Melbourne Sweep, IPA Nationals, League Deals

Good morning, pickleballers!

Welcome to a new week - which means there's plenty of action to bring you up to date on.

So, let's dive straight in.

Asian Stars Sweep Podium at Melbourne Pickleball Cup

Melbourne, Australia – The Melbourne Pickleball Cup, powered by PPA Tour Australia, concluded with Championship Sunday, delivering intense gold medal matches and a historic Asian sweep in the Pro Men's Singles category.

In the Pro Men’s Singles 5.0 and Above category, players from Asia claimed all three podium spots. Hien Truong won the gold medal, defeating fellow Vietnamese player Hoang Nam Ly in the final with a score of 2-0 (11-9, 11-3). Truong’s path to the title included overcoming Malaysia’s number one men’s player, Jimmy Liong, in the semi-finals, 2-1 (3-11, 11-8, 11-7), and defeating PPA Tour Asia's top-ranked male player, Jack Wong Hong-kit, in the quarter-finals. Liong fought through the back draw to secure the bronze medal by beating Marco Leung of Macau, completing the Asian sweep.

The Championship Court featured five Gold Medal Matches, which were streamed starting at 9:00 AM AEDT. The day saw several three-game contests and decisive victories. In Women’s Doubles, Nicola Schoeman and Danni-Elle Townsend secured gold against Roos van Reek and Victoria Turulja with a tight 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 finish. Sahra Dennehy triumphed over Roos van Reek in the Women's Singles final, winning 11-0, 7-11, 11-7. The Men’s Doubles gold went to Wong and Kim, who maintained an edge against Farias and Laville. Closing out the tournament, Joey Wild and Danni-Elle Townsend clinched the Mixed Doubles title, defeating Schoeman and Hargreaves 11-5, 11-7.

Maharashtra Dominates 5th IPA Nationals 2025, Juniors Shine in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, India – The 5th IPA Nationals 2025, a four-day event held from November 13–16 in Bengaluru, wrapped up with Maharashtra asserting its dominance, claiming the overall championship and the prestigious State Team Event Winners Cup. Maharashtra topped the medal tally with an impressive total of 10 medals, including three golds and five silvers, showcasing significant depth and consistency across age groups.

The state's success was spearheaded by experienced players, including Nitten Kirrtane and Atul Edward, who secured a gold-medal victory in the fiercely contested 50+ Men’s Doubles event on the final day. Bhusan Akut and Akhil Mathur earned the silver medal in the same category. Maharashtra also saw gold from Shraddha Damani, who won the 30+ Mixed Doubles alongside Vishal Jadhav, and Shaks Devnani and Gaurika Chopra, who took the 50+ Women’s Doubles title.

Beyond the senior divisions, the junior circuit saw breakout performances. Gujarat’s Dev Shah and Karnataka’s Naga Moksha clinched gold in the U-18 Mixed Doubles. Naga Moksha also secured the U-18 Women’s Singles title, while Dev Shah won the U-18 Boys’ Doubles. Shah's strong season is highlighted by a bronze medal at the World Championship.

The inaugural Nationals, the first official national championship since the sport’s recognition by the National Sports Federation (NSF), featured over 1,800 matches with participation from more than 20 states. Karnataka followed Maharashtra in the medal standings with three golds and one silver, and Gujarat also earned three gold medals. Other notable results included Naomi Amalsadiwala and Pearl Amalsadiwala's commanding 15-1 victory in the Open Women’s Doubles Final, and Tamil Nadu’s Ranjith Sarvanan and Kamini Murugaboopathy winning the 40+ Mixed Doubles Final 15-6. The success of the event confirms pickleball's rapid growth and expanding competitive landscape across India.

Adani Group Powers Inaugural Indian Pickleball League Debut in Delhi

New Delhi, India – The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), India’s only national pickleball league sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, has announced a significant boost with the Adani Group joining as the Powered By partner for its inaugural season. The league is set to debut from December 1–7, 2025, at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium.

The partnership underscores the Adani Group’s commitment to India’s emerging sporting landscape and marks a major step for pickleball in the country, which recently secured a seventh-place finish in the 2025 Pickleball World Cup medal tally.

The IPBL, launched by The Times Group, aims to build a professional, credible, and inclusive platform for the rapidly growing sport. It will feature franchise-based city teams and showcase top Indian and international athletes in a fast-paced format designed for television and young audiences.

Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, expressed pride in supporting the league, stating the partnership reflects their commitment to nurturing emerging talent and building world-class sporting ecosystems. Sameer Pathak, President of Pickleball World Rankings (A Times Group Company), welcomed the Adani Group, noting that their commitment "complements our ambition to scale pickleball with the visibility and structure it deserves". The league is viewed not just as a competition but as a movement to inspire participation and elevate performance, taking the sport into the mainstream.

