APP Women’s Open, CNPL Finals, Perth Grand Slam
Good morning, pickleballers!
It's another glorious Tuesday in the world of pickleball.
We have all the latest pickleball news for you in today's report.
$75,000 Showcase: Columbus Welcomes Back APP Women’s Open for Second Year
Columbus, United States – The 2025 APP Women’s Open Presented by The James is set to return to Pickle & Chill in Columbus, Ohio, from October 3–5, 2025, offering a major showcase for women’s pickleball. This event, which has quickly become a highlight on the pickleball calendar, marks the second consecutive year Columbus has hosted the tournament.
The APP Women’s Open is designed to highlight women at every level of the sport, blending intense competition with camaraderie and a positive environment focused on women supporting women. Athletes will compete across multiple divisions, ranging from the 3.0 skill level up through the professional ranks. The competition schedule includes singles, doubles, and split-age doubles events.
Professional players will be battling fiercely for a piece of the substantial $75,000 prize money awarded at the event. Meanwhile, amateur players will have the opportunity to participate on a major stage alongside the sport’s top competitors. Events will cover multiple divisions, ensuring opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to participate.
For visitors travelling to Columbus during the tournament weekend, the city offers more than just pickleball. October in Ohio features colourful autumn scenery and various seasonal festivals. Local attractions such as the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, along with museums, theatres, and sports venues, provide diverse entertainment options for players and fans alike. Organisers are encouraging both fans and players to make the most of this year's experience.
Canada's Elite 48 Battle for National Pickleball Crown in London Showdown
London, Canada – The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) is gearing up for its high-stakes Championship Weekend, officially dubbed the CNPL III playoffs London Showdown. The event will be hosted at Smash Pickleball in London, Ontario, and runs from October 4–5, 2025, with play scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT each day.
The weekend will feature Canada’s top talent battling for the league’s third title. In total, 48 professional athletes are set to compete. These players are organized into eight teams drawn from the CNPL’s Eastern and Western divisions. Every team roster includes six athletes, with at least five mandated to be Canadian players. Teams vying for the national championship include the Prairie Pronghorns, Detroit-Windsor Drive, Vancouver Owls, Northern Lights, Southwestern Ontario Brewers, Montreal Lions, Northern Lights Ontario Pickleball, and the hometown Toronto United Pickleball Club.
This championship brings together the best Canadian players to showcase skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The CNPL is a key factor in the rapid growth of pickleball across Canada, highlighting regional pride and building excitement while supporting the long-term professional growth of the sport.
Spectators are promised competitive matches, exciting rivalries, and standout moments. Fans wishing to attend need a grounds pass, which costs $15 per day if purchased online in advance, or $20 per day at the door. Amateur competitors and CNPL professionals do not need a pass but must register at the front desk. Organisers expect the event to inspire more players and fans, underscoring the growing popularity and strength of the professional scene in Canada.
Pickleball Pioneer Brings First Indoor Centre to North England, Boosting Sheffield’s Sports Scene
Sheffield, England – Sheffield is preparing to welcome the first indoor Pickleball centre in the North of England. Peak Pickleball is set to open next month (October 2025), established by founder Gina Floyd, who left her career as a civil servant to bring the sport to the city. Floyd and her partner, Hannah Adams, were introduced to the sport—which combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis—while in the US.
They are currently converting a 6,000 sq ft warehouse on Newhall Road into a dedicated facility. The venue will house three Pickleball courts, alongside a coffee bar and toilet facilities. Having secured planning permission earlier this year, Peak Pickleball plans to employ several full-time and part-time staff members, plus coaches.
Floyd lauded the sport’s inherent community benefits, stating she was impressed by its ability to bring people of all ages, genders, and abilities together. She believes the facility will contribute positively to local sporting infrastructure by providing an accessible venue for the rapidly growing sport, while also serving as a critical hub for social interaction and physical well-being.
