Mack, Walker, Truong Star as India Leagues Grow and Canada Thrills
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Odisha Open Crowns Champions, Boosts Eastern India Pickleball
Bhubaneswar, India – The Odisha Pickleball Open, organised by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the PWR 100 format, recently concluded at Grand Awaas, showcasing strong competitive spirit and the sport's growing popularity in eastern India. The tournament offered valuable ranking points and a platform for players across various age groups.
In the Men's 60+ Doubles, the seasoned duo of Narottama Patra and Sushil Mishra clinched a nail-biting 11-10 victory over Madhabananda Biswal and Rajanikanta Das. Patra’s precise placements and Mishra’s steady defence were key in the thrilling finale, decided by a forced error from their opponents at 10-10.
The Mixed Doubles title went to Aiswajit Saha and Prasidhi Poddar, who secured a dazzling 15-11 win against Ansuman Babu and Anisha Panigrahi. Saha’s strong baseline play combined with Poddar’s fast net skills gave them an early lead, and their controlled aggression in tight moments sealed the championship.
Meanwhile, Sumeet Panda dominated the Men’s Open Singles, defeating Ansuman Babu 11-5, 11-7. Panda’s tactical awareness, precise serves, and consistent execution proved decisive, reinforcing his status as a top Indian pickleball contender. The event underscored the IPA’s goal to expand pickleball beyond its traditional strongholds and leverage Odisha’s sporting culture and infrastructure.
MB Vietnam Open 2025: Asian Stars Shine Bright in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – The PPA Tour Asia's MB Vietnam Open 2025, held from September 4 to 7, was a resounding success, highlighting Vietnam's growing presence in professional pickleball and showcasing a diverse pool of international and local talent. The tournament brought intense competition across multiple categories, with several champions crowned at Grand Awaas.
In Men’s Singles, local hero Phuc Huynh delivered a golden celebration for the home crowd, defeating countryman Hoang Nam Ly 11-5, 11-1 in a dominant performance. This victory followed his silver medal win in Fukuoka a week prior, solidifying his rising talent. Hien Truong secured the bronze in men's singles by defeating Giang Trinh.
China’s Yufei Long claimed her third PPA Tour Asia gold in the Women’s Singles after a hard-fought comeback against Sahra Dennehy, winning 2-1 (10-12, 11-6, 11-9). Her resilience under pressure was a testament to her growing dominance on the tour. Rika Fujiwara earned the bronze medal.
The Men’s Doubles gold medal went to the formidable pairing of American veteran AJ Koller and rising star Jonathan Truong, who defeated Australians George Wall and Joseph Wild 11-6, 11-7. This marked Truong's first pro tournament win, celebrated on his home soil. Hong Kit Wong and Eunggwon Kim took bronze.
In Women's Doubles, Meghan Dizon and Alix Truong dominated the final, sweeping Lauren Mercado and Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall 11-3, 11-0 in under 25 minutes. This victory was particularly significant for Alix Truong, marking her first PPA Tour gold medal. Nicola Schoeman and Danni-elle Townsend secured the bronze.
The Pro Mixed Doubles final saw a thrilling contest. While one earlier report indicated Jamie Haas and Harsh Mehta won the title, later reports confirm that the Australian duo Danni-elle Townsend and Joseph Wild emerged victorious against Jamie Haas and Harsh Mehta with scores of 11-4, 11-9. Alix Truong and Jonathan Truong claimed the bronze medal in a comeback victory against Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall and Vanshik Kapadia. The tournament overall underscored the growth of pickleball in Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region, providing a crucial national platform for competitive play.
Mack, Walker Double Down as Mendez Secures Back-to-Back at Citrus Classic PPA Challenger
Kissimmee, USA – The Citrus Classic PPA Challenger, the ninth event of the PPA Challenger Series powered by JOOLA, witnessed impressive double-gold performances and a repeat champion over the weekend.
Luca Mack was a standout, capturing two gold medals. He secured the men’s singles title with a three-game victory over Connor Mogle, marking his second singles win on the Challenger tour. Mack then teamed up with Anouar Braham to win the men’s doubles title, defeating Mikael Vollbach and Bruno Faletto in the final.
