LT Open Singles Showdown, Nowitzki Joins Pickleball World, India–JOOLA Deal
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LT Open Showcases Singles Strength in Atlanta with $250,000 Purse
Atlanta, United States – The inaugural LT Open, hosted by Life Time and powered by the PPA, is underway this weekend at Life Time Peachtree Corners, bringing unprecedented focus to professional singles pickleball in the US. The competition features a massive $250,000 prize purse, with $50,000 each designated for the men's and women's champions, and significant payouts continuing down to the Round of 32 winners, who earn $1,000. This singles-only event is set to be a gruelling "survival of the fittest challenge" due to the unique best-of-5 format being used for every match, starting from the Round of 64. The PPA Tour had previously reverted to best-of-3 formats for singles later in 2022 due to player longevity concerns, making this return to the longer format highly demanding, both mentally and physically.
The field is stacked with top talent from both the PPA and APP Tours, including PPA stars Federico Staksrud, John Lucian Goins, and Kaitlyn Christian. Other contenders include Connor Garnett, Chris Haworth, Will Howells, and Jaume Martinez Vich on the men's side, and Parris Todd, Judit Castillo, Salome Devidze, Lea Jansen, and Simone Jardim in the women’s bracket. Tennis legend and Life Time Pickleball and Tennis Board Chair, Andre Agassi, is expected to be courtside for the semi-finals and finals on Sunday.
The tournament schedule runs from Friday, October 17, through Sunday, October 19. Matches are being live broadcast, with Friday's play on the PPA Tour's YouTube, and Saturday and Sunday available via Pickleballtv and FS2. This event is not only focused on athletic intensity but also fair play, as it is the first U.S. tournament to implement on-site professional paddle testing using the GNG machine developed by Pickle Pro Labs (PPL) and certified by the United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A). Former pros Parris Todd and Ryan Sherry, who experienced the gruelling best-of-5 format in 2022, expect the weekend to be a significant grind. The tournament aims to showcase singles pickleball as "pure athleticism," requiring incredible skill, speed, and stamina.
NBA Legend Dirk Nowitzki Headlines Celebrity Showdown at Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships
Dallas, United States – The Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships will once again feature the highly anticipated Celebrity Pickleball Showdown, headlined by Dallas Mavericks icon and NBA Hall of Famer, Dirk Nowitzki. The showcase event is scheduled for Championship Court at the Brookhaven Country Club on Wednesday, November 5, at 7:00 PM CT. Nowitzki, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, played 21 seasons with the Mavericks, winning an NBA title in 2011, and is the only player in NBA history to play for a single franchise for 21 years.
Nowitzki expressed his enthusiasm for participating, noting that the event "gets better every year" as the national audience for pickleball expands. Crucially, the Showdown will benefit the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation through donations and an on-site raffle. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting children through programs focused on their health, education, and overall well-being, providing grants and funding projects for nonprofit organisations that assist children affected by neglect, abuse, poverty, and illness.
The Celebrity Pickleball Showdown is part of the larger Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships festival. The massive event at Brookhaven Country Club is expected to draw thousands of amateur and professional players competing across over 80 courts. Tens of thousands of fans are anticipated to attend, enjoying the action and festivities along Pickleball Boulevard. Fans nationwide who cannot attend in person will be able to catch the celebrity action live on Tennis Channel. Further celebrity participants for the Showdown are expected to be announced soon.
Double Gold for Rafael Lenhard and First Challenger Title for Isabella Dunlap at Rock City Rally
Little Rock, United States – The PPA Challenger Series, powered by JOOLA, completed its eleventh event of the year with the Rock City Rally PPA Challenger this past weekend. Rafael Lenhard emerged as the tournament's standout player, securing a double gold medal performance. Lenhard first captured the men’s singles gold after defeating Tristan Dussault in a tight final, 5-11, 12-10, 11-1. This victory followed a deep run earlier in the summer at the Orange County Cup, where he secured wins against elite players like Zane Navratil, Ben Johns, and Noe Khlif. Lenhard expressed that backing up his strong performances felt very rewarding.
Lenhard continued his success the following day, partnering with Troy Akin to claim men’s doubles gold, defeating the team of Anouar Braham and Tom Protzek 13-11, 11-8 in the championship match.
