Chennai Stays Unbeaten as IPBL Ignites; MLP Adds AI Line Calling
Hello, hello pickleballers!
A slightly later World Pickleball Report today as it is all hands to the pump getting the December magazine ready for tomorrow's launch.
But never fear as we are here with all the latest pickleball news from the last 48 hours.
The 2025 Indian Pickleball League: Unbeaten Chennai Secures Playoff Spot Amidst High-Stakes Rivalries and Court Adaptation
New Delhi, India – The inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL 2025), hosted at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, delivered explosive action across four days, highlighted by Chennai Super Warriors' flawless march into the playoffs. Chennai remains the only unbeaten team after securing four consecutive tie victories, culminating in a 4–2 win over Bengaluru Blasters on Day 4 to clinch the first playoff berth. Their success is powered largely by MVP performances from Roos Van Reek, who earned Female Player of the Tie multiple times, and Harsh Mehta. Van Reek, known for her composure and consistency, defeated Australia’s top-ranked player Emilia Schmidt 15–12 on Day 3 and dominated Bengaluru's Pei Chuan Kao 15–5 on Day 4.
Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Royals climbed to second place, driven by a spectacular 4–2 comeback win against Mumbai Smashers on Day 4 after initially trailing 0–2. Hyderabad captain Megan Fudge proved decisive, crushing Allison Harris 15–5 in women’s singles and partnering Snehal Patil for a 15–10 doubles victory to level the score, before Hyderabad sealed the win 21–17 in the Grand Rally.
The league has showcased intense rivalries, most notably between Vietnamese stars, Mumbai’s Quang Duong and Bengaluru’s Phuc Huynh. Duong, making his comeback to professional pickleball after a turbulent year, continued his unbeaten run in singles, beating Huynh 15–10. However, Duong admitted his doubles chemistry with Ammol Ramchandani is a struggle due to limited practice time.
Bengaluru Blasters secured their crucial first win over Mumbai on Day 3, clinched dramatically by a 21–20 Grand Rally win thanks to young Indian talent Arjun Singh (the league's youngest player at 15) and Rakshikha Ravi.
The league’s courts themselves have become a talking point, described by players like Ryler DeHeart as the "best centre court I have ever seen". The fast, low-bouncing surface requires players to adapt quickly by utilising deeper bends and sharper slices, contrasting with traditional outdoor conditions. The indoor setting ensures consistent ball bounce and pressure, which players like Mitchell Hargreaves and Arjun/Aditya Singh favour for shot control. Following Day 3, Chennai leads with 14 points, followed by Hyderabad (11 points), Lucknow (9 points), and Gurgaon and Bengaluru (tied at 7 points).
PPA Challenger Series Elevates Four Stops, Boosting Professional Development Pathway
Punta Gorda, USA – The PPA Challenger Series announced a significant upgrade to its 2026 schedule this week, designating four stops to receive elevated PPA points. The tournaments in Punta Gorda, Newport Beach, Seattle, and Grand Rapids will now award 250 PPA points, substantially increasing their value compared to the standard 125 points offered at other series stops.
This move, confirmed by the PPA Challenger Series on Wednesday, is a strategic investment aimed at attracting both aspiring and current professional players. Vice President of the PPA Challenger Series, Tanner Groff, stated that these four elevated events exemplify the growth and commitment to the future stars of professional pickleball.
The Challenger Series serves as the key developmental pipeline to the Carvana PPA Tour, offering amateur and aspiring professional players a pathway to chase their dreams. With more than 15 tour stops spanning the country in 2026, the elevation of points at these select locations underscores the increasing competitive stakes within the series. The decision highlights the organisers' commitment to making these specific tournaments "can't miss events" for the world's best up-and-coming players.
MLP Partners with Owl AI to Introduce Automatic Line Calling in 2026 Season
New York, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) is stepping into the technological future after announcing a partnership with Owl AI to implement automatic line calling during the 2026 professional season. The collaboration, revealed on Thursday, is designed to enhance match integrity and accelerate the pace of play by streamlining line calls and video challenges.
MLP is joining Owl AI's Trailblazer Program, which grants the league access to advanced AI-based technology. This system will work alongside match referees to deliver highly accurate rulings and drastically reduce the turnaround time for challenges.
MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani emphasised that aligning with innovative companies like Owl AI is paramount for improving the reliability of the challenge system and the overall quality of the on-court production. Owl AI CEO Josh Gwyther affirmed that their platform is engineered for the speed and precision demanded by a fast-paced sport like pickleball. He added that the partnership promises a more transparent and engaging viewing experience for millions of fans.
