Kyle Yates Joins Vietnam, PPA Asia Unifies Rankings, Global News
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American Icon Heads East: Kyle Yates Named Head Coach of Vietnam’s D-Joy Academy
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – In a landmark move for Asian pickleball, American legend Kyle Yates has officially signed on as the head coach of the D-Joy Academy, signalling a new era of professional development for the sport in Vietnam. Born in 1995 and inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame in 2024, Yates was a dominant force on the global stage from 2014 to 2018. He is now set to relocate to Ho Chi Minh City to oversee the academy’s long-term athletic strategy.
Yates’ appointment is viewed as a significant milestone for Vietnam’s rapidly expanding pickleball movement. His mandate involves designing comprehensive training curricula, developing both athletes and coaches, and establishing a playing style that aligns with international standards. "This strategic direction aims to help D-Joy nurture a new generation of players capable of competing at continental and world-level tournaments," the academy stated.
The facility Yates will call home is among the most advanced in the region. The D-Joy Academy boasts a flexible training-competition-education model anchored by a massive complex of 63 high-quality courts—the largest of its kind in Asia. Beyond the courts, the academy functions as a high-performance training centre complete with academic zones for coaching methodology, residential areas for athletes, and units dedicated to sports therapy and psychology.
While pickleball’s popularity has surged in Vietnam, the sport is still seeking inclusion in major multi-sport events like the SEA Games and Olympics. The arrival of a figure as prominent as Yates is expected to elevate local coaching standards and provide the professional foundation necessary to bridge the gap between Vietnam's enthusiastic player base and the global elite.
One World, One Ranking: PPA Tour Asia Integrates with Global System for 2026
Salt Lake City, USA – The professional pickleball landscape is set to shrink effectively in 2026 as the PPA Tour announces a historic unification of its ranking systems. Beginning next year, the PPA Tour Asia will operate on a unified ranking bracket with the Carvana PPA Tour, creating a seamless global ecosystem for professional players.
Under the new "One ranking. One race to the top" initiative, all points earned in PPA Tour Asia events will feed directly into the global PPA Rankings. This integration connects tournaments across the Asian continent with those in the United States, offering players a singular pathway to the PPA Finals and the coveted World No. 1 spot.
To facilitate this parallel system, PPA Tour Asia events will be restructured into specific point categories ranging from PPA 125 to PPA 2000. These tiers establish direct counterparts to the U.S. tour's structure, ensuring that a victory in Hanoi or Hong Kong carries standardised weight on the global leaderboard.
"Win in Asia, rise in the world," the tour promised in its announcement, highlighting how the unified system allows fans to track a breakout performance in Asia that could launch a player into global contention. The initiative aims to deliver a connected experience where every tournament matters, regardless of geography. With the first PPA Tour Asia tournament of the new season scheduled for March, the countdown to a truly globalised professional tour has officially begun.
Digital Courtship: CourtsApp and DUPR Join Forces to Verify Play Across the U.S.
New York, USA – In a major push to digitise and verify the recreational pickleball experience, CourtsApp has announced a strategic partnership with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating). The collaboration, revealed on December 15, 2025, aims to integrate DUPR’s global rating standard directly into CourtsApp’s AI-powered booking platform, effectively making every match count toward a player's verified progress.
CourtsApp, which currently serves the northeastern United States with plans to expand from Maine to Florida by early 2026, focuses on modernising court marketing and reservations. By embedding DUPR’s system, the platform will allow players to connect their rating accounts, book courts based on real-time availability, and automatically record match results to generate verified rating histories.
"DUPR has become the gold standard for measuring skill in pickleball, and together we’re making that progress visible right where the game happens, on the court," said Daren Hornig, founder and CEO of CourtsApp. The partnership is designed to reduce friction for both players and facility operators. For the 8,000-plus DUPR partner facilities, the integration offers AI-driven marketing tools and the ability to tap into a pool of 1.5 million engaged players seeking verified match opportunities.
DUPR CEO Tito Machado praised the alliance, noting that CourtsApp is building the "digital infrastructure that helps the sport grow". With integration work already underway, the new functionality is expected to launch in an upcoming product release, further solidifying the link between digital booking convenience and competitive integrity.
Double Delight in Mumbai: Bhushan Akut Reigns Supreme at GlobalSpa Picklefest
Mumbai, India – Experience triumphed over youth on Day 2 of the GlobalSpa Picklefest, as veteran player Bhushan Akut secured a stunning double crown at the IPA-sanctioned PWR 400 event. The tournament, held in Mumbai, saw titles decided across various categories, but it was Akut’s clinical performance in the gender-neutral doubles that stole the spotlight.
Akut first teamed up with Ahmed Jaffer to clinch the 50+ gender-neutral doubles title, defeating Nozer Amalsadiwala and Ashok Rohira 15-11 in a competitive final. Not content with a single trophy, Akut returned to the court for the 60+ category. Partnering with Ashok Rohira, he delivered a composed performance to defeat Neeraj Maheshwari and Rajesh Pillai 15-11, securing his second championship of the day.
In the women’s division, the pair of Sindoor Mittal and Shraddha Damani demonstrated exceptional synergy to win the 35+ women’s doubles title. The duo dominated their final against Pooja Pardasani and Karishma Battiwala with a decisive 15-6 victory.