On the women’s side, Isabella Dunlap achieved a major milestone by winning women’s singles gold and securing her first PPA Challenger title. The former Iowa State University collegiate tennis player defeated Zoey Weil 11-8, 9-11, 11-3. Dunlap credited her success to her strong support system, including her fiancée and mixed doubles partner Andre Mercado, emphasising that it "takes a team". Zoey Weil also had an impressive weekend, achieving podium finishes in all three events, taking singles silver, bronze in women’s doubles with Zoeya Khan, and the mixed doubles title alongside Brandon French. All three top performers—Lenhard, Dunlap, and Weil—are set to compete next at the Rate Vegas Cup, scheduled for October 20-26 in Las Vegas.
Josh Bright Achieves Rare Triple Crown at Slovak Open
Slovakia – Josh Bright, captain of R3 in the Premier Pickleball League (PPL), delivered a dominant performance at the Slovak Open, sweeping the competition to secure a rare triple crown. Bright earned gold medals across men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles.
In men's singles, Bright defeated Krisztian Kaszoni to claim the title. He partnered with Viktoria Kanichova to win the mixed doubles gold. His most challenging final came in men's doubles, where he and partner Stuart Parminter narrowly defeated Matteo Cugliari and Alberto Seccia in a tight three-game battle: 11-8, 10-12, 11-8.
Bright expressed his satisfaction, stating that the success was the result of extensive dedication both on and off the court. He noted that he has been spending considerable time working to improve his game, and he is "very happy it's slowly coming in" with positive results. Bright’s strong showing at the Slovak Open mirrors his domestic success; his team, R3, is currently leading the Premier Pickleball League with a record of three wins and one loss after two match weekends.
Young Aces Secure Silver at Inaugural Junior Pickleball Championship in Sabah
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – Two dedicated young athletes, Charlton Chan Khong (Class 5G) and Isaac Lee Jun Yann (Class 6B), brought pride to SJKC Yuk Chin, Tawau, by clinching the First Runner-up title in the U12 Boys’ Doubles category at the Imperium International Secondary School (IISS) Junior Pickleball Championship 2025. The event was a significant milestone, marking the inaugural junior activity organised by IISS in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu and Sabah Pickleball Associations.
The competition attracted young players from across Sabah. Charlton and Isaac demonstrated exceptional teamwork and perseverance, reaching the finals and earning a silver medal, a cash prize of RM300, and a certificate. Principal Pang Dan Fung highlighted the boys' passion, noting that they regularly attend school training sessions and took the initiative to practice extra hours before the tournament.
Reflecting on their achievement, Charlton, who is also a tennis athlete, admitted they were nervous but focused on playing their best and having fun. He emphasised that doubles play requires excellent teamwork and communication, skills he learned to coordinate under pressure. Isaac, for whom this was his first major tournament outside school, was proud to reach the finals, acknowledging the pressure of close matches and the need to remain calm. He stated that he studies professional players to improve techniques like serving and returning. Both players pledged to train harder to represent their school in future tournaments, aspiring to secure the champion title next time.
Lifetime Announces 'A Pickleball Christmas' Starring One Tree Hill and Virgin River Alums
[City/Country Not Specified, United States] – Pickleball is set to hit the small screen this holiday season as Lifetime officially announced its annual It’s A Wonderful Lifetime lineup, featuring a pickleball-themed Christmas movie. A Pickleball Christmas is scheduled to premiere on Lifetime on Saturday, December 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The film stars James Lafferty and Zibby Allen. Lafferty is widely recognised for his portrayal of Nathan Scott on the TV series One Tree Hill, while Allen is best known for her role as Brie Sheridan on Virgin River. The plot centres around Lafferty’s character, tennis star Luke Hollis, who returns home to Florida following the biggest win of his career, only to find his family’s racquet club facing a potential sale.
To save the club, Luke reluctantly partners with the club's pickleball coach, Caroline (Zibby Allen), to compete in a high-stakes holiday tournament. The official movie description promises that "sparks fly both on and off the court," leading Luke to discover that the greatest victory may be finding love, family, and a new life chapter at home. The movie is part of the 12 Christmas films Lifetime will air every weekend from November 29 through December 20. This production continues the trend of America's fastest-growing sport influencing pop culture, following related news about other pickleball comedies and even discussions of adding pickleball courts to movie theatre upgrades.