Before debuting in the MLP regular season in late May 2026, the Owl AI technology will first be showcased on the PPA Tour at the Greater Zion Cup in March.
World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters Boosts Pickleball’s Profile During Rome Vacation
Rome, Italy – Pickleball World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and her mother, Leigh Waters, generated significant excitement within the nascent Italian pickleball community after visiting Rome Pickleball’s indoor facility for a practice session during their vacation.
Roma Pickleball owner Marco Maurizi initially thought the request to book court time was a trick, only preparing himself "psychologically" when Leigh Waters confirmed her identity as Anna Leigh's mother. Maurizi later noted that the visit was an "incredible honour" for the facility and the city.
The presence of the reigning PPA Tour champion generated notable buzz, with Maurizi reporting that the club's Instagram account was inundated with messages from local supporters who view Anna Leigh as a role model and an “idol”.
In Italy, pickleball is acknowledged as a brand-new sport with very few, albeit passionate, players. Maurizi expressed hope that the high-profile visit would help create a spark and contribute significantly to the growth of the pickleball movement across the country. Anna Leigh Waters herself praised the sport’s development in Italy and expressed excitement about potentially returning soon.
Pickleball Tour Italia Relaunches as 'PickleballSpot' with Global Vision and New Academy
Siena, Italy – Pickleball Tour Italia has undergone a significant transformation, rebranding as PickleballSpot, positioning itself as a new international platform dedicated to fostering the sport's community and culture globally.
The name change reflects a strategic move necessary to expand the focus beyond Italy's national borders. PickleballSpot aims to cover news, stories, events, and developments from Europe and worldwide, offering constant, updated information. Crucially, the new website content will also be available in English to reach a broader audience.
Beyond digital content and information, the evolution has led to the formation of a physical venue: Pickleball Colle. Located in Tuscany, this new structure features four indoor courts and an academy focused on developing players of all ages. Pickleball Colle is already boasting dozens of players in its academy and is set to host the Siena International Pickleball 2025, scheduled for December 5 to 8.
The overarching mission of PickleballSpot remains to document, inform, and value pickleball, contributing to the sport's continued evolution with increased energy and presence.
MLP 2026 Draft Outlook: Top Players Face Brutal Cuts as Teams Seek Roster Upgrades
New York, USA – As anticipation builds for the 2026 Major League Pickleball (MLP) Draft, early analysis reveals several top teams are facing "brutal choices" as league rules require them to drop high-calibre players, creating unprecedented draft opportunities.
The most difficult decisions belong to teams like Dallas, who must cut one player from their elite trio: JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, or Tyra Hurricane Black. MLP success is often attributed to the quality of the women, making Jorja and Tyra virtually irreplaceable. Therefore, analysts predict that JW Johnson, an arguably top-10 player, will be the likely casualty. Similarly, the St. Louis Shock will likely drop top-5 male player Gabe Tardio to protect Hayden Patriquin and Anna Bright, guaranteeing a major talent becomes available in the auction.
These forced drops mean that MLP’s auction will feature star players like Tardio, Johnson, and potentially Dylan Frazier (Orlando) and Tyler Loong (Utah), creating a high-stakes environment where teams can rapidly move from non-contenders to playoff threats by acquiring a top-10 talent. MLP analyst Jim Kloss highlights that teams like Dallas and St. Louis are expected to "spend very big" to try and reclaim their dropped top players, while other franchises like Palm Beach may spend aggressively to jumpstart their season.
Spanish Pickleball Crowned: Pep Canyadell Secures Pickle Pro Tour #1 Men's Singles Ranking
Lérida, Spain – Pep Canyadell has officially claimed the coveted No. 1 ranking in the men’s singles category for the inaugural season of the Pickle Pro Tour (PPT). The Catalan player was hailed as the most consistent athlete of 2025 in the singles division.
Canyadell secured the top spot from the first tournament of the season, winning gold at the Málaga Spanish Open, Alcobendas, and Barcelona, alongside a silver medal in Móstoles.
However, Canyadell’s hold on the lead was fiercely contested by Ignasi de Rueda, who finished the season just 50 points shy of the top rank. De Rueda mounted a strong late challenge, winning consecutive gold medals at the Mijas Open and the Gran Canaria Open. De Rueda’s title chase was ultimately hindered by an early-season absence from the Málaga tournament and a quarterfinal exit in Alcobendas.
