Las Vegas Finals, India Trials & Buffalo Team Annoucement
Good morning, pickleballers - and what a morning for pickleball news it is.
We are absolutely inundated with news today - major tournaments happening all over the world, World Cup teams being announced, and much more.
Before you dive into what's been happening in the last 24 hours, please do take 30 seconds to go and find the World Pickleball Podcast on whatever podcast platform you use. You can find us on Spotify, Apple and all the other major ones, and I promise you it is worth listening to.
Here's the world pickleball news from the last 24 hours.
Waters/Bright Domination Continues as Finals Set at Las Vegas Walgreens Open
Las Vegas, USA – The PPA Tour's Walgreens Open in Las Vegas is setting the stage for thrilling finals, with the women's doubles powerhouse duo Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright continuing their dominant run. Since teaming up earlier this season, Waters and Bright have won all three tournaments they've entered without dropping a single game, establishing themselves as heavy favourites for the remainder of 2025. Their recent performance at the Bristol Open, where they swept opponents with commanding scores like 11-1, 11-0, and 11-0, 11-0, highlights their formidable prowess. While considered nearly unbeatable, strategies to challenge them involve returning to Waters, being first to act, and targeting Bright to disrupt their rhythm and apply pressure.
In other exciting news from the Walgreens Open, the men’s singles final will feature a clash between John Lucian Goins and Hunter Johnson on Championship Sunday. Goins, the No. 11 seed, secured his spot with a remarkable 6-11, 11-3, 11-7 comeback victory over No. 7 seed Jack Sock, staging an 11-1 run in the deciding game. Johnson, the No. 2 seed, advanced to his fifth final of 2025 by defeating No. 3 seed Jaume Martinez Vich 11-5, 11-5, without dropping a single game throughout the tournament. The men’s bronze medal match will see Sock and Martinez Vich face off.
On the women’s singles side, Kate Fahey and Kaitlyn Christian are set to compete for the title. Fahey, the No. 1 seed, overcame Layne Sleeth 11-8, 11-3, praising Sleeth’s exceptional athleticism. Christian broke a five-match losing streak against No. 3 seed Brooke Buckner, winning 11-4, 5-11, 11-3. This will be their third encounter of the 2025 season, with each player holding one win this year, though Fahey leads their all-time series 5-2. Sleeth and Buckner will compete for the women’s bronze medal, with Sleeth aiming for her first PPA Tour medal.
APP Chicago Open Delivers Thrilling Semifinals and Bronze Match, Marquee Network Broadcasts Action
Highland Park, USA – The 2025 APP Chicago Open, held from August 28-31 in Highland Park, Illinois, has been a hub of intense pickleball action, culminating in dramatic semifinal and bronze medal matches. Marquee Sports Network has joined as an official broadcast partner, providing live coverage daily and showcasing the opening gold medal match on Championship Sunday, August 31. This collaboration marks the first-ever pickleball broadcasts on the iconic network, underscoring the sport's growing appeal, with a substantial $100,000 prize pool attracting top professionals.
The men's pro singles quarterfinals on August 28 set a high bar, with Dusty H Boyer, Ronan Camron, Ammar Wazir, and Brandon Lane securing their spots in the semifinals. Boyer dominated Jack Foster with scores of 15-8, 15-0. Camron emerged victorious from a tight three-game battle against Ryler Deheart, taking the decider 16-14. Wazir displayed resilience in his three-game win over Wade Heerboth, securing the final game 16-14. Lane clinched his spot in a hard-fought 16-14 third-game victory against Mariano Yeh.
In the semifinals, held later on August 28, Ronan Camron and Ammar Wazir advanced to the championship match, promising a "Clash of Titans". Camron showcased his resilience by winning a three-game battle against Dusty H Boyer (16-14, 16-14, 15-11). Wazir delivered a commanding performance, cruising to victory over Brandon Lane with dominant scores of 15-5, 15-5.
Earlier in the day, Dusty H Boyer secured the men's pro singles bronze medal on August 28, defeating Brandon Lane in straight but closely contested games, 16-14, 15-13. Boyer's ability to maintain composure during crucial points was highlighted as the key to his podium finish.