Global Sports Pickleball Secures Landmark Broadcast Deal with Zee5, Zee Café

Mumbai, India – Global Sports Pickleball (GSPB) has announced a landmark broadcast partnership with Zee5, one of India’s largest OTT platforms, to live-stream the upcoming Global Sports Pickleball League & Grand Slam 2025. This high-impact digital and television alliance is set to bring India’s premier pickleball tournament to millions of viewers nationwide.

The Global Sports Pickleball League & Grand Slam 2025 will be held from December 16th to 23rd, 2025, at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. The partnership ensures that fans will have comprehensive access to the events, which include the Grand Slam, Pro League, and Challenger League. Zee5 will serve as the exclusive live-streaming partner, allowing seamless access to all matches across categories, courts, and formats.

In addition to digital streaming, marquee league matches will be broadcast on television via Zee Café and &flix, significantly widening the tournament’s reach. The Grand Slam, India’s largest and most inclusive pickleball tournament spanning categories from U-12 to 50+, will be live-streamed exclusively on Zee5 daily from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and offers a massive ₹5 Crore prize pool. The Pro League and Challenger League matches, featuring top players and emerging Indian talent, will be broadcast daily from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM across Zee5, Zee Café, and &flix.

Hemal Jain, Chief of Pickleball Growth at Global Sports Pickleball, called the collaboration a "significant moment for pickleball in India," emphasising that the broad visibility is a major step toward making pickleball one of India’s most-watched new sports.

CNPL Free Agency Reshapes League Landscape Ahead of C4 Draft

Toronto, Canada – The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) has seen a dramatic roster revolution during its inaugural free agency period, fundamentally reshaping the competitive balance ahead of the January 27 draft. Five teams capitalised on the opportunity, adding impact talent and maximising their pre-draft rosters.

The most impactful move saw Anne-Sophie Courteau, ranked 4th in the 2025 league leaders and a cornerstone of the defending champion Montreal Lions, move to the London Smash. Courteau joins Ryan Torresin (#1) and Jessica Kawamoto (#2), creating the league’s most star-studded top three and instantly elevating the Smash to championship favourites.

The Montreal Lions quickly countered by signing Christina Chin, the 2025 draft’s first overall selection, who has existing chemistry with captain Ernesto Fajardo. Meanwhile, the Detroit-Windsor Drive made a "franchise-altering acquisition" by securing Stevie Petropouleas (#6 in 2025 league leaders), who brings championship DNA from her time with Montreal. Petropouleas is the CNPL’s youngest player and joins the Drive after capturing back-to-back junior gold at the Pickleball World Cup.

The Prairie Pronghorns bolstered their foundation by signing Lucas Wong (#13), pairing him with Antoaneta Toskova (#10). Additionally, the Southwestern Ontario Brewers added versatility with the signing of Audrey Yeung. With these signings, five of the eight CNPL teams—the London Smash, Montreal Lions, Southwestern Ontario Brewers, Detroit-Windsor Drive, and Toronto United—have reached their maximum pre-draft capacity of three contracted players. The competitive stakes are now heightened, promising an explosive C4 season.

Guangzhou Launches Free-to-Play Metro Pickleball Centre

Guangzhou, China – The city of Guangzhou has officially opened the Guangzhou Metro Pickleball Centre, a unique new facility located on the mezzanine level of Pazhou Station on Guangzhou Metro Line 11. This initiative is Guangzhou’s response to the residents’ need for accessible health and fitness facilities, aligning with the goals of the “National Games for All” of the 15th National Games.

Spanning nearly 1,000 square metres, the centre features 10 professional pickleball courts capable of accommodating up to 50 players simultaneously. Importantly, the facility is designed specifically for the Guangzhou communities and is free-to-play, ensuring residents have an accessible venue to enjoy pickleball without high costs. The courts are enclosed with yellow safety barriers for safety, and the centre also includes a rest and refreshment area, as well as a training service area.

The Guangzhou Metro Pickleball Centre is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with reservable time slots available from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. via the WeChat mini-program “Qunti Tong”.

According to a Guangzhou Metro representative, the opening is just the beginning. Residents can anticipate future training courses, competitions, and similar events. The long-term goal is to fully repurpose metro spaces to integrate sports, recreation, and cultural exchange, providing professional-level sports experiences in highly accessible locations.

Staksrud’s Right-Side Gamble Pays Off with PPA World Championship Title

Farmers Branch, USA – Professional pickleball star Federico Staksrud executed a radical strategic gamble this season, moving from his dominant left-side position to play on the right side full-time, a switch that ultimately led to a PPA World Championship men's doubles title with partner Hayden Patriquin.

