Facolos Vietnam Tourney, APP NYC Winners & NJ 5s MLP Triumph
Vietnam Heats Up: Facolos Drops 100 Million VND Prize Pool for Inaugural Pickleball Bash
Hanoi, Vietnam – An exciting new pickleball tournament is set to hit Hanoi with a significant prize pool. Upstart pickleball brand Facolos is organising the Facolos Din, Smash, & Smile Tournament specifically for its club members. The event will be held at the Bo De Pickleball Court Complex. Official play dates are yet to be announced, but registration is currently open until May 28, 2025, having started on May 22. Facolos aims for this grassroots activity to bring players together for a fun experience and to spread the community spirit of pickleball in Vietnam. The tournament boasts a total prize pool of 100 million VND. The champions will take home 15 million VND, the runners-up 7 million VND, and the second runners-up 5 million VND, promising competitive play.
NJ 5s Dominate Texas Ranchers 3-1 in MLP Austin Premier Finale
Austin, USA – The New Jersey 5s ended their MLP Austin schedule on a high note, securing a dominant 3-1 victory over the Texas Ranchers on Monday afternoon, May 26, 2025. The 5s, now with an 8-2 record, successfully rebounded from a tough loss to the Dallas Flash the previous day. Captain Zane Navratil emphasised the need for a "goldfish memory" in a long season. In the Premier Level finale, the 5s took control early. Anna Leigh Waters and Meghan Dizon won Women's Doubles 11-5. Will Howells and Zane Navratil secured Men's Doubles 11-7. In Mixed Doubles, Meghan Dizon and Zane Navratil won their match 11-8, while the Ranchers' E. Tuionetoa and Christian Alshon claimed the other mixed match 11-9 against Waters and Howells. The 3-1 final score cemented the 5s' strong finish to the event.
NYC Crowned: Schenk & Munro Conquer APP Men's Doubles
New York City, USA – The 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open, a key USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, saw Aidan Schenk and Jack Munro claim the men’s pro doubles title on May 24, 2025. The American duo defeated fellow countrymen Thomas Yu and Len Yang in a thrilling three-game final. After dropping the first game 4-11, Schenk and Munro mounted a strong comeback, winning the next two games 11-5 and 11-7 to seal the victory. The match showcased great skill and strategy from both sides, keeping the crowd engaged. This crucial win not only earned Schenk and Munro the championship title but also secured them a valuable Golden Ticket, granting them direct entry into the upcoming USA Pickleball National Championships.
India Rises! Armaan Bhatia Battles to APP NYC Open Men's Singles Title
New York City, USA – India's Armaan Bhatia made a significant impact at the 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open, a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, by winning the men’s pro singles final on May 24, 2025. Bhatia faced American Alexander Crum in the final and emerged victorious in two games. He won the first game 15-10 and clinched the championship in a fiercely contested second game with a score of 27-25. This thrilling win marked an important moment for Bhatia, demonstrating his skill and determination against tough international competition. By winning this Golden Ticket event, Armaan Bhatia has secured his direct entry into the prestigious USA Pickleball National Championships, an opportunity that could significantly boost his career and inspire players back in India.
Domination! Oshiro & Harris Sweep APP NYC Women's Doubles
New York City, USA – American duo Bobbi Oshiro and Allison Harris delivered a dominant performance to win the women’s pro doubles final at the 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open on May 24. In this USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, Oshiro and Harris faced the team of Emily Cederquist (USA) and Yana Newell (Russia). The Americans were in control from the start, winning in straight games. They took the first game decisively with a score of 11-2. While the second game was more competitive, Oshiro and Harris maintained their composure to win 11-9, securing the match and the title. Their strong teamwork and dominant play earned them a sought-after Golden Ticket, guaranteeing their spot in the upcoming USA Pickleball National Championships.
Golden Partnership: Fudge & Munro Conquer APP NYC Mixed Doubles
New York City, USA – The mixed pro doubles final at the 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open saw the American team of Megan Fudge and Jack Munro clinch a hard-fought victory on May 24. Facing fellow Americans Chris Haworth and Amanda Hendry, Fudge and Munro battled through three games in this USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event. They took the first game 11-7, but Haworth and Hendry fought back to win the second 11-8. In the decisive third game, Fudge and Munro held their ground and secured the championship with an 11-8 win. This thrilling victory earned Fudge and Munro a valuable Golden Ticket, granting them direct entry into the upcoming USA Pickleball National Championships and boosting their standing in professional pickleball.
USA's Sofia Sewing Claims APP NYC Singles Gold
New York City, USA – American player Sofia Sewing emerged victorious in the women’s pro singles final at the 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open on May 24. In a competitive all-American final, Sewing defeated Nicole Eugenio in straight, closely contested games. She won the first game 15-12 and sealed the championship with a thrilling 16-14 victory in the second game. Eugenio challenged Sewing throughout the match, but Sewing maintained her composure to finish strong. As a winner of this USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, Sofia Sewing has earned a direct entry into the prestigious USA Pickleball National Championships. This win adds to Sewing's growing reputation and prepares her for tougher competition on the national stage.
Masters Dominate NYC! Senior Stars Capture Multiple Golds at APP Open
New York City, USA – The AARP Masters Pro Divisions (60+) at the 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open showcased the enduring talent and passion of senior pickleball players. The event featured standout performances, with Kristin Hickman and Rob Krizmanich each achieving double gold. Hickman and Krizmanich partnered to win the mixed doubles title. Hickman also won women’s doubles with Diane Wainio, while Krizmanich claimed the men’s doubles gold with Mark Wilder. In singles competition, Sue Johnston won the women’s title, and Dana Treister captured the men’s singles gold. The strong showing from these senior athletes highlighted the growing popularity and high level of competition within the 60+ pickleball community.
Chennai Gears Up for High-Stakes Pro Masters Open
Chennai, India – Pickleball in India is set for a major boost with the upcoming Pro Indian Masters Open, scheduled to take place from June 10th to 15th. Hosted at Miko Pickleball in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, this event is designated as a PWR-200 tournament, attracting top players from across the country. Competitors will vie for valuable ranking points and prizes over six days of singles and doubles matches. Organisers view this tournament as a crucial step in promoting pickleball's growth and popularity throughout India. The event aims to showcase the nation's best talent and inspire more people to take up the sport, potentially leading to further national and international tournaments in the future.
Unstoppable Scorpions Shock NPL with Perfect 4-0 Start, Pocket $5,000
Carson, USA – The Coachella Valley Scorpions have roared out of the gate in the 2025 National Pickleball League season, achieving a perfect 4-0 record during the opening weekend on May 17–18 at Power Play Pickleball in Carson, California. This dominant start earned the Scorpions their first-ever weekend title in the league for players aged 50 and over, along with a $5,000 prize. Led by Scott Burr, who went undefeated in all six of his matches, the team secured wins against the Denver Iconics (7-5), the Seattle Tsunami (7-5), and Boca Raton (8-5). Their final match against Oklahoma City was decided by a +17 point differential after the score was tied. The Scorpions look to continue their momentum at their next tournament on June 28–29 in Denver.