Semifinalists Determined at Sansan Fukuoka Open in Japan
Itoshima, Japan – The PPA Tour Asia Sansan Fukuoka Open in Itoshima, Japan, has concluded its quarterfinal rounds on Friday, August 29, 2025, successfully narrowing the field for both men's and women's singles semifinals. The stage is now set for a series of high-stakes matches as players vie for a spot in Championship Sunday.
In the women's singles draw, four formidable players advanced. Yu-chieh Hsieh demonstrated steady control in her quarterfinal match, dominating Nicola Schoeman with an impressive 11-4, 11-4 victory. Ting Chieh Wei faced the day's toughest challenge, ultimately edging out Hsiang Wen Huang in a tense three-game battle, winning 11-2, 7-11, 12-10. Yufei Long also secured her semifinal berth after a hard-fought victory over Danni-elle Townsend, rallying after an initial loss to win 7-11, 11-4, 11-8. Completing the semifinal lineup, Sahra Dennehy breezed past Seina Shima with a convincing 11-0, 11-5 sweep, showcasing a quick start and relentless pressure. These four rising stars will now compete for a coveted spot in the final, eager to claim the Fukuoka Open title.
The men's singles quarterfinals also saw four players book their places in the next round. Kenta Miyoshi displayed resilience, coming back after dropping the first game to defeat Tama S 4-11, 11-4, 11-5, closing out the match with steady shot-making. Phuc Huynh delivered a dominant performance against Lucas Pascoe, winning 11-3, 11-3 through consistent play and sharp finishes. Hong Kit Wong earned his spot with an 11-7, 11-6 victory over Nasa Hatakeyama, maintaining composure during long rallies. The final quarterfinal of the day saw Connor Garnett overpower Aryaan Bhatia 11-4, 11-3 with an aggressive approach, ensuring his place in the final four. Miyoshi, Huynh, Wong, and Garnett each bring strong momentum into the semifinals, promising a highly competitive finish as they chase the championship in Fukuoka.
Dikosavljevic and Van Reek Set for Final Showdown at NSW Pickleball Open
Auburn, Sydney, Australia – The PPA Tour Australia NSW Pickleball Open in Auburn, Sydney, has reached its exciting climax in women's singles, with Andie Dikosavljevic and Roos Van Reek both securing their spots in the championship final. The final, scheduled for Championship Sunday, will crown the 2025 NSW Pickleball Open women’s singles champion.
The quarterfinal rounds on Friday, August 29, 2025, saw four "unstoppable stars" blaze into the semifinals, each winning their matches in straight games. Selina Turulja began the round with a steady performance, defeating Katie Morris 11-4, 11-4 by consistently applying pressure. Andie Dikosavljevic followed suit, overpowering Bernadette Massih 11-4, 11-1 with her aggressive style, leaving little room for a counter. Michaela Haet delivered a dominant display, shutting down Kaitlynn Hart 11-0, 11-3 through strong shot-making and full control. Finally, Roos Van Reek rounded out the semifinalists, defeating Talia Saunders 11-5, 11-3 with balanced and effective play.
The semifinal matches, also held on Friday, August 29, 2025, showcased the tenacity of the finalists. Andie Dikosavljevic outlasted Michaela Haet in a hard-fought opening game, edging her out 13-11, before closing strong with an 11-8 victory in the second game. In the other semifinal, Roos Van Reek maintained control throughout her match against Selina Turulja, earning an 11-8, 11-6 win to book her place in the final. Both Dikosavljevic and Van Reek will now vie for one of the season’s key titles, promising a high-stakes and competitive final showdown.
India To Hold World Cup Trials, More Big Tournaments Unveiled
Chennai, India – India is making significant strides in the global pickleball community, hosting prestigious tournaments and preparing to send its first national team to the World Cup.
The Rise Up Championship-Pickleball By The Bay 2025 is set to be India’s first-ever beachside pickleball tournament, taking place from September 26 to 28 at the scenic VGP Golden Beach Resort in Chennai. Billed as the country's highest-ranked tournament and the first PWR1000 event sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), it offers substantial cash prizes, with category winners receiving Rs 1,50,000. The event will feature men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with 32 entries per category, all played on three indoor courts at the resort's beach lawn. Beyond the competition, the championship promises a festival atmosphere with daily Sundowner Parties, aiming to draw over 25,000 spectators.
