India’s Double Gold, $1M Slam Showdown, DUPR Data, English Record
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The 2025 Pickleball World Cup: India Strikes Double Gold as Global Competition Intensifies
Fort Lauderdale, USA – The 2025 Pickleball World Cup, held at The Fort in Florida from October 27 to November 2, 2025, showcased the sport's exponential global expansion, featuring more than 60 nations competing on the global stage. India made a historic entry, securing two gold medals in the singles categories.
Vijay Chhabria secured India's first-ever gold medal at the World Cup, triumphing in the 35+ Men’s Singles (3.5 rating). Competing amidst "humid winds", Chhabria delivered a masterful performance in the final against John Singleton of Bermuda, prevailing comfortably 21-8. He credited his victory to patience, smart aggression, and minimizing unforced errors, noting that the gold was a moment he would "carry for the rest of [his] life". This victory marks India’s arrival on the global pickleball scene, following the official recognition of the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) by the Government of India.
India clinched its second gold when former tennis professional Nitten Kirrtane won the 50+ Men’s Singles (5.0) category. Kirrtane, 51, successfully transitioned to pickleball over the past four years, proving that "greatness knows no age".
Meanwhile, Team Bermuda, the reigning Caribbean champions, entered the tournament with a 17-player contingent, led by captain Gavin Manders. Manders, Bermuda's most successful all-time Island Games athlete, praised pickleball for extending his competitive career after a pectoral muscle tear in 2023, noting the sport's lower velocity requirements compared to tennis. Bermuda was drawn into a tough group alongside Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Bosnia.
Team Australia also arrived ready to compete against 70 elite teams. The Australian Open team, captained by Sarah Burr, was placed in Pool G, facing Slovakia, India, and Costa Rica. Both the Open and Senior teams are sponsored by JCP Growth.
Agassi and Blake Challenge Waters and Bouchard in $1M Pickleball Slam 4 Showdown
United States – Former tennis greats Andre Agassi and James Blake are set to face off against the world’s best female pickleball players, Anne Leigh Waters and Eugenie Bouchard, in the fourth edition of the Pickleball Slam. This "battle of sports and sexes" will take place in April 2026 and boasts a substantial $1 million prize.
Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, will partner with James Blake, a former world No. 4. They will compete against Waters, who holds nearly 150 titles in the sport, and Bouchard, a former Wimbledon tennis finalist who has since become a professional pickleball player.
The contest will be decided over three matches: two singles and one doubles. The singles matches—featuring Bouchard against Agassi, and Waters against Blake—are worth one point each, while the male vs. female doubles match, featuring Agassi/Blake against Waters/Bouchard, is worth two points.
Agassi and Waters have played together previously, with Agassi claiming victory in all three prior Pickleball Slams. However, Waters, who is only 18 years old, is eager for the rivalry, stating she and Bouchard are "ready to prove [critics] wrong" that top women cannot beat top men in racket sports. Waters added that the male duo is "about to learn how hard it really is to master the sport we play for a living".
Pickleball, invented in the United States, is a racket sport similar to tennis but uses a plastic ball and smooth-faced paddles. It features key differences, notably a non-volley zone where players cannot strike the ball until it bounces, and all serves must be underhand.
Bollywood Director Aryan Khan Trades Camera for Paddle Following Netflix Success
Mumbai, India – Aryan Khan, the debutant director and son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was recently captured on a viral paparazzi video enjoying a pickleball session, taking a necessary break from his busy professional life. The video showed the star kid looking "fit and focused" while enjoying the game.
This playtime follows the successful premiere of his directorial debut, the Netflix series The Bads of Bollywood, which premiered on September 18. The series, which revolves around a young man attempting to succeed in the glamorous yet challenging film industry, has continued to draw significant attention.
The show features an ensemble cast, including Lakshya Lalwani and Mona Singh, and boasts high-profile cameo appearances from Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Karan Johar.
The success of The Bads of Bollywood has already propelled discussions for a potential second season. Rajat Bedi, who plays Jaraj Saxena in the popular series, has confirmed that the next installment is currently in development. The series has also garnered positive critical feedback, including rave reviews from politician Shashi Tharoor.