Angie Walker also achieved remarkable success, earning two gold medals. She secured the women’s doubles gold with her sister Alex Walker, marking their second women's doubles title of the year after defeating Danna Funaro and Zoey Weil. Walker then partnered with James Delgado to clinch the mixed doubles triumph in a three-game battle against Alex Walker and Ryan Fu, which was Walker’s second mixed doubles title of the season and Delgado’s third.
Finally, Seone Mendez continued her strong run by securing her second consecutive women’s singles title with an 11-2, 12-10 victory over Kelsey Laurente. Mendez will look to build on this performance as she qualified for the main draw of the upcoming Veolia Cincinnati Showcase.
Cincinnati Gears Up for PPA Slam Amidst Star Withdrawal and Renovations
Mason, USA – The PPA Tour returns to "The Queen City" this week for the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase presented by Six Zero, a highly anticipated Slam tournament offering 2,000 PPA Points to winners – double that of an Open event. Hosted at the recently renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center, the facility boasts a $260 million upgrade completed in 2024 and 2025, having previously hosted the ATP Masters 1,000 Cincinnati Open.
The event features a progressive draw, with one round scheduled per event each day, running from Tuesday, September 9 to Championship Sunday on September 14. Weather forecasts predict warm temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s with moderate humidity, which may slow ball play but poses no significant precipitation threat.
Despite the excitement, a significant development occurred with Ben Johns, the No. 5 seed, withdrawing from men's singles due to illness. Jay Evans, a lucky loser, will replace him in the Round of 64. Johns is still expected to compete in mixed doubles with Anna Leigh Waters and men's doubles with Gabe Tardio.
Top storylines include Anna Leigh Waters' return to singles as the #1 seed, aiming to break her longest gold medal drought since 2021. Hunter Johnson takes the #1 seed in men's singles, with young star John Lucian Goins looking for a third consecutive event win. Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns are favourites in mixed doubles, having won their last four events. The tournament also features the third annual "Pickleball for All" accessibility awareness clinic, partnering with Carvana to foster community engagement and inclusivity.
Canadian National Pickleball League III Ignites with Metropolitan Split Thrillers in Oakville
Oakville, Canada – The 2025 Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) Metropolitan Split kicked off its regular season at CourtX in Oakville from September 6-7, delivering a series of dominant sweeps and nail-biting comebacks.
The London Smash Pickleball Club had a strong start, securing a 3-1 victory over the Detroit-Windsor Drive, with Jessica Kawamoto earning Player of the Match honours. London Smash also delivered a flawless 4-0 sweep against the Southwestern Ontario Brewers, where Kawamoto again shone as Player of the Match.
The Montreal Lions proved to be a dominant force, achieving a 4-0 sweep over the Toronto United Pickleball Club, with Louis-Charles Amyot named Player of the Match. They also delivered a convincing 4-0 victory against the Detroit-Windsor Drive, where Ernesto Fajardo earned Player of the Match.
The Northern Lights established themselves as early frontrunners by dominating the Montreal Lions with a 4-0 sweep, led by Player of the Match Joel Pelletier. They also achieved another 4-0 clean sweep against the Vancouver Owls, with Lucas Wong named Player of the Match. The Northern Lights continued their strong run by defeating the London Smash Pickleball Club 3-1, with Lucas Wong once again recognised as Player of the Match.
The Prairie Pronghorns demonstrated resilience with two comeback victories. They secured a 3-2 win against the Southwestern Ontario Brewers after losing the first two games, with Antoaneta Toskova as Player of the Match. They also clinched a nail-biting 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Owls, with Toskova again taking Player of the Match. Additionally, the Pronghorns achieved a 4-0 flawless victory over the Detroit-Windsor Drive, showcasing their dominance with Antoaneta Toskova as Player of the Match.
The Southwestern Ontario Brewers secured a 3-1 win against the Vancouver Owls, with Ava Kalist being named Player of the Match for her strong performance.
Finally, the Toronto United Pickleball Club showed impressive comebacks. They edged out the Vancouver Owls 3-2 after dropping the first two games, with Jada Bui as Player of the Match. Toronto United also secured a 3-1 victory over the Prairie Pronghorns, led by Player of the Match Maximilian Wild. To cap their weekend, Toronto United clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Southwestern Ontario Brewers, with Maximilian Wild once again named Player of the Match.
