Harold Maness at 98, Wisconsin Challenger, Nagaland Open
Good morning, pickleballers!
The new week is already gathering pace, and we have lots of pickleball news for you.
As ever, if you want to listen to the Deep Dive, you can below.
Pickleball Legend Harold Maness: A Life of Unending Adventure at 98
Webster Groves, Missouri, USA – At 98 years old, Harold Maness of Webster Groves, Missouri, continues to defy expectations, proving that age is truly just a number. A World War II veteran and celebrated pickleball enthusiast, Maness has cultivated a rich life filled with family, sports, and daring adventures.
Maness discovered pickleball in 2012 when the sport arrived in St. Louis, quickly shifting his focus from tennis and golf to embrace its relaxed and social atmosphere. He became affectionately known as “The Pickleball Legend” in local circles, a title earned more for his remarkable age than his skill, though he noted, “I was pretty good for my age”. His passion was undeniable, leading him to play at local gyms sometimes twice a day, a commitment he described as “an addictive passion”. His competitive spirit shone through two years ago when he secured two gold medals at the Franklin County Silver Games, triumphing in Men’s Doubles with a 79-year-old partner and Mixed Doubles with an 84-year-old woman. He even received an invitation to the 2020 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Florida, which was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic.
Although a fall during play ended his time on the court at 97, Maness remains connected to the community he built, regularly visiting friends from his playing years. Beyond pickleball, his life is a testament to continuous learning and adventure. He took up upholstery in his sixties, painting in his nineties, and began writing over 100 pages of personal stories during the pandemic. In 2024, he embarked on a 12-day safari in Africa with his son, Mark. Perhaps most famously, inspired by former President George H.W. Bush, Maness went skydiving for the first time at age 92, embracing the "crazy" comments as a compliment. Kristina Wille, director of community enrichment at EverTrue Laclede Groves, aptly described him as a “Super Ager”, highlighting his willingness to take on challenges many would deem impossible.
Wisconsin PPA Challenger: Amateurs to Compete Alongside Pros This July
Lake Hallie, Wisconsin, USA – Pickleball enthusiasts are gearing up for the 2025 Wisconsin PPA Challenger, set to take place from July 24 to July 27 at Lake Hallie Pickleball at Gower Park in Lake Hallie, Wisconsin. This highly anticipated event offers an exceptional opportunity for amateur players to compete on courts adjacent to the Championship Court, where top rising professionals will battle for points and prizes.
Registration for the tournament is currently open, with a fee of $70 per player, and will close on July 17 at 5:00 PM CST. Amateur divisions, spanning skill levels from 3.0 to 5.0, will feature various match formats depending on team participation. Brackets with 13 or more teams will follow a double-elimination format, while smaller groups will engage in round-robin or pool play, with playoffs adjusted for team counts. All skill brackets will be seeded based on DUPR ratings to ensure fair play. Matches in the Main Draw and Gold/Bronze rounds will be the best of three games to 11, winning by 2, while Consolation matches will be a single game to 15, winning by 2. The official ball for the tournament will be the Vulcan VPro Flight Outdoor.
Professional players will compete in double-elimination brackets, with consolation rounds offering a path to bronze medals. Point distribution will adhere to PPA standards, awarding 125 points for first place. The Markquart Senior Pro Open will also utilise a double-elimination system. Organisers note that match schedules may be shortened in the event of poor weather. For doubles teams, both partners must register within seven days of each other to secure their spot, with those without a partner by the deadline placed on a waitlist. The cancellation deadline is June 26, 2025, with refunds minus a $25 fee only available before this date, unless registration and weather insurance were purchased.
Australian Pickleball Duo Spiridis and Evans Embrace Pro Tour Challenges
Sydney, Australia – Australian professional pickleball players Helena Spiridis and Tom Evans are navigating the challenging waters of the pro tour, embracing the steep learning curve that comes with competing against top American talent. Having signed UPA contracts in early 2025, the duo, who are also in a long-term relationship, have found themselves facing intense competition in the United States.
Spiridis humorously noted the difference in play, stating, “Because not many people play in Australia, we do really well there. Then we come over here to America and we kind of get our butts kicked”. To adapt, Spiridis has been training alongside her New York Hustlers (MLP) teammates, finding immense benefit in the “quality of the ball” and the collective passion for the sport in America. She credits this training with helping her build confidence and learn to “go big and miss,” recognising that strategies effective in Australia require more discipline on the American court.
Evans, too, plays a crucial role in strengthening their game, particularly Spiridis’s. She describes his serves as “deadly” and praises his “great athleticism,” noting his consistent 100% energy and mental toughness as an inspiration. Both Spiridis and Evans come from a junior tennis background, which provided a strong foundation for their quick transition to pickleball. They discovered their potential in 2023, realising they could carve out a career together in the sport. Their journey is uniquely intertwined, as they have lived together since they were 17 and have been virtually inseparable since. For Spiridis, pickleball has been transformative, reigniting her competitive spirit and offering the joy of pursuing this new life alongside her partner.
Pickleball Diplomacy: MCPS Students Bridge Cultures in China, Documentary Premieres
Washington, D.C., USA – A landmark initiative showcasing the power of sport for cultural exchange culminated this past weekend with the premiere of “Pickleball Diplomacy: From Student Athletes to Ambassadors” in Washington, D.C.. The documentary chronicles the memorable 12-day journey of 30 student-athletes from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland, who traveled to China earlier this year for a unique pickleball tour and cultural immersion.