DUPR Data Crowns Malaysia and Vietnam as Asia’s Pickleball Market Leaders
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Pickleball is experiencing unprecedented growth across Asia, with dynamic markets such as India, Vietnam, and the Philippines contributing to the surge. However, DUPR statistics reveal that Malaysia and Vietnam are decisively leading Asia’s pickleball expansion.
Malaysia is rapidly emerging as a pickleball epicentre. Over the last 90 days, the country has witnessed a remarkable +59% player growth, and projections for 2025 anticipate an astonishing +410% increase in active DUPR players. Local organizations, including Franklin Pickleball Malaysia, are instrumental in spreading the game nationwide, hosting events that range from beginner sessions to national-level competitions. Structured leagues and DUPR-rated events are proliferating rapidly in major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, fostering a new era of competitive play. Malaysia is also solidifying its position as a destination for elite competition, hosting high-profile events like the PPA Tour Asia’s Panas Malaysia Cup 2025.
Vietnam’s growth mirrors this inspiring story. The country recorded a +30% increase in DUPR players over the last 90 days, with 2025 growth projected at +184%. Vietnam's community spirit and athletic energy are driving a culture that embraces DUPR for measuring progress and connecting with players globally. Furthermore, Vietnam hosted the historic MB Vietnam Cup 2025, a PPA Tour Asia event whose Championship Saturday drew over 8,000 cheering fans, setting a Guinness World Record for pickleball attendance and establishing the nation as a high-profile hub.
Edward Jones MLP Cup Kicks Off in Dallas: $50,000 and Momentum on the Line
Dallas, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) is returning to action with the Edward Jones MLP Cup, running over Halloween weekend, October 31 through November 2, at the Brook Haven Country Club. The event serves as the kickoff for the Genius Bank Pickleball World Championships.
The tournament will revert to MLP's original format, featuring pool play leading into a single-elimination bracket. The Premier Level fields 17 teams, split into four pools, with only the top finisher in each pool advancing to the semifinals.
Key battles are set for the Premier Level. Pool 1 features the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, the top seed based on regular-season results, taking on the defending MLP champions, the Columbus Sliders. Pool 2 will host a grudge match—a rematch of the New York City semifinals—between the New Jersey Fives and the LA Madrops, who were reportedly unhappy with their loss last season. The hometown favorites, the Dallas Flash, will compete in Pool 3 in the highly anticipated "Battle of Texas" against the Texas Ranchers.
In Pool 4, the St. Louis Shock, who suffered a disappointing end to their 2025 season despite being heavily documented contenders, are considered the big favorites. This pool will also provide the first test for the newly promoted Las Vegas Night Owls at the Premier Level. A $50,000 prize is at stake, but the tournament also provides a vital opportunity for teams to build momentum heading into the 2026 season.
The Challenger Level features two pools, including two unique squads: a Junior All-Star team and a Collegiate All-Star team from Utah Tech. The Junior All-Stars include 12-year-old dynamo Elsie Hendershot and Thomas Shimabukuro, a player who has already beaten a Carvana PPA Tour signed professional. Fans can watch the "spooky showcase" live at the club or via Pickleball TV and YouTube TV.
Pickleball Steals the Show at Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Exhibition in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China – Pickleball, described as the "world's fastest-rising sport," took center stage at the Global Sources Sports & Outdoor exhibition, which opened on October 27, 2025, at AsiaWorld-Expo.
The exhibition is highlighting the fast-growing global pickleball industry ecosystem, with numerous booths showcasing specialized equipment. Products on display range from entry-level gear to professional-grade equipment, including high-performance paddles made from advanced materials like carbon fibre, fibreglass, or polymer composites. Exhibitors are emphasizing technical innovations in durability, weight control, and stroke performance, with many offering OEM/ODM customization services to meet the growing procurement demands of the global market.
A major highlight is the indoor pickleball training camp, which features live demonstrations by Hong Kong’s top-ranked pickleball players for 2025. This hands-on experience allows interested buyers to personally evaluate products on the court.
The training camp is integrated into the Pickleball Expo Cup 2025, co-hosted in partnership with Po Leung Kuk. This tournament features an elimination format with corporate and open divisions, offering high-level competitive showcases. The exhibition, which also features products spanning camping gear, fitness equipment, and sportswear under the theme "World Cup Fever, Outdoor Innovation," runs until October 30, 2025.