The location is strategically placed right next to the English Institute of Sport and the Olympic Legacy Park. MD Law, specifically senior associate Travis Wood, provided commercial property legal advice to Floyd and Adams, assisting them in acquiring the location and securing a 10-year lease. The centre’s initial opening hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Off-Duty Firefighters Save Navy Veteran's Life on Pickleball Court, Reunite in Emotional Ceremony
Clermont County, United States – Carey Williams, a 70-year-old Navy veteran and retired schoolteacher, held an emotional reunion Monday with the two Miami Township firefighters who saved his life in July. Williams went into sudden cardiac arrest after collapsing during a pickleball game at Sawyer Point.
Firefighters Michael Tankersley and Jacob Myrick, who were off-duty at the time, quickly recognised the emergency. They called for an automated external defibrillator (AED), which a bystander provided, and successfully revived Williams. Williams had been playing Game 6 when he suddenly felt faint, recalling, "I was out like a light".
During the reunion at a Clermont County firehouse, Williams expressed overwhelming gratitude to his rescuers. "They touched my heart, my life, my mind, so I got a special place for these guys in my heart and my memory because I wouldn’t be here without them,” he said, adding that he would "adopt them if I could”. Myrick shared that he usually doesn't get nervous, but his "heart was racing" when meeting Williams again. Tankersley added that they had been looking forward to the meeting for a long time.
Williams later discovered he had five blockages and spent a month in the hospital recovering. Jacob Myrick emphasised the reward of seeing Williams "able to stand, walk, talk, live his life, be able to be with his family". Reflecting on his second chance, Williams declared, "God is good". The Miami Township Fire Department took the opportunity to highlight the life-saving importance of knowing CPR and having AEDs available in public areas. Williams hopes to return to the pickleball courts soon, pending doctor clearance.
Western Australia Set to Host Perth Grand Slam: Race is On for Final Registrations
Perth, Australia – The Perth Grand Slam, a crucial stop in the Grand Slam Series 2025, is rapidly approaching, set to run from October 10 to October 12, 2025. The sanctioned event will be hosted by Pickleball Tournaments Australia at the Nollamara Tennis Club in Nollamara, Perth, Western Australia. Prospective participants must act quickly, as registration closes on October 1, 2025.
The tournament is open to members of Pickleball Australia. Entry costs AUD 70, which includes one event, with additional events priced at AUD 30 each. Players may enter a maximum of four events, with opportunities available in singles, skinny singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Competition will adhere to USA Pickleball (USAPA) rules. Play kicks off on Friday, October 10, with singles and skinny singles. Saturday will host men’s and women’s doubles, culminating in mixed doubles on Sunday. All players are guaranteed a minimum of three games per event, beginning with round robin matches before advancing to semifinals and finals.
The tournament will use DUPR rankings for seeding. In doubles, teams are required to enter at the skill level of the higher-rated partner. The Franklin X40 ball will be used for all outdoor play. Beyond competition, the Perth Grand Slam gives players across Australia the chance to gain exposure in sanctioned play, highlighting the growing popularity of pickleball throughout Western Australia.
State Pride Prevails: NSW and Queensland Dominate Inaugural Australian Masters Cup Finals
Pimpama, Australia – The first-ever Australian Masters Cup Finals concluded over the weekend at the Pimpama Sports Hub, showcasing the country’s top pickleball players aged 50+, 60+, and 70+. Following a national competition process that began months earlier with over 1,200 players, the finals produced a dramatic showdown between New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), who faced off in the championship matches across all three age groups.
Teams from NSW, QLD, Victoria, Tasmania/ACT, and WA/SA/NT competed for national glory. Each state was represented by eight players—four men and four women—in every age division, battling across men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. By Sunday morning, New South Wales 70+, Queensland 60+, and New South Wales 50+ had advanced directly into the finals.
The championship matches were fiercely contested, driven by state pride. The atmosphere was electric throughout the weekend, with courtside cheers echoing across the venue. Ultimately, champions were crowned and celebrated as the inaugural winners of the Australian Masters Cup.
Event organiser Brad Kluss reflected on the success, expressing pride in the event delivered. The competition was significant for both new players getting their first taste of tournament play and seasoned veterans marking another milestone. Due to its high success, Kluss confirmed that the Australian Masters Cup will return in 2026, with plans for an even bigger competition.