PPA Pro Chris Haworth Offers Candid Advice to Aspiring Pickleball Professionals
United States – Following his recent success on the PPA Tour, including a major win against Christian Alshon in the Virginia Beach Cup finals, professional pickleball player Chris Haworth shared crucial advice for amateurs looking to transition into the professional circuit. Haworth, who made history by not losing a men's singles match on the APP Tour for over a year, acknowledged on the PicklePod podcast that it is extremely difficult to "break through" in the sport today.
Haworth strongly endorsed the PPA Challenger Tour as a necessary proving ground for aspiring pros. He views the Challenger Tour as a perfect opportunity for players to assess their competitive level, emphasising that "as much as you can play, the better," and suggesting that if a player cannot succeed there, they are likely not yet ready for the next level. He stressed the importance of testing oneself against other aspiring professionals.
For those who do achieve a high level of play, Haworth suggested that good results will attract attention. He highlighted that the pickleball community is excellent at supporting one another, advising amateurs to network, meet people, and "get your name out there". Haworth recognised that turning pro is both expensive and time-intensive, given that most amateurs hold full-time jobs while training on nights and weekends. Co-host Zane Navratil agreed, reinforcing the notion that playing against the best competition possible is the only route to the top, concluding that ultimately, "Being good at pickleball trumps all". Haworth himself is a proponent of the PPA's prize money structure, which favours results, operating under an "eat what you kill" philosophy. His final message to those serious about going pro is simple: "If you think you can do it, and you believe in yourself, you’ve got to just go for it and commit".
Eliminating the 'Chicken Wing': Pros Advocate for the Neutral Position in Pickleball Counters
United States – Pickleball professionals are calling on amateur players to abandon the notorious "chicken wing" position—an awkward, compromised counter resulting from being jammed at the kitchen line—by adopting a "sitting neutral" stance. APP pro Jack Munro and Elliott Schupp explained that the chicken wing occurs because most amateurs habitually "camp out" in a backhand-ready position, pre-committing to hitting everything with a backhand counter. This leaves a massive vulnerability when a speedup is fired to the forehand side, resulting in a weak, high pop-up or a shanked shot.
Munro and Schupp recommend sitting neutral instead, meaning players stay balanced in the middle to react to the ball's actual location. This allows players to utilise their forehand for counters, converting a typical weakness into an offensive strength, or a "legitimate weapon". The benefits of sitting neutral include protecting court position, staying centred, and transforming a vulnerable spot into an offensive opportunity.
To execute this forehand counter effectively, several key mechanical elements are necessary: players must use an eastern or semi-western grip, as a continental grip lacks the required wrist flexibility; the elbow must be kept tucked close to the body, preventing the dreaded "chicken wing" forehand; and a short, compact backswing is essential for a fast punch and quick recovery. Additionally, the forehand counter naturally angles the paddle face down, driving the ball to the opponent's feet without complicated wrist manipulation, a key advantage over the backhand block. The biggest challenge is mental—moving past the ease of pre-committing to one side and training oneself to react instantly from neutral. Munro advises players to focus on going straight to the ball without guessing, ensuring they are always on the ball regardless of where it is hit.
Coaching Insight: Reducing Mental Errors in Pickleball by Understanding the Odds
United States – In high-pressure pickleball situations, mental errors often determine the outcome, according to contributor Tony Roig, who emphasises that players can drastically reduce the chances of missing shots by focusing on intentionality and maximising their margin for error. While mechanical errors require tedious repetitions to fix, controlling mental errors is often more immediate.
Roig outlines two primary mental errors: the lack of intention, meaning the player fails to select a specific target; and selecting a target that is too risky, leaving no sufficient cushion for variance. Even professional players utilise a margin for error, which is why shots like the third-shot drop often have a higher arc among pros compared to amateurs aiming too close to the net.
The easiest way for players to control errors is by giving themselves more space on their shots, thereby allowing a sufficient "cushion" around the target. Players should not aim directly at or near the line, as variance in human performance means the ball is likely to land outside the intended area. To fix these mental missteps, players must (1) have a clear target in mind (intentionality), and (2) set a target that provides a sufficient cushion, preventing the margin for error from overlapping with the out-of-bounds area or the net. This strategy—using the odds to improve the success rate of every shot—ultimately leads to winning more rallies and games. This clarity in decision-making, which asks whether a move improves the chances of success, can be applied to almost every aspect of pickleball.