During their visit, the students engaged in friendly athletic competition and deepened their understanding of China’s vibrant communities and enduring cultural traditions, with stops in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing. The exchange is part of a broader five-year initiative aimed at bringing 50,000 U.S. youth to China, leveraging sports, specifically pickleball, as a vital tool for connection and diplomacy.
Dr. Jeffrey Sullivan, MCPS Systemwide Athletics Director, expressed profound gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the opportunity. President Xi himself acknowledged the delegation's successful visit, expressing happiness that pickleball had emerged as a new link for youth interaction between the two countries. He emphasised that the future of China-U.S. relations rests with the younger generation, hoping the students would serve as new ambassadors of friendship. The documentary, now available on the MCPS YouTube Channel, beautifully captures these experiences. In August, the student ambassadors will be formally honoured at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., commemorating their significant contribution to international friendship. MCPS has been a trailblazer in integrating pickleball into education, being the first school district in the U.S. to offer it as a varsity sport, a program piloted in 11 high schools in 2023 and expanded to all 25 in 2024.
Nagaland Makes Sporting History with Inaugural Pickleball Open
Dimapur, India – The state of Nagaland in India officially entered the burgeoning pickleball landscape this past weekend, hosting its first-ever Nagaland Pickleball Open on July 13, 2025. Held at Aiko Greens in Dimapur, the tournament marks a significant milestone for the region, legitimising Nagaland as a key player in India's emerging pickleball scene.
Organised by the Nagaland Pickleball Association in collaboration with the Indian Pickleball Association, the event was a PWR 50-sanctioned tournament that drew 32 teams representing both Nagaland and Assam. Competitors battled it out in two main categories: Men’s Doubles Open and Mixed Doubles. The Men’s Doubles title was claimed by the formidable duo of Megotsolie Khate and Vilasier Khate, while Dilip Mohanty and Abyan Zaffar finished as runners-up. In the Mixed Doubles category, Mohanty partnered with Nazneen Rahman to secure the championship.
Champions Megotsolie Khate and Vilasier Khate were awarded the trophy and a cash prize of ₹15,000, while the Men's Doubles runners-up received ₹10,000 and a trophy. Mixed Doubles winners Mohanty and Rahman also bagged ₹10,000 along with their champions’ trophy. Notably, Dilip Mohanty not only competed but also served as the tournament director, playing a crucial role in ensuring the smooth coordination and high standard of professionalism throughout the event. The Nagaland Pickleball Association extended its gratitude to the Assam Pickleball Association, whose ongoing support has been instrumental in raising Nagaland's pickleball profile.
Prairie Pronghorns Announce Roster Change Ahead of CNPL III Western Split
Burnaby, BC, Canada – The Prairie Pronghorns are making a critical roster adjustment as they prepare for the highly anticipated CNPL III Western Split, scheduled to take place on July 19-20 at IPOP in Burnaby, British Columbia. The team announced today that Mark Gottfried, a recent addition, will be unable to attend the event. In his stead, the Pronghorns have secured the services of Mikael Gaumond, a seasoned CNPL veteran.
Gaumond brings valuable league experience to the Pronghorns, having played last season with the Southwestern Ontario Brewers and even making a trip to the finals. His addition is considered a strategic move, providing the team with a proven performer who understands the demands of competing at the CNPL level. The Pronghorns are looking to leverage Gaumond's familiarity with high-pressure matches and his adaptability as they face a challenging field in Burnaby.
During the CNPL III Western Split, the Pronghorns will go head-to-head with rivals such as the Vancouver Owls, Northern Lights, and Detroit-Windsor Drive. Fans eager to witness Gaumond in action and follow the Pronghorns' pursuit of on-court success can catch all the Western Split action live at IPOP in Burnaby or watch from home on the Game+ Network. This roster change underscores the team's commitment to fielding a competitive squad and adapting to circumstances as they aim to make a strong statement in the upcoming split.
Solarvest Pickleball Cup 2025: Malaysia's First 100% Renewable Energy Tournament Expands
Shah Alam, Malaysia – Malaysia is set to host a groundbreaking event in community sports with the Solarvest Pickleball Cup 2025, which has recently expanded its slots due to overwhelming demand. Launched by Solarvest, one of Malaysia’s leading clean energy providers, this tournament is not only a celebration of pickleball but also a historic commitment to sustainability. Scheduled for August 2-3, 2025, at Picklefy in Shah Alam, it will proudly stand as Malaysia’s first-ever pickleball tournament powered entirely by 100% renewable energy.
The enthusiastic response from players prompted Solarvest to open up new opportunities for participation. An entirely new category, Men’s Singles, has been added to the open division for players with a DUPR rating of 3.8 and above. Additionally, new slots have been created across all categories in the novice division (DUPR 2.5-3.2), including men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The tournament is open to the public and welcomes players from across Southeast Asia, offering substantial prizes including over RM35,000 in cash, professional-grade paddles, and eco-friendly medals crafted by sustainability partner NatureLoop.
Jack Tan, Group Vice President of Global Sales, Assets & Marketing at Solarvest Holdings Berhad, emphasised that the initiative reflects Solarvest’s belief in building vibrant, healthy communities while driving sustainable progress. He noted that the expected turnout of 480 players underscores the community's enthusiasm. By integrating sustainability into a dynamic sport like pickleball, Solarvest aims to inspire meaningful conversations around climate action and encourage more sustainable lifestyles. The power supplied to the tournament is certified by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), serving as a tangible example of how athletic passion and environmental responsibility can unite. Entry fees are RM250 for novice categories and RM300 for intermediate and open divisions.