Back to the Future: Wood Paddles Transform Pro Pickleball, Emphasising Finesse at Sacramento Vintage Open
Sacramento, United States – The recent Pickleball Central Sacramento Vintage Open offered a nostalgic and strategically complex twist on professional play by requiring athletes to use wood paddles—technology not seen consistently since the composite paddle was invented in 1984. This unique requirement fundamentally shifted the game, forcing pros who grew up playing with power to adapt to "old school strategies".
The most notable consequence was the severe lack of power, making it exceptionally difficult to execute easy winners via drives or speedups. Consequently, the emphasis returned to precision, dinking, angles, and lobs. The tournament saw a resurgence of the third shot drop, which had previously dominated the game just five years ago, benefitting players who prioritised finesse and shot-making over raw power.
Matches became significantly longer and tighter. Many games ended up extremely close, with multiple teams fighting off numerous game or match points. The slow nature of the play meant the semifinals on Saturday wrapped up late at night. In fact, all four bronze matches played went the full three games.
This vintage style provided an advantage to seasoned veterans, such as Andrei Daescu, and those whose natural game relies on control. The change allowed partners like JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier to successfully revert to their preferred old style of hitting drops and looking to counter. Federico Staksrud won singles, while Jessie Irvine and Lea Jansen each secured two medals. Although the wood paddle event was a one-shot affair for 2025, the format was praised for returning the game to its strategic roots, with hopes it will return in 2026.
adidas Returns Stronger: New AdiPower Paddle Line and MLP Champion CJ Klinger Join Forces
Pickleball Industry, Global – Global sports giant adidas has launched its new AdiPower paddle line, signalling a powerful re-entry into the pickleball market under the brand’s new mantra: “Always Return Stronger”. The AdiPower line is designed for players who favour shot-making but still desire accessible power, emphasising stability, consistency, and a solid feel.
The AdiPower PRO-EDT line is built on a durable, foam-enhanced polymer foundation. A core technical innovation is the TriFoam Edge Reinforcement, which features EVA foam protruding inwards to stabilise the face, reduce vibration, and increase responsiveness and dwell time. Other premium features include a Low-Density Polypropylene core for precision, and a Raw Carbon Fibre Surface engineered for generating controlled spin. The line includes three models—two elongated and one widebody—with 14mm or 16mm cores, each retailing for $189.
The launch is supported by a strengthening roster of professional athletes. Jaume Martinez Vich, who lent his signature to two PRO EDT models, stated that the paddle’s technology adds a "power side" to his game, opening up new weapons.
In a significant move, adidas also announced the signing of top young pro CJ Klinger. The 19-year-old Ohio native is a fan favourite, known for his ability to shape the ball on the court, and recently helped the Columbus Sliders secure the 2025 MLP championship title. Klinger joins a pro lineup that includes Mari Humberg, Rafa Hewett, Ava Cavataio, and John Cincola. Adidas has confirmed that a signature paddle for CJ Klinger is already in the works.
‘I Felt the Love’: Christian Alshon Sweeps Medals, Hints at Return Following Panas Malaysia Cup
Malaysia, Asia – PPA Tour star Christian Alshon concluded a highly successful run at the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 over the weekend, winning medals in all three events he entered. This was Alshon’s first appearance in Malaysia, and he quickly established himself as a dominant international competitor.
Alshon secured the gold medal in Men’s Singles. He also claimed silver medals in both Men’s Doubles (alongside Ben Johns) and Mixed Doubles (with Kaitlyn Christian).
The American pro confirmed his positive experience on his X account earlier this week, sharing his gratitude for the local support. "Leaving Malaysia with [gold medal emoji] [two silver medal emojis]. Not a bad week at the international office," Alshon posted. He emphasised the enthusiastic atmosphere, adding, “I felt the love all tournament”.
Alshon was so impressed by the event and the community that he hinted at a future return. “Thank you, Malaysia, we will return,” he tweeted, promising fans a photo dump of his experience. His successful visit and effusive praise serve as a testament to the growth and warmth of Malaysia’s rapidly expanding pickleball community. Should he return, Alshon can expect to be met with the same support and appreciation he received during this medal-winning trip.