Rounding out the top three is Sergi Ventura, whose regularity earned him the third spot on the podium. Ventura distinguished himself by being the only player among the top three to compete in the men’s singles category in every single PPT tournament during the season.
Tennis Australia and National Pickleball League Forge Partnership to Accelerate Sport’s Growth Down Under
Melbourne, Australia – In a significant move to bolster the accessibility and popularity of pickleball, Tennis Australia (TA) and the National Pickleball League (NPL) announced a formal partnership on Thursday. The collaboration aims to create more playing opportunities across Australia, where pickleball is rapidly emerging as one of the country's fastest-growing sports.
The joint initiative will focus on supporting local clubs, coaches, and communities to expand access to both social and competitive play. Key areas of focus include venue integration, innovative events, and inclusive participation programs.
Callum Beale, Head of Game Expansion at Tennis Australia, described the partnership as a "natural fit," facilitating greater engagement in both tennis and pickleball. NPL CEO Ron Shell emphasised that the unified effort is critical for incorporating pickleball into the broader racquet ecosystem, supporting the NPL's ambitious goal of reaching 1 million players in Australia in the future. The NPL will contribute its expertise across various projects while continuing to promote its NPL Pro Tour and nationwide events.
World Pickleball League Taps Komerz India to Scale Sponsorships Ahead of Mumbai Season 2
Mumbai, India – India’s rapidly expanding pickleball scene secured a major commercial endorsement as the World Pickleball League (WPBL) appointed Komerz India as its exclusive sales and sponsorship agency. This strategic partnership aims to scale commercial rights and sponsorships ahead of WPBL Season 2, which is scheduled for January 2026 at the Jio World Garden in Mumbai.
Komerz India, the Indian arm of UK-based Komerz Global, will manage the league’s central sponsorship inventory. According to WPBL Founder and CEO Gaurav Natekar, the appointment provides dedicated expertise necessary to scale partnerships following the enormous success of Season 1.
Pickleball has transitioned from a niche sport to a mainstream phenomenon in India, attracting celebrity-backed franchises owned by figures like Rishabh Pant, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and filmmakers Atlee and Priya Atlee. The league offers brands diverse engagement opportunities, including flagship exposure during the Mumbai Season 2 event, scalable year-round visibility through the WPBL On Tour (which involves over 57 grassroots events nationwide), and hyperlocal activations through city-level franchise integrations. The mandate underscores the WPBL's commitment to presenting pickleball as a major sports and lifestyle property in India.
APP Next Generation Stars Shine Bright at 2025 USAP Nationals
San Diego, USA – The future of professional pickleball was on full display at the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships, as two prominent APP Next athletes delivered standout performances in men’s singles.
Jae Centonze, 19, navigated the deep field of the men’s pro singles division. Seeded No. 23, Centonze secured victories over the No. 10 seed Will Sobek (11-6, 11-6) and multi-time gold medalist Richard Livornese, Jr. (11-7, 11-5) to reach the quarterfinals. His impressive run ended only after a hard-fought loss to the eventual champion, Patrick Kawka.
Thirteen-year-old MJ Greiner also claimed major success, capturing the gold medal in the 5.0 age 19+ men’s singles division. Seeded No. 2, Greiner dominated his path to the final without dropping a single game, ultimately defeating California’s Dylan Galarza (11-8, 11-3) to secure the gold.
APP Founder Ken Herrmann praised both athletes, noting that Centonze showed he could compete with the elite players, while Greiner is rapidly progressing toward becoming a major star on the APP Tour. Both Centonze and Greiner are regular competitors on the APP Next series, designed for the next generation of pro players.
Hangzhou Open Mixed Doubles Deliver Massive Comeback as Wei/Garnett Reach Semifinals
Hangzhou, China – The PPA Tour Asia’s Hangzhou Open saw electrifying main draw action on Wednesday, featuring significant upsets and dramatic comebacks.
The most thrilling match of the day came in the mixed doubles draw, where the No. 3 seeded partnership of Ting Chieh “Jamie” Wei and Connor Garnett orchestrated a stunning turnaround against Jamie Haas and Tama Shimabukuro. After dropping the first game 5-11, Wei/Garnett rallied back, dominating the second game 11-1. In the decisive third game, they faced a severe deficit, trailing 1-7, but showcased resilience by closing the match on a 9-2 run to secure an 11-9 victory and advance to the semifinals.