Further elevating India's presence, the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) will host selection trials on August 30-31 at the IPA Centre of Excellence in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. These trials will mark the historic selection of India's first-ever national team for a global event: the Pickleball World Cup, scheduled for October 27 to November 2 in Florida, USA. The trials will span Under-16, Open, and 50+ categories, aiming to select an 18-member team, including players, coaches, and managers, to represent the nation.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru will host the Pickleball Now Grand Prix on August 30, 2025, at Go Rally, Whitefield. This "first-of-its-kind lifestyle sporting initiative" by Times Network is designed to merge sport, lifestyle, and networking, engaging high-net-worth individuals, corporates, and young professionals. The event will feature men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles (Intermediate & Open), plus a Mystery Partner category, with a prize pool of Rs 2 Lakhs. Matches will be affiliated with PWR, with player rankings updated on their platform.
Buffalo Blizzards Ignite Pro Pickleball Scene with U.S. Legends League Debut
Buffalo, USA – Buffalo is set to embrace the fast-growing sport of pickleball with the exciting launch of its new professional team, the Buffalo Blizzards, this fall. The Blizzards are poised to make their competitive debut in the inaugural season of the U.S. Legends League, with their first tournament scheduled from September 19 to 21 in Indianapolis.
The Buffalo Blizzards are owned by East Amherst native Cristen “Cris” Kessler, a highly accomplished senior professional pickleball player. Kessler brings a wealth of experience and accolades, having won seven senior pro medals and achieving a career-high ranking of No. 14 on the Association of Pickleball Players Tour. She expressed a clear vision for the team and the sport's local impact, stating, “Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America, and Buffalo deserves to be part of the excitement. Our goal is to grow the sport locally, build community, and show that Buffalo can compete nationally”.
The team's roster features 14 players—seven women and seven men. Three talented individuals hail directly from Western New York: Cristen Kessler herself from East Amherst, Cheryl O’Connell from Amherst, and Amy Porter from Eden. The diverse roster also includes players from across the country, such as Electra Ariail (South Carolina), Kevin Casey (North Carolina), Tony Cohen (California), Kristin Hickman (South Carolina), Heather Jaeger (Georgia), Joek Kabacinski (Wisconsin), Matthew Meyer (Pennsylvania), Kristen Nagrani (Florida), Thomas Reilly (Michigan), Daniel Richards (Minnesota), and Brian Strehle (Pennsylvania).
To foster local engagement and introduce the team to the community, fans will have a special opportunity to meet the Buffalo Blizzards on September 28 at Pickleball Island in Grand Island. This community event will include clinics for all ages, taught by professional players, alongside a meet-and-greet session with the team roster, aiming to further grow the sport in the region.
International Pickleball Heats Up with World Cup Announcements and Brisbane Classic
Brisbane, Australia – The international pickleball landscape is buzzing with activity, including major tournament announcements in Australia, national team selections for the World Cup, and community engagement initiatives in Wales.
Brisbane is preparing for the highly anticipated Brisbane Pickleball Classic, set to take over the Queensland Tennis Centre’s Pat Rafter Arena from September 27 to 28. This unique event welcomes players of all skill levels, offering more than $8000 in prize money and the rare chance to rally on the prestigious Pat Rafter Arena. Divisions are structured for Open (16+), Masters (40+, 50+, 60+), and UTR-P skill levels, with participants able to self-select based on their Universal Tennis Rating – Pickleball (UTR-P) or Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR). Callum Beale, Tennis Australia Head of Game Expansion, expressed excitement about showcasing pickleball on "one of the best arenas the sport has seen".
