the international stage. The pair of Jane Quitano and Anita Feria advanced to the bronze medal match in the senior women's doubles (Skill 3.5/Age 50-59) division. Although they ultimately fell to the Japanese team of Yukiko Pauli and Miki Watanabe 15-4, Feria expressed pride in their resilience, stating they played their best despite the cold affecting the ball and their bodies.
Robert Bartonico, a coordinator for Team Guam, noted the stark contrast between the tropical climate of Guam and the conditions in Tokyo. He highlighted that the team performed admirably, with Connie and Robert Bartonico advancing to the round of 16 in the mixed doubles division after a strong 4-2 showing in round-robin play.
The tournament served as a valuable learning experience regarding the level of international competition. Bartonico observed that the skill ratings in Japan are more competitive, estimating that a 3.0 level player in Japan compares to a 4.0 level player in Guam, signaling a need for enhanced coaching and drilling for future international events.
Philippine Pickleball League Announces Major Reforms and 2026 Luzon Open
Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Pickleball League (PPL) has unveiled ambitious plans for the future, including a major restructuring of tournament operations and the announcement of the PPL Luzon Open 2026. Aldus Dela Cruz, founder of the PPL, addressed the community this week, acknowledging the growing pains of previous events while outlining a vision for a standardised national system.
Reflecting on the PPL Metro Manila Championship, which drew 800 registrants, Dela Cruz candidly admitted to initial logistical challenges, including delayed games and schedule conflicts. "Personally, that was not the tournament I envisioned," Dela Cruz stated, emphasizing his commitment to improving the athlete experience.
To address these issues, the PPL is implementing a new "Action Plan" for the upcoming 2026 Luzon Open. Key changes include strategic scheduling to minimise wait times, proactive conflict checking for brackets, and strict adherence to guidelines to ensure fairness. Dela Cruz, a top-ranked international player himself, established the league to connect talent across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, noting that many local players possess world-class potential.
The league is now opening its doors for volunteers and organizers nationwide to help shape the future of the sport in the Philippines.
Youth and Experience Shine at Star-Studded Picklefest in Mumbai
Mumbai, India – The GlobalSpa Picklefest PWR 400 at Otters Club witnessed a spectacular showcase of Indian pickleball talent this weekend, with seasoned veterans and rising teenage stars claiming top honours across two days of intense competition.
On Day 1, the teenage duo of Ammol Ramchandani (18) and Stavya Bhasin (17) cemented their status as India’s premier men’s doubles pair. The IPA National champions displayed remarkable composure to edge out Maitreya Bhagat and Anay Patil 16–14 in a nail-biting final. The Amalsadiwala sisters, Pearl and Naomi, also triumphed, clinching the women's doubles title with a gritty 16-14 win. The Under-14 category highlighted the sport's future, as Yanniv Sainaani and Nirvair Bhan dominated their final with a 15-4 victory.
Day 2 belonged to veteran Bhushan Akut, who achieved a rare "double crown". Akut partnered with Ahmed Jaffer to win the 50+ gender-neutral doubles and later teamed up with Ashok Rohira to capture the 60+ title, showcasing exceptional consistency and tactical awareness. In other key matchups, Sindoor Mittal and Shraddha Damani utilized superior coordination to win the 35+ women’s doubles, while Estephany Tan and Rohin Rajani secured the Pro Mixed Doubles title after a hard-fought 15-12 victory.
The IPA-sanctioned event underscored the depth of talent in India, from the commanding play of the youth to the strategic mastery of the senior divisions.
PJF disputes "competitor" characterisation in UPA sacking dispute
Dallas, USA – A dispute over exclusivity and competition has erupted in the professional pickleball world, as the United Pickleball Association (UPA) reportedly terminated the contracts of top players James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, and Vivian Glozman. The terminations were allegedly triggered by the players' participation in clinics and events organised by the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) in Tokyo, which the UPA deemed "competitor events".
The controversy centres on whether the PJF activities at the Ariake Tennis Park constituted a breach of contract. Ryan Fu has defended the players' actions, claiming they merely conducted clinics—similar to activities they performed the previous year without repercussion.
In a twist, the Pickleball Japan Federation has publicly disputed the "competitor" characterization. Quinn Riordan, Chair of the PJF Board of Trustees, issued a statement clarifying that the PJF is a non-profit organisation focused on spreading the sport, not a rival tour. "The Pickleball Japan Federation is not a competitor to PPA," Riordan stated, noting that the organization has previously supported PPA events and is currently collaborating on potential future tournaments in Japan.
Despite the PJF's defence and the players' claims, the contract terminations remain in effect as the UPA enforces its policies on player exclusivity.
UFC Star Sean O’Malley Launches 80s-Themed Pickleball Gym in Arizona
Peoria, USA – UFC bantamweight champion “Suga” Sean O’Malley and his longtime coach Tim Welch are trading the octagon for the kitchen with the launch of their new business venture, "The Pickle Dojo". Located in Peoria, Arizona, next to their MMA training centre, the new indoor pickleball facility is designed to cater to the sport's booming popularity while offering a unique retro aesthetic.
The pair discovered pickleball eight months ago and quickly became obsessed, finding that the sport served as excellent active recovery for MMA training. "It’s almost like doing ladders... It’s almost like doing plyometrics," Welch explained regarding the crossover benefits.
The Pickle Dojo features a distinct 1980s vibe, complete with bright colours and retro memorabilia, reflecting O’Malley’s flamboyant style. Welch noted that the design aims to be inviting to the local retirement community in Sun City while maintaining an energetic atmosphere. "We wanted colors that were bright and exciting, so you go in there and just feel the energy," Welch said.
While O'Malley prepares for his upcoming title fight at UFC 324, he will briefly step away from the courts to avoid injury, but both founders remain committed to building a community at the new facility similar to the one at their Red Hawk Academy.