The win provided a crucial boost for Garnett, who had earlier faced quarterfinal defeats in both men’s singles and men’s doubles (with Blaine Hovenier). Garnett’s singles loss came against Hong kit “Jack” Wong, considered one of Asia’s top singles competitors.
In another mixed doubles thriller, Nok Yiu Tang and Eunggwon Kim secured a narrow 11-9, 4-11, 14-12 victory over No. 4 seeds Yufei Long and Blaine Hovenier. Tang/Kim showed immense composure by saving four match points in the tight third game to set up a semifinal clash against the No. 2 seeds, Chao Yi (Zoey) Wang and Armaan Bhatia. Wei/Garnett are slated to face top seeds Alix Truong and Federico Staksrud next.
Guam's Annie Zhao Sweeps Three Gold Medals at Saipan Cancer Fundraiser Tournament
Garapan, Saipan – Seven athletes from Guam showcased their prowess at the Smash Cancer Paddle for the Battle Tournament 2025 fundraiser, held from November 14 to 23, winning a total of seven medals. The event, organised by Team Boogie “Stayin’ Alive,” successfully raised $6,192.51 for the Commonwealth Cancer Association, drawing 136 competitors.
Guam’s star performer was Annie Zhao, who secured an impressive triple gold, winning women’s doubles 4.0, mixed doubles 4.0, and women’s singles 3.0-3.5. Zhao, thrilled to achieve her goal and bring glory to Guam, credited intensified practice and strength training after a prior singles loss to teammate Jane Quitano.
In the women's doubles final, Zhao and Jane Quitano achieved a remarkable comeback, shifting strategies and winning after trailing 3-11 and facing seven match points in the second set. Jane Quitano confessed she thought the match was "done" before their momentum shift.
The Guam contingent also saw success from Mary Ma and Cathleen Moore-Lynn, who earned the first medal for Guam with a silver in the women’s doubles 3.0 division, despite being "demolished" by younger, high-energy teenage opponents in the final. Furthermore, Elwin Quitano, competing in his first singles tournament, earned a bronze medal in the men’s singles 3.0 division after overcoming pressure from a hostile hometown crowd and a younger opponent.
Parenteau and Rohrabacher Cement Partnership Following Waters/Bright Split
Rancho Mirage, USA – Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher have officially confirmed their full-time women’s doubles partnership for the upcoming 2026 pickleball season. The announcement, made via Instagram on Tuesday, solidifies a pairing that emerged unexpectedly earlier in 2025.
The duo began playing together immediately after their previous partners, Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright, ended their respective partnerships to form a new tandem. Despite the sudden change, Parenteau (31) and Rohrabacher (28) demonstrated immediate synergy, reaching the finals of two major events.
They claimed silver medals at both the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships and the Select Medical Orange County Cup in May and June, respectively. In a recurring narrative, they fell short in both finals to the newly formed team of Waters and Bright. Parenteau and Rohrabacher are scheduled to debut their full-time partnership in January 2026 at the PPA Masters powered by Invited, held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA.
UPA-A Declares War on Counterfeit Paddles, Calls for Unified Industry Defence
New York, USA – The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A), the governing body for U.S. professional pickleball, is escalating its efforts against counterfeit paddles, calling the pervasive issue an "existential threat" to the sport and the legitimate paddle manufacturing industry.
In an urgent email sent to sanctioned paddle manufacturers, UPA-A President Jason Aspes emphasised that the problem threatens brand integrity and player safety. Counterfeit versions of popular paddles from brands like Selkirk, JOOLA, and CRBN are flooding secondary markets like Temu and Alibaba, often featuring prices "too good to be true". One brand revealed it has manually identified and reported nearly 400 counterfeit companies on Temu and Alibaba this year alone.
The UPA-A recognizes that this is currently a costly game of "regulatory Whac-A-Mole" for individual brands. To combat this, the UPA-A is advocating for a unified, open-sourced approach. They plan to compile a publicly shared document, “Best Practices for Combating Counterfeit Paddles,” gathering successful strategies—including authentication and digital verification—from manufacturers. Aspes stressed the goal is to create a consolidated and proactive framework to safeguard products and collectively protect the integrity of pickleball.
Consumers are advised that the best way to ensure authenticity is to purchase directly from the brand’s website or authorised dealers, as buying from secondary markets risks receiving "shoddily made knockoff[s]".