Indian cricket star plays pickleball with daughter, Rome ready, PPA updates - latest news
Good morning, pickleballers!
No time to stop and chat today, we have a magazine to publish!
So with that in mind, here's Thursday's global pickleball news - pickleball stories from all over the world.
Calgary, Canada – Calgary's pickleball scene is experiencing a significant boost with the grand opening of the new Mega Courts facility in the southeast part of the city. This massive 60,000-square-foot space houses an impressive 13 pickleball courts along with four tennis courts, all under soaring 30-foot ceilings. Notably, the pickleball courts are designed to be larger than the standard regulation size, offering players more room to manoeuvre. Opened in early March, Mega Courts provides more than just playing surfaces; it includes an equipment shop where paddles and balls can be purchased or rented, and a welcoming café and lounge serving espresso, local kombucha, muffins, and pastries. For those looking to improve their game, guided tennis and pickleball classes are available with in-house coaches and trainers. While drop-in court bookings are available for non-members at an hourly rate per person, annual memberships offer perks such as discounted or free court rentals, discounts on gear and programs, and complimentary guest passes. Mega Courts is located at 5160 68 Ave. S.E. and can be contacted at 403-222-2712 or via their website, megacourts.ca.
Rome, Italy – The anticipation is building as registration for the European Pickleball Open Tournament is set to commence next week, on Monday, April 7th. Following the success of the inaugural Team Championship held in Southampton last year, which saw Team England emerge victorious, the second edition of this prestigious event will take place in Rome from Friday, September 19th to Sunday, September 21st. To further include competitive players, an open event has been scheduled for Thursday, September 18th. Organizers from the European Pickleball Federation are expecting high demand for the limited places available, urging interested participants to secure their entries as soon as possible once registration opens. This tournament promises to be a highlight in the European pickleball calendar, offering a platform for players to showcase their skills in the historic city of Rome.
Manila, Philippines – The rapidly growing pickleball community in the Philippines is buzzing with excitement as Filipino-American pickleball sensation Lauren Mercado prepares to visit and share her expertise at SM Active Hub. The 17-year-old former basketball player, who transitioned to pickleball during the pandemic, has quickly risen through the ranks, achieving impressive results in a short span. Her accolades include top 16 finishes in multiple APP Pro events and first-place victories at the 2024 Canada-USA Challenge and the 2023 USA Pickleball Mixed Doubles National Championship. Mercado’s itinerary includes appearances at SM Mall of Asia on April 11th, SM Megamall on April 12th, and SM Southmall, SM City Marikina, SM City Sta. Mesa, and SM City Bicutan on April 13th, 2025. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet her, participate in high-energy clinics, and witness captivating exhibition matches. SM Active Hub members who register through the SM Malls Online app may receive priority access to these events, coveted meet & greet slots, and exclusive Lauren Mercado merchandise.
Cary, USA – The Veolia North Carolina Open is reaching its climax at Cary Tennis Park, with the men's and women's singles semifinal matchups now firmly set after Wednesday's intense action. In the men's draw, No. 1 seed Federico Staksrud will face No. 13 seed Gabe Tardio, while No. 10 seed Roscoe Bellamy will battle No. 17 seed Zane Ford. Ford secured his spot by overcoming No. 5 seed Jaume Martinez Vich in a hard-fought three-game victory. Bellamy also advanced in three games against No. 2 seed Hunter Johnson. On the women's side, No. 5 seed Lea Jansen continues her strong run, advancing to her fourth consecutive semifinal where she will meet No. 6 seed Parris Todd. The other women's semifinal will see No. 2 seed Kate Fahey take on No. 8 seed Salome Devidze. Jansen reached the semifinals after a three-game victory over No. 13 seed Genie Bouchard. The tournament has seen several notable players withdraw from the singles competition, including Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The enthusiasm for pickleball in Malaysia shows no signs of slowing down, with the announcement of three new tournaments catering to the growing community. Pickleball News Asia has highlighted the MIRI Closed Pickleball Mayfest Tournament 2025, the VETRA Pickleball Tournament 2025, and the Felet Open 2025 as upcoming events. These additions to the Malaysian pickleball calendar signify the increasing popularity and organization within the sport in the region. Further details regarding dates, registration, and venues for these tournaments are expected to be released, providing more opportunities for Malaysian pickleball players to compete and engage with the sport. This surge in tournaments underscores the vibrant and expanding pickleball scene in Malaysia.