After winning three straight tournaments the previous year, the partnership of Staksrud and Patriquin was struggling in 2025, slipping in the rankings. Staksrud realised the core issue was that Patriquin, known as one of the most dangerous players globally, was being neutralised and wasn't getting enough touches when Staksrud played the left. Teams were neutralising Patriquin by dead dinking to Staksrud.

To free up Patriquin to become the aggressor and playmaker—a role where he needs to be constantly moving and creating chaos—Staksrud made the decision in mid-summer to switch sides. This was a "reckless" move for Staksrud, who had built his entire game around the left side and hadn't played the right consistently since 2022.

Staksrud committed to constant drilling and repetition to learn the new role, recognising that the best partnerships require sacrifice and flexibility. The switch proved transformative, allowing Patriquin to thrive on the left. After showing promise by challenging top teams in Vegas, the pair went on to win a PPA tournament, culminating in their victory at the PPA World Championships held at the Brookhaven Country Club from November 3rd - 10th, 2025. Staksrud’s versatility is further cemented by his holding the world #1 rank in both men's doubles and men's singles.

JOOLA HC-40 Named Official Ball for RTA European Finals and 2026 Tour

Salzburg, Austria – The RTA Pickleball Tour has announced that the brand-new JOOLA HC-40 will serve as the official ball for both the RTA European Finals 2025, which includes the Arlberg Pickleball Championship, and the entire RTA2026 Tour season.

The new HC-40 ball, which is "hot off the line" and not yet released to the public, is being introduced as a "game-changer" that directly challenges the world's most recognised pickleballs. The RTA Pickleball Tour, which emphasises quality and innovation, selected the HC-40 for its precision, top-tier durability, and perfectly consistent bounce, meeting the high standards of competitive play at every level.

The RTA Tour stated that whether the match is a high-intensity pro contest at an RTA2000 event, an amateur final at an RTA500, or a skill-building clinic, the HC-40 will ensure the same quality and reliability. The ball performs effectively both indoors and outdoors, offering a smooth, predictable flight path and appropriate control.

This partnership with JOOLA, the RTA's Premium Sponsor, and the introduction of the HC-40 marks another step in shaping the future of European pickleball.

Philippine Pickleball League Opens Registration for PPL Luzon Open 2026

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Pickleball League (PPL) has officially opened registration for the PPL Luzon Open 2026, promising two weeks of competition and an estimated prize pool of ₱700,000.00. The tournament is scheduled across two weekends in January 2026: January 16–18 and January 21–23, and will be held at The Dink Lab and The Dink Lab Elite.

The PPL Luzon Open 2026 will host a wide array of divisions aimed at both seasoned veterans and new players. Categories include Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, covering age brackets from Open, 18+, 35+, and 50+. Team events will be offered for Intermediate and Advanced categories. Special categories include Novice Mixed Doubles with random partners, and the 17 and Under divisions.

DUPR limitations will be observed, defining skill levels from Novice (Masaya) for players with no DUPR up to 3.0, Intermediate (Marunong) for 3.0 to 3.9, Advanced (Magaling) for 4.0 to 4.9, and Open (Malupit) recommended for 5.0+ players.

Registration fees range from ₱1,300 per player for Novice/Intermediate/U-17 categories up to ₱2,000 per player for Singles. Team Events are priced at ₱6,000 for Intermediate and ₱8,000 for Advanced. Joining the event offers players the chance to compete against the best in Luzon, earn official PPL ranking points and DUPR-verified ratings, and receive live media coverage.

USA Pickleball Nationals 2025 Set for San Diego Return

San Diego, USA – The USA Pickleball National Championships are set to return to the Barnes Tennis Center in sunny San Diego, California, commencing November 20, 2025. The tournament, which traces its history back to the first Nationals in Arizona in 2009, is offering a prize pool exceeding $225,000 this week.

The professional play schedule begins on Thursday, November 20, with Pro Women’s & Men’s Singles matches, continuing through the bronze medal matches. Pro Mixed Doubles will take place on Friday, November 21, along with the Singles Bronze matches. The event culminates on Saturday and Sunday with Pro Doubles matches, followed by the Mixed and Doubles Gold and Bronze medal matches.

USA Pickleball has partnered with QVC+ to stream the pro play starting at noon daily from Thursday through Sunday.

The tournament features deep draws across all pro categories. Top seeds in Women’s Singles include Sofia Sewing, Katerina Stewart, and 2024 Champion Bobbi Oshiro. The 32-player Men’s Singles field is headed by Jack Foster and 2024 Silver Medalist Patrick Kawka. Mixed Doubles sees Jack Munro and Megan Fudge seeded first, while the defending Women’s Doubles Champions, Jillian Braverman and Megan Fudge, top their field of 22 teams. In Men's Doubles, the top seeds are Jack Munro and Richard Livornese Jr.. Players and fans are hoping for clear skies, as rain has been anticipated for Thursday and Friday, potentially causing issues for the amateur brackets.