After this round, the Lions top the table with 13 match wins ahead of the Pronghorns with 11.
Indian Pickleball Landscape Expands Amidst Controversies and Star Investments
India – The Indian pickleball scene is experiencing rapid growth and professionalisation, marked by major league auctions, grassroots development initiatives, and official recognitions, even as it navigates challenges like unauthorised tournaments.
The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), recognised as the sole National Sports Federation for Pickleball, issued a public warning against the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) and the Jammu & Kashmir Amateur Pickleball Association (JKAPA) for planning an unauthorised tournament in Jammu from September 26-28, 2025. The IPA emphasised its exclusive rights to organise official national championships, confirming their official event will be held in Bangalore in November 2025, and threatened legal action if the unauthorised event proceeds.
Despite this, Jammu recently hosted the Monsoon Masters Open 2025 at the Isle of Ball, a PWR 50 ranking event and JKSPR 500 tournament that celebrated new champions across various categories. Darshan Singh won the Men’s Singles, Ragini Gupta took the Women’s Singles, and the duo of Umang Gupta and Ragini Gupta clinched the Mixed Doubles title. The event also highlighted promising junior and senior talent, boosting pickleball’s growth in the region.
In a major development for professional pickleball, Global Sports Pickleball wrapped up its Season 2 Pro & Challenger League Auction in Mumbai, with a total potential spend of ₹6.6 crore across ten teams. Vietnam’s Quang Duong emerged as the top buy, snapped up by the Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors for ₹27 Lakhs. Among Indian players, Harsh Mehta attracted the highest bid of ₹21 Lakhs from the Chennai Cool Cats. Other notable international signings included Megan Fudge (USA), Jack Munro (USA), Bobbi Oshiro (USA), and Roos Van Reek (Netherlands). The auction underscored growing franchise belief in the sport's future, laying groundwork for pickleball to become a mainstream professional sport in India.
Adding to the league excitement, Olympic medalist and badminton star Saina Nehwal became the co-owner of the Keerthi Warriors team in the Hyderabad Pickleball League (HPL). Launching in October 2025, the HPL will feature eight franchise teams, playing weekly matches through November. Nehwal expressed her commitment to inspiring young talent and growing pickleball at the grassroots level across India, with organisers expecting her involvement to significantly boost the sport's credibility and reach.
Pickleball World Cup 2025 Ignites Olympic Dreams in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, USA – The Pickleball World Cup 2025, hosted by siblings Hercilio and Miranda, is set to be a landmark event, uniting over 3,000 players from 64 countries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from October 27 to November 2, 2025. This rapid expansion from 14 countries in 2023 to 64 in 2025 underscores the sport's global reach and accessibility.
The siblings' primary mission extends beyond competition: to unify national federations and advance pickleball towards Olympic inclusion. Hercilio believes pickleball is poised to become one of the most played sports worldwide, noting its "magic lies in accessibility and the way it welcomes every generation". Miranda emphasised the sport's social and cultural impact, highlighting how communities and nations are embracing the game.
Asia, particularly India, Vietnam, Malaysia, and China, is heavily investing in pickleball infrastructure and player development, with schools and colleges introducing programs and scholarships. The recent official recognition of the Indian Pickleball Association by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is seen as remarkable progress facilitated by events like the World Cup. India is expected to be a strong contender in 2025, sending both Open junior and senior teams.
The World Cup will be held at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, the world’s first dedicated pickleball stadium, featuring 43 professional-grade courts, including 14 all-weather covered courts, promising an unmatched experience for both players and spectators. The participation of 64 countries sends a clear message to the International Olympic Committee about pickleball's readiness for the Olympic movement.
Collette Deepens Partnership with Pickleball Australia, Eyes Active Over 50s Market
Australia – Collette, a global leader in guided small group tours, has extended its partnership with Pickleball Australia, becoming its "Official Holiday Partner". This renewed collaboration positions Collette exclusively at the upcoming Australian Pickleball Championship (APC) in Queensland this October, a flagship event attracting players of all ages and skills, including top homegrown and international talent.