The Pro Mixed Doubles final provided a thrilling contest, with Estephany Tan and Rohin Rajani battling past Divyanshu Kataria and Pearl Amalsadiwala 15-12 to take the title. Meanwhile, in the Intermediate Mixed Doubles, Raunakjay Killinger and Roma Dutia utilised superior placement and reflexes to outmanoeuvre their opponents and claim the championship. The event highlighted the growing depth of talent in Indian pickleball, overseen by the Indian Pickleball Association and the Pickleball World Ranking system.
Youth Movement in North Carolina: Teen Sensation Kiora Kunimoto Dominates PPA Raleigh Challenger
Raleigh, USA – The youth movement in professional pickleball arrived with force at the Raleigh PPA Challenger, the final stop of the 2025 tour. While established pros flocked to North Carolina to compete, it was 17-year-old Kiora Kunimoto who captured the headlines, nearly securing a rare Triple Crown.
Kunimoto’s dominance was the story of the weekend. She captured gold in women's singles and paired with Will MacKinnon to take the gold in mixed doubles. She narrowly missed the perfect weekend, settling for a silver medal in women's doubles alongside partner Ella Yeh. Her performance underscored the PPA Challenger Series' role as a vital pipeline for identifying the sport's next generation of stars.
The event was marked by significant upsets that further highlighted the rising tide of young talent. The top-seeded mixed doubles team of Lauren Stratman and Julian Arnold—established pros with past PPA success—were stunned in the quarterfinals. They fell to the youthful tandem of 17-year-old Mary McGowan and 21-year-old Garrison Eaby in a tight three-game match (10-12, 11-7, 9-11).
Other notable winners included Oscar Serra and Sanil Jagtiani in Men’s Doubles, and Rafael Lenhard, who took home gold in Men’s Singles. As the 2025 season concludes, the Raleigh Challenger served as a stark warning to the tour's veterans: the teenagers are not just coming; they have already arrived.
Tuscan Triumph: British Stars Sweep Siena International Pickleball Open
Siena, Italy – The historic city of Siena became the capital of European pickleball from December 5 to 8, hosting the Siena International Pickleball Open 2025. The event, held at the Sportland and Pickleball Colle complex, attracted 90 players from eight different nations, confirming its status as a premier fixture on the continental calendar.
While the setting was Italian, the podiums were distinctly British. UK stars James Chaudry and Thaddea Lock delivered masterclasses in efficiency, both achieving the coveted "Triple Crown" by winning three gold medals each. The pair combined to win the Open Mixed Doubles, while Chaudry took the Men's Singles and Men's Doubles (with Charles Bowen-Rayner), and Lock secured the Women's Singles and Women's Doubles (with Eleanor Tomkinson).
Despite the British dominance, Italian players showed strong competitiveness. Davide Vendrame and Silvia Mocciola earned silver in the Open Mixed Doubles, while rising star Alessandro Di Giulio proved untouchable in the junior categories. Di Giulio swept the Men's Under-16 Singles and Doubles, cementing his reputation as the best young talent in Italy.
The tournament featured 204 total registrations across various age and skill brackets, supported by sponsors such as Joola and the technological partner Anytimes. Organisers expressed satisfaction with the high technical level and international atmosphere, announcing that the tournament will return to Siena for its next edition from September 17-20, 2026.
Deck the Courts: The Kitchen Unveils Ultimate 2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Pickleball Addicts
New York, USA – With nearly 20 million pickleball players now populating courts across the United States, finding the perfect holiday gift has become a high-stakes sport in itself. To aid shoppers this season, The Kitchen has released its comprehensive 2025 Holiday Pickleball Gift Guide, curating the best gear for players ranging from casual dinkers to tournament pros.
Leading the paddle recommendations is the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV. Praised for its high-density foam construction that enhances dwell time and power, it sits atop the list for advanced players. For those seeking high spin rates, the guide highlights the RPM Friction Pro, designed by pro player James Ignatowich. Budget-conscious shoppers are directed toward the Friday Fever 101, a $99 option offering premium playability without the steep price tag.
Footwear and accessories also feature prominently. The guide endorses DAPS Desi Low shoes, which lab tests suggest offer faster starts and stops than major competitors. For training, the ERNE ball machine and its smaller counterpart, the Dink + Drop Pro, are recommended for turning garages and driveways into drilling zones.
The guide covers stocking stuffers as well, suggesting practical items like UDrippin overgrips and tungsten tape for paddle customisation. With options for every budget and skill level, the 2025 guide ensures that the pickleball obsession continues well into the new year.
Play by the Book: USA Pickleball Releases Official 2026 Rules for Standard and Tournament Play
Phoenix, USA – As part of its ongoing mission to standardise the sport domestically and abroad, USA Pickleball has officially released its 2026 Official Rulebook. The updated document builds upon the 2025 edition, offering refined wording and greater clarity to support the sport's explosive growth in both recreational and competitive environments.
The 2026 Rulebook is structured to address the diverse needs of the pickleball community. Parts I and II are designated as the baseline for all forms of play, covering standard rules applicable to social leagues and casual games. Part III specifically modifies these standards for sanctioned tournaments, ensuring a rigorous framework for events where players earn national or international ratings.
Additionally, the rulebook includes Part IV, which outlines modifications for players with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity remains a core tenet of the sport's governance. The release comes as USA Pickleball continues to work tirelessly to set goals for worldwide recognition, providing a necessary blueprint for fair play as the game matures from a pastime into a global professional sport. The new rules are available for immediate download for players and officials preparing for the upcoming season.