English Nationals Sees Record Participation with 1,350 Players Descending on Bolton
Bolton, United Kingdom – Pickleball England is preparing to host the fifth English Nationals this weekend at Bolton Arena, anticipating a record number of competitors. With the sport's popularity soaring, a total of 1,350 pickleball players are registered to compete in the four-day, high-level event.
To accommodate the overwhelming demand—registration numbers would have exceeded 2,000 if capacity allowed—organizers made the decision to stage the tournament as a doubles-only competition for the second consecutive year. The event will feature 57 age/skill events, including Mixed Doubles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles, Junior, and Wheelchair doubles, welcoming players ranging in age from eight to 78.
The English Nationals stands as the second largest national pickleball event globally. Karen Mitchell, chair and co-founding director of Pickleball England, noted that the record registration numbers are clearly demonstrative of the sport's rapid, day-by-day growth.
Pickleball, which is a hybrid of badminton, table tennis, and tennis, is easy to learn and fun to play, making it ideal for all ages and abilities. The UK currently boasts an estimated 55,000 active players and over 1,000 places to play. The tournament begins at 8 am each day, seeking to inspire more people in the North West to try the sport.
Injury Forces Finals Cancellation at VTV AO Smith Open; MVP Ngọc Shines in Da Nang
Da Nang, Vietnam – The VTV AO Smith Pickleball Open 2025 in Da Nang concluded on an anti-climactic note after the highly anticipated Men’s Open Doubles Final was canceled due to injury. Quang Duong, who was set to compete alongside his brother Bao Duong, suffered an ankle sprain during the semifinals, making him unfit for the title match. Consequently, rising Vietnamese stars Trương Vinh Hiển and Ðỗ Minh Quân were awarded the championship by default.
Despite the unfortunate ending to the Open Doubles, Championship Sunday delivered other competitive results. Sĩ Bội Ngọc emerged as a standout star of the tournament, winning the Mixed Doubles Open title with partner Nguyễn Văn Phương. Ngọc’s spectacular showing earned her the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP), along with a bonus of VNÐ20 million (approximately $840 USD).
The successful event featured a total prize pool of more than VNÐ1 billion ($38,000). The tournament marked a technological first for Vietnamese pickleball by implementing an Instant Replay System to guarantee accuracy and fairness.
Additional category winners included Khắc Quý and Nguyễn Hạnh (Mixed Doubles 35+), Thúy Hằng and Lê Thủy (Women’s Doubles 35+), Tuệ Ngọc and Minh Ngọc (Women’s Doubles under-35), Hùng Dũng and Ðăng Quang (Men’s Doubles 35+), and Tiến Thịnh and Văn Phúc (Men’s Doubles under-35). The event also hosted a Glow Pickleball Charity Night, during which Miss Universe Việt Nam 2024 runner-up Vũ Thuý Quỳnh purchased Quang Duong’s auctioned paddle for VNÐ56 million.
Pep Canyadell and Claudia Caymel Secure Thrilling Mixed Doubles Title at Barcelona Open
Barcelona, Spain – The Barcelona Open 2025, the fourth stop of the Pickle Pro Tour, concluded with memorable finals that showcased international flair and intense rallies. Highlights focused on the thrilling Mixed Doubles Final, where Pep Canyadell and Claudia Caymel staged an "epic comeback in the second game" to secure an unexpected title against De Rueda and Rodino.
Canyadell's performance, marked by speed and power, earned him the top two spots in the tournament's highlight reel for Mixed Doubles points. The highlights also featured an exquisite angular shot from Álvaro Dóyega.
The event underscored the sport's growing global reach, attracting players from as many as 13 different nationalities to compete, with six different nationalities represented across the finals.
In the Men’s Individual category, the final featured Pep Canyadell and Mauro García, while the Women's Individual finalists were Sabrina Méndez and Raquel Amaro. The Men’s Individual highlights were dominated by Pep, Ignasi, and Mauro, showcasing "frenetic points and impossible angles". The Women's Individual bracket delivered its own "recital of high points" courtesy of Sabrina Méndez and Mireia Recasens. The tournament successfully utilized the scenic Moll de La Marina as its central court location.