IPA Partners with JOOLA India: Team India Gears Up for Historic World Cup Debut
India – The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) has announced a landmark collaboration with JOOLA India, naming the US-headquartered brand as the Official Kit Partner for Team India at the forthcoming Pickleball World Cup. This partnership is monumental, marking the first time an official national pickleball team, operating under the aegis of the IPA—recognised as the National Sports Federation for Pickleball by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports—will represent India on a global platform.
The Pickleball World Cup is scheduled to take place in Florida, USA, from October 27 to November 2. JOOLA India will provide high-performance official team kits to the Indian players, coaches, and support staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to compete against the world’s best.
Tarun Verma, Head of JOOLA India, expressed immense pride in supporting Team India’s official global debut, calling the partnership a testament to JOOLA's commitment to growing the sport within India. Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the IPA, hailed the collaboration as a "massive step towards establishing India as a significant force on the international pickleball circuit". Bhullar noted that sending the first official team, with full government backing, is the culmination of years of dedicated effort. The IPA, as the National Sports Federation for the sport in India, is focused on governing, organising, and promoting pickleball across all levels in the country.
Franklin Sports Eyes Explosive Growth in Asia, Emphasising Community and Quality
Boston, United States – Franklin Sports is heavily focused on expanding its global footprint, particularly across Asia, where the company sees the growth of pickleball as "just beginning" and on a "hot trajectory". Jared Franklin, in charge of international development for the family-owned company, highlighted Southeast Asia—specifically Malaysia and Vietnam—as being at the forefront of this explosive growth. Founded in 1946 and currently managed by third-generation family members, Franklin Sports is active in nine categories, with pickleball being its fastest-growing and most exciting division.
Franklin credits Asia's appeal to the rapid speed of infrastructure development. He noted the tremendous number of new, high-quality venues appearing in Malaysia and Vietnam, which serve as welcoming "hangout spots" complete with excellent facilities and food and beverage options. This lifestyle integration, combined with Southeast Asia's existing strong culture of racket sports like badminton, table tennis, and squash, provides an easier barrier of entry for new pickleball players. Franklin stressed that no other sport fosters community involvement quite like pickleball, noting that it connects people of all ages and walks of life, leading to "fast friends" and new relationships.
The company's core mission is to innovate products that get children and people of all ages active and off the couch, viewing technology and video games as their main competitors. To ensure global quality, Franklin maintains a dedicated Quality Assurance office in Hong Kong that conducts over 2,500 factory visits annually. Crucial to Franklin's expansion success is choosing the right local partners, as "a brand is only as good as their partners". Franklin’s long-term vision in Asia is summarised as: support, community, and innovation. To shape the pickleball culture, Franklin aims to offer a golden standard product, the Franklin X40 pickleball, and sponsor events to ensure a high standard of play for everyone entering the game.
Study Reveals Skyrocketing Pickleball Eye Injuries Across the US
United States – A new study published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology revealed a menacing trend of skyrocketing pickleball-related eye injuries across the United States, correlating directly with the sport's massive increase in popularity. Researchers assessed data from the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database from 2005 to 2024.
The report documented an estimated 3,112 pickleball-related eye injuries between 2005 and 2024, with more than 1,250 of those injuries occurring in 2024 alone. The incidence of these ocular injuries increased by an estimated 405 injuries per year from 2021 to 2024. Doctors involved in the study reported that the mechanism of injury was being hit with the ball 43 percent of the time, followed by falls (28 percent) and being hit with a paddle (12 percent).
While the sport is often favoured for its perceived simplicity and reputation for being less injury-prone, especially for older players, the severity of injuries reported included common ailments like corneal abrasions and eyelid lacerations, but also more serious trauma such as retinal detachment, eye bleeding, and broken eye sockets. Crucially, the study noted that eye protection gear is not currently mandated for professional or casual pickleball play. The findings strongly called for new standardised guidelines regarding eye protection for the sport. Nearly 20 million players regularly play pickleball in the US.