Good morning, pickleballers!
Today, we will launch the February issue of World Pickleball Magazine – that is a promise.
But before we do that, check out today’s pickleball news.
Island Phenom: 18-Year-Old Kiora Kunimoto Eyes Major League Pickleball Draft After Breakout Season
Big Island, USA – The landscape of professional pickleball is witnessing a youth movement, and 18-year-old Kiora Kunimoto is quickly becoming its latest headline act. Fresh off a dominant performance at the PPA Challenger Series in Raleigh, where she secured two gold medals and a silver, the Hawaii native is proving she can compete with the sport’s established elite.
Kunimoto’s rapid ascent is rooted in a stellar tennis background; she captured the 2025 Hawaii state high school singles championship before pivoting fully to pickleball after graduation. Despite offers to play collegiate tennis, Kunimoto chose to ride the wave of America’s fastest-growing sport. “I started drilling and training more seriously in pickleball [last September], and that’s how I started levelling up,” she explained.
Her dedication is paying dividends. At the recent Pickleball Central Indoor National Championships, Kunimoto stunned spectators by defeating established pros Brooke Buckner and Zoey Wang. She attributes her evolution to gruelling daily sessions with her father, Randy, on the Big Island. Due to a shortage of local female sparring partners, she focuses heavily on drilling her soft game, particularly dinks and resets.
While she admits the transition to pro-level play was initially “overwhelming,” the PPA Challenger Series provided the crucial match volume needed to adapt to different playing styles. Now, Kunimoto has a singular focus for 2026: The Major League Pickleball (MLP) Draft. “I really want to evolve my doubles game and get better results in singles, but playing in MLP is my biggest goal,” she stated. As the 2026 season unfolds, scouts and fans alike will be watching to see if this island prodigy can secure her spot in the major leagues.
Playoff Picture Clarifies in World Pickleball League as Chennai Dominates and Bengaluru Survives Thriller
Mumbai, India – Intensity reached a fever pitch on Matchday 9 of the World Pickleball League (WPL) on February 4, 2026, as the race for the playoffs tightened. In a day of contrasting fortunes, the Chennai Super Champs cemented their dominance while the Bengaluru Jawans fought tooth and nail to stay in contention.
The marquee matchup of the day saw the Bengaluru Jawans edge out the Rajasthan Titans in a 3–2 nail-biter that was ultimately decided by a tie-breaker. Katerina Stewart was the undeniable hero for Bengaluru, earning “Player of the Tie” honours for her commanding performance. Stewart anchored her team by winning the Women’s Singles 16–09 against Lorena Duknic and teaming up with Brooke Revuelta for a 13–07 victory in Women’s Doubles. The drama peaked in the tie-breaker, where Stewart and Mauro Garcia held their nerve to defeat Rajasthan’s pair 10–07, securing vital points for the Jawans.
In the day’s second fixture, the league-leading Chennai Super Champs showcased why they are the team to beat, dismantling the Hyderabad Super Stars 4–1. Ly Hoang Nam dazzled on the court, earning “Player of the Tie” after a crushing 20–10 victory in Men’s Singles and a Mixed Doubles win alongside Carlota Trevino. The victory solidified Chennai’s position at the top of the table with 55 points, ensuring their qualification for the next round alongside the Dilli Dillwale.
Looking ahead to Matchday 10 on February 5, the pressure shifts to the lower-ranked squads. The Hyderabad Super Stars will look to bounce back against the buoyant Bengaluru Jawans, while Pune United faces Mumbai Pickle Power in a must-watch clash for broadcast viewers on Sony LIV and Eurosport.