Further afield, Pickleball Australia has proudly announced its inaugural six-player Senior Australian team to compete in the 2025 Pickleball World Cup. This historic event will take place in the USA from October 31 to November 2. The team comprises Martin Clark (QLD), Tek Tea (NSW), Ivan Stride (NSW), Terrie Robson (ACT), Angela Green (TAS), and Naomi Amakawa (NSW), with Mike Newell as Coach. The World Cup, hosted at "The Fort"—a state-of-the-art facility featuring 43 regulation pickleball courts and the world’s first dedicated pickleball stadium—will bring together teams from over 60 countries.
In Europe, Team Wales is hosting a unique workshop in Cardiff on Sunday, August 31, at Cardiff Metropolitan University. This exclusive event offers 32 participants a rare opportunity for skills training, drills, and top-tier coaching directly from the Team Wales squad, who are preparing for next month’s European Pickleball Championships in Rome. The initiative aims to help offset the players' travel and accommodation costs for the championships, while also actively spreading awareness and encouraging more people to get involved in pickleball across Wales.
Elevate Your Game: Insights on Shoes, Lobs, and Hand Speed
Charlotte, USA – As pickleball continues to captivate enthusiasts, players are seeking every advantage, from durable gear to advanced techniques. Recent insights offer valuable guidance on selecting the right footwear, mastering strategic lobs, and developing lightning-fast hands.
Montis Pickleball, founded by brothers Jay and Tyler Glauser, is pioneering a solution to a common player frustration: the rapid wear of court shoes. Recognising pickleball's unique demands for lateral movement, Montis developed their Drop 1.0 shoe with a focus on durability and pickleball-specific support. Through extensive R&D, their customers report an average of 250 hours of court time per pair, a significant improvement over competitors, at an accessible retail price of $109. The shoes feature a heel cup for foot lockdown, a stretch sock liner for lateral support, crash-resistant toe caps, breathable mesh, and an industry-leading 6-month outsole warranty. Montis also offers both regular and wide cuts to ensure optimal fit and performance.
For on-court strategy, mastering the lob is essential, according to PPA tour pro Eric Roddy. He emphasises distinguishing between offensive and defensive lobs based on court position. Offensive lobs, hit from the kitchen, demand deception and precise timing, disguised to look like dinks or speed-ups, and aimed at a weaker opponent’s backhand shoulder. Defensive lobs, used when out of position, should be hit as deep and high as possible to buy time, force opponents into tiring overheads, and ideally be directed to the middle of the court to create confusion.
Finally, to improve reflexes, 19-year-old phenom Hayden Patriquin shares tips for developing fast hands. He advises maintaining a stance with feet hip-distance apart, a slight bend in the knees, and the paddle positioned in front of the body on the backhand side. Patriquin suggests using more wrist than shoulder for power and stresses the importance of always being ready for the next ball. His recommended drills include a reaction drill for rapid backhand volleys at the kitchen line, and a figure-eight drill to develop feel and smooth transitions between forehand and backhand.
Bollywood Stars Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput Dazzle in Fun Pickleball Faceoff
New Delhi, India – Bollywood's beloved couple, Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput, brought a touch of celebrity glamour to the pickleball court, transforming New Delhi's Select Citywalk Mall into a vibrant arena for a friendly faceoff. The event celebrated the grand launch of Athletifreak's first physical store in Asia, drawing an excited crowd who cheered from the sidelines.
Shahid Kapoor sported a casual yet stylish look, donning a blue tee and black track pants, his pickleball paddle ready for action. Mira Rajput captivated the audience in an eye-catching all-pink coordinated athleisure outfit, featuring a pleated skirt, fitted top, and jacket, exuding both athleticism and elegance. Their playful rivalry on the court was a highlight, showcasing their sporty side to an enthusiastic audience.
Mira Rajput shed light on the brand's ethos, emphasising that "Fitness and wellness have been an integral part of our lives". She clarified that Athletifreak embodies "movement and passion," which deeply resonated with both her personal commitment to wellness and Shahid's disciplined approach to his work. The decision to introduce quality apparel to Indian consumers, making it readily available domestically instead of requiring international travel, underscores Athletifreak's strategic vision to compete in the Indian market by focusing on delivering "the right thing" to its customers. The star-studded event not only marked a significant brand launch but also highlighted the growing popularity of pickleball, even among high-profile personalities in the entertainment industry.