Poulsbo, USA – A significant milestone for pickleball in Washington state is being marked with the grand opening of a new Pickleball Kingdom facility in Poulsbo, located just a short distance from Bainbridge Island, the birthplace of the sport. The state-of-the-art facility, located at 21800 Market Pl NW, Poulsbo, WA 98370, will celebrate its grand opening this weekend, April 5-6, with food trucks, special events, free play, and tours. This premium indoor facility boasts 12 courts and extended operating hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.. It will offer a wide range of programs, including leagues for all skill levels, daily open play, coaching sessions, group clinics led by certified coaches, and free Pickleball 101 sessions. Additional amenities include beer and wine availability, an on-site pro shop, an elevated mezzanine lounge, and instant video replay on courtside monitors. John Hylton and his sister, Mara, who are the area representatives, will oversee the Poulsbo location in addition to another Pickleball Kingdom facility set to open in Lynnwood, Washington, on April 25th.
London, England – Pickleball England, the governing body for the sport in the country, has reached a significant milestone by welcoming its 12,000th member. This achievement comes shortly after reaching 11,000 members in mid-January, with hopes of reaching 13,000 by May. These impressive numbers represent individuals who actively participate in formal pickleball events such as leagues, tournaments, and curriculum workshops. The total estimated number of people playing pickleball across England, including those in more informal settings, is around 45,000. Pickleball England chair Karen Mitchell announced that the 12,000th member is associated with Swindon Pickleball, recognizing this club for the unique honor. This surge in membership highlights the escalating popularity of pickleball throughout England.
Naples, USA – Pickleball enthusiasts in Naples had a unique opportunity to learn from one of the sport's legends as former world number one Simone Jardim shared her valuable tips and tricks at the USOP National Pickleball Center. Jardim, a beloved figure in Naples who achieved four consecutive U.S. Open women’s singles titles from 2016 to 2019, emphasized the often-underappreciated "soft game" in pickleball. "The hard part is to hit it soft so I always tell them you can drive balls all day long, but working on your soft game is really important," Jardim explained. Justin Romero, the USOP National Pickleball Center’s Executive Director, lauded Jardim as one of the "OGs of pickleball" and a hometown hero, noting her instrumental role in the U.S. Open since its inception in 2016. Jardim will return to Naples to compete in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships from April 26th to May 3rd.
San Diego, USA – Following a record-breaking tournament in Arizona, San Diego is gearing up to host the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships at the Barnes Tennis Centre from November 15th to 23rd. The 17th edition of this prestigious event, considered the pinnacle tournament in the sport, will feature elite-level competition, with only the most skilled players qualifying to participate. USA Pickleball CEO Mike Nealy highlighted the exceptional backdrop of the Barnes Tennis Centre, promising a dynamic atmosphere for both players and spectators. The 2024 National Championships in Mesa, Arizona, attracted over 2,600 athletes from 47 states and 13 countries, generating an estimated $3.6 million in economic impact. This year’s event will also incorporate community initiatives through USA Pickleball Serves, with specific details to be announced.
United States – In a move to uphold the integrity of the sport, the United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) has announced the immediate removal of all Luzz paddles from its approved equipment list. This decision follows the revocation of the brand's provisional approval status due to the submission of inaccurate information regarding its "Cannon" paddle. According to the UPA-A, Luzz misrepresented the "Cannon" as a design variation of its "ZZ" model, when in fact it featured a different construction and performance characteristics, and was marketed as a separate model on the company's website. Jason Aspes, president of the UPA-A, stated that violating UPA-A rules has consequences and emphasized the organization's commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all players and brands. The UPA-A confirmed that no Luzz paddles other than the provisionally approved "ZZ" model had been submitted at the professional level for UPA events.
Mumbai, India – The growing global appeal of pickleball was recently highlighted when Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma was seen enjoying a game with his daughter Samaira and Mumbai Indians teammate Tilak Varma. With his franchise, Mumbai Indians, on a brief break from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Sharma took to the pickleball court, showcasing his reflexes with different strokes. His participation in the sport is seen as another endorsement for pickleball, which has been experiencing rapid growth in India, now boasting over 50,000 active players and attracting investments and sponsorships. Sharma, who recently led India to an ICC Champions Trophy victory, joins a growing list of sportspersons intrigued by the accessibility and minimal training requirements of pickleball.