Shocks at Atlanta Open & CNPL Trade Headlines Global Pickleball News

Newman Duo Reunites! Lindsey and Riley Play First Mixed Doubles Match Together Since 2023 at Atlanta Championships

Peachtree Corners, USA –A familiar and highly successful mixed doubles pairing has reunited at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships presented by Ensure Max Protein at Life Time Peachtree Corners. Lindsey and Riley Newman played their first mixed doubles match together since August of 2023, securing a victory in their return.

The Newman duo, seeded for the tournament, earned an 11-6, 11-2 win over the No. 51 seeds Allison Phillips and Cason Campbell. This commanding straight-game performance marked a strong start for the pair. Having previously earned ten PPA medals together in mixed doubles, Lindsey and Riley Newman are clearly looking to make their way back to the podium this week. Their path forward in the Round of 32 will see them face the No. 22 seeds, Mary Brascia and Blaine Hovenier, on Wednesday. Their return adds another compelling storyline to the competitive Atlanta event.

Blockbuster Trade Rocks Canadian Pickleball! Star Jordann Vigna Heads to Toronto in Major CNPL Shakeup

Toronto, Canada –The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) has witnessed a significant roster shakeup following a major trade between the Prairie Pronghorns and Toronto United Pickleball Club. Jordann Vigna, a player originally drafted by the Prairie Pronghorns, has been traded to Toronto United. In exchange, the Prairie Pronghorns receive Carolina Hack and a cash payment.

Toronto United gains Jordann Vigna, a player recognised for her leadership, experience, and strong performance in both singles and doubles. Vigna is also noted for her importance in the growth of pickleball in Canada off the court. This move is expected to potentially give Toronto United an edge heading into the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Prairie Pronghorns welcome Carolina Hack, known as a smart and strong defender with a steady mindset. Hack previously helped Toronto United win big matches and is a proven CNPL champion. The added cash provides the Pronghorns flexibility.

This trade has generated buzz throughout the league, with both teams making bold moves to enhance their prospects for the upcoming season. The shift in talent could significantly impact the competitive balance and season outcome.

CNPL Scores Major Broadcast Deal! Game+ to Air Every Match of 2025 Season Live Across North America

Canada – The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) has secured a significant broadcast agreement for the upcoming season. Game+ has been named the official broadcasting partner for the 2025 CNPL III season, committing to air every match live. This extensive coverage will span from the initial serve through to the final championship point.

This partnership means that pickleball fans throughout Canada and the United States will have access to the CNPL action. Game+, known for broadcasting exciting sports events including Major League Pickleball, is accessible on a variety of platforms such as cable, IPTV, satellite, and streaming services like FUBO. Game+ reaches millions of homes during the CNPL season.

The agreement ensures live broadcasts of the entire regular season and playoffs. Viewers can also expect expert commentary and analysis. This deal is a major step in increasing the visibility and accessibility of the CNPL, bringing the thrilling 2025 season directly to fans across North America.

Pickleball's Business Boom Confirmed! Carvana Renews Title Sponsorship of PPA Tour in Multi-Year Deal

USA – The growth of professional pickleball as a significant business is further solidified with the announcement that Carvana has renewed its title sponsorship of the PPA Tour. This multi-year agreement reinforces the commitment of the online auto giant to the sport, a partnership that originally began in 2022.

Carvana has been the title sponsor of the PPA Tour since 2022, which was seen as a sign that major players were recognising the long-term value in pickleball. The renewal confirms that pickleball is not just a temporary trend, but is building a movement. According to Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour, Carvana is the largest and most impactful sponsor of professional pickleball, with its investment aligning with the tour's vision for fan engagement and growing the sport.

Since the partnership started, Carvana has contributed to the rapid scaling of professional pickleball, evidenced by large fan attendance at events and millions more watching broadcasts and streams. The PPA Tour is planning its biggest season yet in 2025, with Carvana's recommitment highlighting the sport's staying power and serious upside. This news, coupled with other major brand deals like DoorDash with Major League Pickleball, clearly shows that pickleball is now a significant business entity.

Pickleball Heads to Paradise! Bermuda Announces Deloitte Open Welcoming Players of All Skill Levels

Bermuda, Bermuda – Pickleball players are invited to the picturesque island of Bermuda for the 2025 Deloitte Open Tennis and Pickleball Tournament. Set to take place at the Pomander Gate Tennis and Pickleball Club, the pickleball portion of the event is scheduled from June 8 to June 14, 2025.

The tournament welcomes players of all skill levels, offering competition in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and open singles. Participants will be divided into three skill groups: 3.49 and below, 3.5 to 3.99, and 4.0 and above. Players can register for up to three events across both sports.

Registration is available online through the club website. The deadline to register for pickleball is June 1, 2025, with tennis registration closing earlier on May 25. Entry fees begin at just $20 per event. Supported by local partners, the Deloitte Open offers a fantastic opportunity for competitive matches and community connection, helping to promote the growing sport in Bermuda.

Asian Pickleball Powerhouse Emerges! Facolos Expands Influence with Key Partnerships and Official Ball Status!

Asia – A significant new player is making waves in the Asian pickleball market: Facolos, a Vietnam-based company. The brand is rapidly expanding its regional and global influence through key partnerships and product recognition. Facolos has been appointed the Official Racquet Partner for the UPA Asia Trailblazers Programme, an intensive training initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing top pickleball talent across Asia. This partnership ensures promising players are equipped with high-quality, technologically advanced Facolos racquets.

