MLP Shakeup, APP Drama, Pickleball in India, Malaysia & More
Good morning, pickleballers!
Nearly the weekend and the weekend means more pickleball.
Get in the mood by getting a copy of May's World Pickleball Magazine - 130+ pages of pickleball goodness including interviews with the man behind the biggest World Tour in existence, a partner in Brazil's professional leagues, two top talents on court from Asia and much, much more plus all your favourite features.
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And on Wednesday, Martin Clark, Australian pickleball star, joined Chris and Gordon for the weekly podcast.
The guys talked about the English Nationals Singles tournament and whether Chris did well or not, the PPA Asia announcement, the ownership beef in India and try to decide how dark is too dark to play - has anyone asked Ben Johns?
Here is the latest pickleball news for you from all over the world.
Dallas & St. Louis Stars Dominate as MLP Standings Get a Post-Columbus Jolt
Columbus, Ohio – The 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) Columbus event significantly reshaped the Premier Division standings, with players from Dallas Flash Pickleball and St. Louis Shock delivering standout performances.
In the men's division, JW Johnson of Dallas Flash Pickleball posted an impressive 7-1 record. Gabriel Tardio of St. Louis Shock also shone with a 14-2 record, while Federico Staksrud of Orlando Squeeze achieved 17 wins over 22 matches. Other players like Hayden Patriquin, Eric Oncins, Will Howells, and Augustus Ge also showed strong win rates.
For the women, Jorja Johnson of Dallas Flash Pickleball led the field with a perfect 8-0 record, earning the highest match and point win percentages. Anna Bright from St. Louis Shock was dominant with 15 wins in 16 matches, followed by Tyra Hurricane Black (Dallas Flash) with a 7-1 record and Kate Fahey (St. Louis Shock) with 14 wins in 16 matches. Anna Leigh Waters also maintained a strong win rate.
These performances boosted teams like Dallas Flash Pickleball and St. Louis Shock in the rankings. Orlando Squeeze also topped the team standings with nine wins. The event highlighted the growing competitiveness in the sport and is expected to influence future team strategies and potential player movements.
Cincinnati's Golden Ticket Drama: Quarterfinal Victories Propel Players Closer to Nationals
Cincinnati, Ohio – The 2025 APP Vlasic Classic Cincinnati, a pivotal USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, saw intense quarterfinal action on May 8, with several players securing crucial wins to advance closer to a national championship berth.
In the men's pro singles, Ammar Wazir of the United States delivered a commanding performance, defeating fellow American John Cangelosi in straight games (15-4, 15-11) to reach the semifinals. India's Armaan Bhatia clinched a thrilling two-game victory over Brandon Lane of the U.S., winning 16-14, 15-13 in a tight contest. Eduardo Irizarry from Puerto Rico also earned his spot, besting Richard Livornese Jr of the United States (15-7, 15-13). Rounding out the semifinalists was Grayson Goldin of the U.S., who won a hard-fought three-game battle against Ryler Deheart (15-4, 12-15, 15-7).
These quarterfinal victories were critical steps for the athletes, propelling them into the semifinal round of this significant APP tour event and keeping their hopes alive for a coveted spot in the national championships.
From Champion to Student: English Nationals Winner Ellie Tomkinson Balances Pickleball Glory and A-Levels
England – Just days after being crowned the English Nationals Singles women's champion, Ellie Tomkinson has returned to a different kind of test: her A-level exams. Tomkinson secured the title by defeating multiple-time champion Thaddea Lock in a hard-fought final with scores of 11-4, 4-11, 11-9.
Tomkinson admitted she had no expectations going into the tournament and was surprised by her success, especially against an "amazing player" like Lock. The gold medal is now tucked away while she focuses on her studies.
The victory is seen as a significant payoff for her decision last year to sideline tennis and concentrate solely on pickleball. Looking ahead, Tomkinson is considering pursuing full-time pickleball potentially alongside studying sports psychology. For now, however, her immediate focus is completing her exams.
Star Power Ignites Telangana Pickleball: Natekar and Rakul Preet Singh Lead Ambitious Growth Plan
Telangana, India – The Amateur Telangana Pickleball Association (ATPA) recently held a significant meeting with leaders from the 2025 World Pickleball League (WPBL) and the Hyderabad Super Stars franchise to map out the promotion of pickleball across the state. The discussions were led by Arjuna Award winner and tennis champion Gaurav Natekar. The meeting included WPBL founder Ms. Charlotte, WPBL Chief Executive Officer Mr. Varma, and Hyderabad Super Stars franchise leaders, alongside ATPA core team members like former national champion Ms. Arati Ponappan.
The ambitious plan aims to grow the sport through hosting events and building infrastructure. Large venues such as LB Stadium, KVBR Indoor Stadium, and Gachibowli Indoor Stadium are slated to host events, especially during the rainy season. A key initiative is the launch of youth talent hunts for players under 14 and 19 to find and train young players. Adding a touch of glamour, popular film actor Rakul Preet Singh will serve as the brand ambassador for upcoming pickleball events in Telangana, expected to boost attention and support for the sport. This collaboration marks a new step, potentially making Telangana a strong centre for pickleball in India.
Sibu Builds Pickleball Future: New Arena and School Clubs Fuel Sport's Growth in Malaysia
Sibu, Malaysia – The Sibu Pickleball Association (SPA) is implementing a comprehensive plan to significantly boost pickleball's presence and growth across the state. Spearheaded by president Joseph Chieng, these efforts include both major infrastructure projects and grassroots development.
A centrepiece is the planned Bukit Lima Sports Arena, for which RM3 million is allocated for Phase 1 through the Rural Transformation Programme. This initial phase will feature 10 indoor pickleball courts, with a further RM2 million designated for Phase 2 beginning in 2026.
Parallel to building courts, the SPA is actively fostering young talent by helping establish pickleball clubs in 11 secondary schools within the Sibu district. This initiative is designed to integrate the sport into school activities and create a player pipeline. An inter-secondary school competition is set for early September, intended to become an annual event for identifying and nurturing future Sibu and Sarawak junior players. With strong commitment and community backing, Sibu is positioned to become a key centre for pickleball in Malaysia.
Pickleball Deserves an Emoji! Petition Calls on Apple to Recognise Fastest-Growing Sport Online
San Diego, USA – An effort is underway to convince Apple to add a dedicated pickleball emoji, with a petition launched on Change.org. Nick O’Brien, President and COO of TeachMe.To, a platform connecting students and coaches, is leading the charge. The petition aims to gather 25,000 signatures to persuade Apple to approve their specially designed emoji.
O'Brien highlights that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., particularly popular in areas like San Diego where it can be played year-round. Currently, players resort to using makeshift emojis like ping pong or tennis to discuss the sport online. Proponents argue that a dedicated emoji would not only change how people communicate about pickleball but also instantly validate the sport online, reflecting its culture. Even obscure Olympic sports have emojis, they note, making it "finally time that pickleball gets recognised".
The petition has garnered over 50 signatures to date, urging enthusiasts to support the movement for an official pickleball emoji.