Celebrating the partnership, Collette is inviting travel agents to a friendly Pickleball Tournament on October 2, offering great holiday prizes. Karen Deveson, Collette Australia Managing Director, highlighted pickleball as "the trending sport of choice for active over 50s both in Australia and around the world". She noted that Collette travellers are active and curious, making this a valued partnership.
Pickleball Australia's Brendan Lee stated that the partnership allows their community to remain active, connected, and inspired both on and off the court. The event promises food, drinks, music, exciting giveaways including a major Collette tour prize for two, and a complimentary shuttle bus service. The RSVP deadline for travel agents is September 17, with limited spaces available.
Sibu Makes History Hosting Malaysia's First Inter-School Pickleball Tournament
Sibu, Malaysia – Sibu proudly hosted Malaysia's inaugural Sibu Division Inter-School Pickleball Tournament 2025 on September 5, 2025, at the SMI Pickleball Centre. This historic event saw 16 teams from 13 secondary schools competing, reflecting the remarkable growth of pickleball in Malaysia, particularly in Sibu over the past year.
Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Bukit Assek assemblyman and Sibu Pickleball Association president, officiated the event and noted that 11 secondary schools in Sibu officially formed pickleball clubs this year, demonstrating the city's commitment to grassroots and youth development. Delima Ibrahim, Acting President of the Malaysian Pickleball Association, praised Sibu for making history and called the young participants "pioneers of this achievement".
The tournament aims to further foster youth enthusiasm for pickleball and cultivate important values like sportsmanship and respect. This initiative follows a Level 1 Certified Coaches Course organised by the Sibu Pickleball Association on June 7, 2025, which trained 34 participants from Sibu and surrounding areas, further strengthening the sport's foundation in the city.
DUPR Elevates Pickleball Integrity with Launch of Verified Events Policy
Global – DUPR, in its ongoing commitment to uphold pickleball's integrity and ensure transparency, has launched DUPR Verified Events. These competitions are designed to deliver the highest level of trust and competitive integrity by requiring all players to complete a validation process. The initiative aims to provide stronger safeguards against manipulated match activity, protect the integrity of ratings, and elevate the value of verified competition.
All DUPR Verified Events undergo review and approval by the DUPR Fairplay Committee. Organisers failing to maintain these standards will be removed from the program. Matches from Verified Events count more toward player ratings than standard matches due to the higher standards for players and organisers.
The accompanying DUPR Verified Event Policy outlines stringent requirements: all participants must have an authenticated DUPR account and be DUPR+ members with a verified phone number. Players must register in brackets corresponding to their current DUPR Rating. Score reporting mandates complete and accurate submission of all event results within 48 hours, with explicit permission required from organisers for any match data modifications. Event organisers are also responsible for fair competition oversight and must appoint an independent official if they compete. Any falsification or negligent reporting is strictly prohibited, with potential suspension or removal of hosting privileges. DUPR's ultimate goal is to establish Verified Events as the global standard for competitive pickleball.
Pickleball Takes Hold in China, Fueled by Active Lifestyles and Economic Investment
China – Pickleball is rapidly gaining momentum in China, signalling significant implications for the sport's global growth, driven by a broader shift towards active lifestyles and increasing economic investment. Online sales of pickleball paddles and equipment in China have surged to an average of USD $1.2 million in monthly sales as of July 2025, a six-fold increase year-over-year.
Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC, noted that this rise reflects an overall increase in interest in racquet sports, particularly tennis, which has seen a resurgence due to Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen's Olympic gold. The hugely successful, maxed-out Hong Kong Open 2025, part of the inaugural PPA Tour Asia, further demonstrates the sport's appeal, with increasing court availability in Hong Kong.
Chinese businessmen are recognising pickleball's economic potential, investing in new courts and businesses. A key factor in the sport's sustainable growth is the involvement of the Chinese Tennis Association, which provides a "systemised" approach to organising tournaments, contrasting with local organisations that often have to self-fund in other countries. This ensures players can hone skills in professional, organised settings. Additionally, schools across China are encouraging pickleball, repurposing existing facilities into pickleball courts to boost student participation. McKinsey Senior Partner Daniel Zipser expresses confidence in the long-term sustainability of this trend, linking it to Chinese consumers' renewed desire for active engagement post-COVID-19.