APP Vlasic Classic, US Open Champs & VR Pickleball Debut
Good morning, pickleballers!
It's another Wednesday in your pickleball week.
We have all the latest pickleball news for you, covering every story of note across the pickleball world.
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Now, on with the global pickleball news!
GOLDEN TICKETS ON THE LINE: APP Vlasic Classic Returns to Cincinnati Featuring Pickleball's Elite & History Chasers!
Cincinnati, USA – The 2025 APP Vlasic Classic has returned to the Midwest this week, setting up courts live from Sawyer Point on the banks of the Ohio River. Running from Thursday, May 8 through Sunday, May 11, this five-day event features amateurs, elite pros, and the AARP Champions (50+) division. The tournament holds significant importance as a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, where gold medalists will earn their spot at the 2025 USAP National Championships.
Exciting storylines abound as players chase history. Megan Fudge is on the cusp of breaking the all-time record for career APP Tour medals, currently tied at 68, and has three chances to do so in Cincinnati. Chris Haworth is also seeking to claim the outright lead in all-time APP Tour men's pro singles gold medals, tied at 10. Other top players competing include Will Howells, who leads in 2025 medals and golds and recently achieved a triple crown, Sofia Sewing, who has been in all four women's singles finals this year, and Jack Munro, carrying a three-straight men's doubles gold medal streak. Fans can watch the action live on APPTV on YouTube, Court Sports Network, and Facebook throughout the event, with additional shows airing on CBS Sports Network.
Five Champions Crowned as 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships Wrap Up Thrilling Week
Naples, Florida – The 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park concluded, celebrating the crowning of five pro-level champions across the key divisions. The ninth edition of the event featured a mix of top-ranked players and impressive breakout performances.
In the women's pro doubles final held on Saturday, May 3, Anna Leigh Waters and her mother Leigh Waters repeated as champions, securing their second consecutive US Open title. The men's pro doubles title went to the young pair of Jack Munro and Len Yang, who overcame a tough three-set semifinal match. Munro had a golden weekend, teaming up with Megan Fudge to also win the mixed pro doubles championship. Megan Fudge added a women's pro singles gold medal to her collection. Finally, Chris Haworth claimed his maiden US Open men's pro singles title. Munro, Yang, and Fudge were specifically noted for winning multiple gold medals, signaling the rise of new talent in the sport alongside established stars. The event drew thousands of fans throughout the week.
High Schooler Turns Broken Pickleballs into Puzzles, Saves Thousands from Landfills
Redwood City, USA – A creative solution to pickleball waste is emerging from San Mateo County, California, thanks to Emily, a student at Carlmont High School. Recognizing that broken pickleballs, often made from hard-to-recycle plastic, frequently end up in landfills, Emily launched "Emily’s Pickle Puzzles Upcycling Project".
Her innovative project involves collecting cracked pickleballs and giving them a new life by transforming them into puzzle toys, such as tangrams. As of Monday, this initiative has already saved 1,800 balls from entering landfills. The project aims to not only reduce waste but also increase awareness about plastic pollution. Local pickleball players are encouraged to support the effort by depositing their broken balls in special drop-off bins located at Courts 1 and 2 at Red Morton Tennis and Pickleball Courts in Redwood City. This provides a simple way for the community to participate in keeping damaged equipment out of the trash and contributing to a cleaner environment.
Pickleball Facility Leaders Connect at IAPF's First Regional Meetup
Scottsdale, USA – The International Association of Pickleball Facilities (IAPF) convened its first-ever regional meetup in Scottsdale, Arizona, held on April 28 and 29, 2025. The event successfully brought together over 60 individuals, including pickleball facility owners, vendors, and industry leaders from the West Coast. Attendees gathered to share ideas and insights aimed at collectively developing the sport's infrastructure.
Hosted at The Orchard facility, the two-day gathering featured tours of various Phoenix-area pickleball venues and panels with prominent business figures in the sport. A key takeaway emphasized teamwork and collaboration, highlighting that the growth of the sport benefits all participants. IAPF founder David Johnson articulated the vision to build a "successful, sustainable and supportive global ecosystem" for the industry.
This initial regional meeting marks the start of a planned series. The IAPF intends to host additional meetups in locations like Boston, Chicago, and Fort Lauderdale over the coming months. These events will lead up to the association's first Annual Conference and Trade Show scheduled for October 2025 in Austin, Texas, furthering the goal of connecting and supporting the pickleball facilities community.
Pickleball Goes Digital: First Virtual Reality Esports League Launches
USA – Pickleball is officially stepping into the digital arena with the launch of its first virtual reality (VR) esports league. Players equipped with VR headsets and paddle controllers can now compete in matches from their homes, merging the excitement of video games with the rapidly growing popularity of pickleball in the United States.
The league offers an online open play format, allowing players from around the world to participate in singles or doubles matches. Building on the success of earlier VR events that awarded real prizes like branded paddles and trips to pro tour stops, the new league anticipates offering significant prize money, with reports suggesting a potential six-figure fund. Matches utilize advanced VR technology, including Meta Quest headsets and paddle-shaped controllers designed to simulate real pickleball physics and rules. While some experts debate whether VR can fully replicate the physical game, the league aims to expand accessibility and offer a new way for fans to engage with the sport, supported by partners like Gearbox Sports. The introduction of VR esports aligns pickleball with other traditional sports trends and represents a bold move into the future.
AIPA Cites 18 Years of Building Pickleball in India, Calls Recognition Decision 'Injustice'
Delhi, India – The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appealing for support after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) denied them official recognition. AIPA, established in 2007, argues that the ministry's decision to recognize the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), a group formed only five months ago, is a significant "injustice" to the sport in India.
AIPA highlighted its 18 years of work in developing pickleball nationwide, building the sport "brick by brick, paddle by paddle" across more than 25 states with thousands of players and coaches. They were also involved in founding the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) and the Asian Pickleball Federation (APF). The association expressed concern that this move by the ministry erases years of effort and undermines trust in the system. AIPA is urging a transparent review of the decision to ensure that Indian sport is not affected by politics.