European Champions Crowned, Global League Drama, Daytona Beach Finals Recap
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We have all the latest world pickleball news for you below.
Alpine Glory: Champions Crowned at Season-Ending RTA European Finals
St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria – The 2025 RTA Pickleball Tour concluded in spectacular fashion amidst the snow-capped peaks of the Austrian Alps, crowning a diverse group of new European champions. The season finale in St. Anton am Arlberg showcased the continent's growing talent pool, with athletes from Sweden, France, Great Britain, Germany, and Hungary claiming top honours.
In the Mixed Doubles division, the dynamic duo of Claudia Caymel and Pep Canyadell took home the gold, solidifying their status as the continent's premier mixed pairing. The Women’s Doubles bracket saw Swedish dominance, as twins Alma and Klara Thell-Lenntorp displayed exceptional chemistry to capture the 2025 European Championship title.
On the men’s side, the partnership of France’s Théo Platel and Great Britain’s Ben Cawston proved unstoppable, securing the Men’s Doubles championship. Meanwhile, in singles action, Hungary’s Balint Bako capped off a stellar year. Entering as the number one seed, Bako lived up to the hype, clinching the Men’s Singles Gold Medal to finish the season on top. In a show of versatility, Bako also secured a Bronze medal in doubles alongside Spanish partner Ignasi de Rueda, ending the match with an incredible baseline tweener that thrilled the crowd.
Germany’s Caroline Nothnagel emerged victorious in the Women’s Singles category, taking gold to round out the list of major winners. The event also saw podium finishes for Thaddea Lock and Maria Costantino, who secured bronze medals, marking a successful end to the 2025 European pickleball calendar.
Kolkata and Bengaluru Surge Ahead on Day 5 of Global Sports Pickleball League
Mumbai, India – The intensity of the Global Sports Pickleball League reached new heights on Day 5 as teams jockeyed for position nearing the business end of the season. In a display of sheer dominance, the Kolkata Kingz delivered a commanding performance against the Nashik Ninjas, executing a 4–0 shutout that highlighted their depth across all formats.
The Kingz swept all four sets in regulation, with Patrick Kawka leading the charge in singles. The team maintained their momentum with clinical victories in women’s, mixed, and men’s doubles, leaving the Ninjas no room to recover. Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Blazers showcased their composure in the Pro League division, securing a vital 3–1 victory over the Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors.
Bengaluru's Emilia Schmidt was instrumental, edging out Ariana Rodriguez 25–23 in a tight singles battle before partnering with Sewing to dominate the women’s doubles 21–10. The Blazers sealed the tie in mixed doubles, though Mumbai managed a consolation win in men’s doubles thanks to Stirling and Motiani.
Elsewhere, the Ahmedabad Olympians fought through a gruelling contest against the Madras Marinas to win 3–2, clinching the match in a nerve-wracking tiebreaker. The Hyderabad Vikings were far more decisive, sweeping the Coimbatore Super Smashers 4–1 behind straight-game wins from Ryler Deheart and the team of Walczak and Policare. In the Challenger League, competition remained fierce as the Hyderabad Vikings edged out the Delhi Snipers 3–2, and the Jaipur Stallions posted a solid 3–1 win over Madras.
Johnson Family Dominance and Singles Redemption Highlight PPA Daytona Beach Open
Daytona Beach, USA – The Florida Dairy Farmers Daytona Beach Open concluded with historic performances, highlighted by a massive medal haul for the Johnson family and a triumphant return to form for singles stars. In a combined display of skill, siblings JW and Jorja Johnson captured multiple gold medals, anchoring a thrilling Championship Sunday.
The siblings teamed up to win the mixed doubles title—their fourth together this year—breezing past Kaitlyn Christian and Andrei Daescu 11-5, 11-1, 11-4. For 19-year-old Jorja Johnson, the victory marked back-to-back mixed doubles titles in Daytona. She wasn't finished, however; partnering with World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters for the first time, Jorja secured the women’s doubles gold without dropping a single game, sweeping Tyra Black and Catherine Parenteau.
JW Johnson matched his sister's dual-gold feat in a men's doubles classic. Partnering with Augie Ge, the pair outlasted Riley Newman and Noe Khlif in a five-game thriller that lasted nearly two and a half hours. Despite blowing a 10-3 lead in the deciding fifth game, Johnson and Ge held their nerve to win 11-8, securing Ge’s first career PPA title.
In singles action, Chris Haworth delivered what commentators called a "sensational" performance, decimating Gabe Joseph 11-5, 11-1 to win the men's crown. On the women's side, Catherine Parenteau completed an emotional comeback. After a challenging year, she defeated Katerina Stewart 11-4, 12-10 to claim her first singles title since 2023. "Finishing strong means a lot to me," Parenteau said, marking a perfect end to the tournament.