Further cementing its position, the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) has selected Facolos's F-Pro Advanced ball to be the official match ball for all 2025 WPC tournaments held in Asia. This decision underscores the trust and confidence in Facolos's product quality. As a pioneer in developing pickleball in Vietnam, Facolos is now leveraging these achievements to become a prominent representative of Asian pickleball on the world stage. With new products like the Elite X racket already favoured by top players and strategic regional collaborations, Facolos is set to play a major role in the sport's continued growth.

Olympic Champion Gail Emms Swaps Badminton Racket for Pickleball Paddle! Medalist Debuts at English Nationals

Loughborough, England – Hitchin-born Olympic medallist and Badminton World Champion Gail Emms has officially stepped onto the pickleball court, making her debut at the Pickleball English Nationals held in Loughborough last weekend. Emms, who recently took up the sport, competed in the 4.0 category and achieved an impressive fourth-place finish.

Her performance was noted as incredible for her first event. Reflecting on her debut, Emms described it as a "valiant effort", especially considering she hadn't trained in months. This move by a celebrated athlete highlights the growing appeal of pickleball, a sport described as a hybrid of badminton, table tennis, and tennis, known for being easy to learn and enjoyable for all ages and abilities. With an estimated 45,000 people playing nationwide and Pickleball England reporting a 73% membership increase at the end of 2024, Emms' participation adds further prominence to the sport's rise in the UK.

Pickleball Serves Up Hope in Malaysia! NEC Hosts CSR Event Connecting Employees, Technology, and Underprivileged Children

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – NEC Malaysia, one of the country's leading digital transformation players, hosted a special Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) event on May 14, 2025, titled "Smash Barrier, Serve Hope: Giving Back Through Pickleball". Held with the Hiichiikok Home for Children Care in Kuala Lumpur, the initiative aimed to connect NEC employees with underprivileged children through engaging activities.

The event featured pickleball coaching sessions and friendly matches. Pickleball was chosen for its accessibility to all ages and skill levels. Children aged 4 to 17 from the home were paired with NEC employees for the day as part of an "Adopt a Child for a Day" initiative. Employees also introduced the children to the world of technology, sharing stories about innovation.

Wataru Irie, Managing Director of NEC Malaysia, stated the goal was to inspire the next generation and build a future empowered by technology. Frieda Ngui, Home Manager, noted the event made the children feel included and cared for. NEC staff successfully raised RM8,000 to provide essential groceries and furniture for the home, reinforcing NEC's commitment to community well-being and creating positive impacts.

Road to National Glory: Pickleball Canada Unveils 2025 Provincial Championship Schedule

Canada – Pickleball Canada has announced the calendar for the 2025 Provincial Championships, set to take place across the country throughout the spring and summer. These tournaments serve as a crucial pathway for players to compete, represent their provinces, and ultimately aim for the National Championships.

Welcoming participants of all skill levels, the championships provide a significant platform for local talent to develop and for the pickleball community to connect. Barry Petrachenko, Executive Director of Pickleball Canada, highlighted the role of these events in strengthening provincial associations and encouraging enthusiastic participation.

Players interested in competing must be members of Pickleball Canada. The schedule runs from May through July, with events confirmed in various provinces including Quebec (May 17-18), Nova Scotia (May 23-25), and British Columbia (July 24-27), among others. Registration deadlines are approaching for many of these provincial events.

These championships are considered vital for fostering the growth of pickleball and shaping the competitive landscape nationwide.

Southeast Asia's Pickleball Rise Cemented! Selangor International Tournament Draws Elite Players and National Athletes

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The rapidly growing sport of pickleball in Southeast Asia reached a significant milestone with the successful hosting of the Selangor International Pickleball Tournament 2025. Taking place from May 10–12 at the 91 Pickleball Club House, the event brought together elite players from more than 10 countries, including the USA, China, Vietnam, and India.

Organised by the Subang Jaya Pickleball Club and MyPickleball, and supported by local associations, the tournament showcased top-tier athleticism alongside community passion. The event gained further prominence with the attendance and participation of Malaysian national athletes from other disciplines, such as badminton and football.

Tournament Director Gee highlighted the event's success in blending skill, competition, and spirit. Adrian Cheah of Chariot Agency affirmed that pickleball is a recognised sport in Malaysia with growing infrastructure and talent. This tournament underscores pickleball's increasing appeal and solidifies its position as a sport with significant potential in the region.

Controversial 'Nasty Nelson' Serve Sparks Outrage and Cheers as it Seals US Open Gold Medal

United States – The final of the US Open Pickleball Championships ended in dramatic and controversial fashion with a rarely seen serve securing the gold medal. On match point in the third game, with the score standing at 10-4, player Mariana Paredes hit a serve directly at her opponent who was positioned close to the net. This tactic, known as a "Nasty Nelson," is legal but seldom used, especially at a critical moment like match point.

The serve striking the opponent immediately ended the point and the match, clinching the victory for Paredes and her partner. The sudden and unexpected conclusion sparked strong reactions online, with the move polarising viewers; some deemed it "bush league" and unsportsmanlike, while others celebrated it as the "best shot ever". Paredes addressed the controversy on Instagram, defending her decision by stating her opponents had been targeting her partner earlier and that she simply capitalised on an opportunity to finish the match, playfully calling herself the "#nastynelsonqueen". The incident has fueled debate within the pickleball community regarding strategy and sportsmanship.