Mumbai Wins IPBL, Hangzhou Crowns Champions, Global Pickleball Roundup
Good morning, pickleballers!
It's another week, which means there must have been some tournaments happening over the weekend.
There certainly were, and we have the roundups from many of them below.
Jump into that and lots of other pickleball news from around the world right away.
Zero to Hero: Mumbai Smashers Complete Historic Turnaround to Crown Inaugural IPBL Champions
New Delhi, India – In a stunning conclusion to the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) 2025, the Mumbai Smashers completed a fairytale campaign, rising from the bottom of the table to lift the championship trophy at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium. The Smashers dominated the grand finale with a decisive 5–1 victory over the Hyderabad Royals, a team that had shown remarkable resilience throughout the tournament.
The final was defined by Mumbai’s aggressive start and strategic brilliance. Quang Duong, named the Male MVP of the tournament, set the tempo by crushing Hyderabad’s Tejas Gulati 15–4 in the opening men's singles. Duong then partnered with Ammol Ramchandani to secure the men’s doubles, giving Mumbai an early 2–0 lead. Although Hyderabad’s captain and Female MVP Megan Fudge briefly revived her team's hopes with a commanding 15–5 singles victory, Mumbai’s momentum proved unstoppable. The turning point arrived in the women’s doubles, where Allison Harris and Pearl Amalsadiwala held their nerve to win 15–10, effectively shutting the door on a Royals comeback. The Smashers sealed their dominance by winning the Grand Rally 21–14, sparked by a winning hit from Harris.
The event was more than just a competition; it was a spectacle celebrating the sport's rapid rise in India. The week-long tournament featured a star-studded "All-Stars" match where celebrities and executives, including Times Group MD Vineet Jain, traded volleys with pro players. The league also drew high-profile attention from Global Pickleball Federation President Javier Regalado, who attended the finals to witness India’s growing footprint in the global pickleball arena. While Hyderabad’s Megan Fudge was lauded for her leadership and legacy, the night ultimately belonged to the Mumbai Smashers, whose journey from underdogs to the first-ever IPBL champions has set a high benchmark for future seasons.
Double Gold for Truong and Historic Silver for Mongolia at the Hangzhou Open
Hangzhou, China – The Hangzhou Open 2025, the season finale for the PPA Tour Asia, concluded with a mix of dominant performances and historic firsts. Alix Truong emerged as the undisputed star of the tournament, departing China with two gold medals. Truong showcased her versatility by winning the Women’s Doubles title alongside Zoey Wang and the Mixed Doubles championship with world number two Federico Staksrud.
In the singles categories, the tournament saw significant upsets and triumphs. Vietnam's Hoang Nam Ly capped a Cinderella run to capture the Men’s Singles gold, stunning the top-seeded Staksrud in the semifinals before defeating Hong Kong’s Jack Wong in the final. On the women's side, Australia’s Sahra Dennehy secured her second PPA Tour Asia gold, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chao Yi Wang in a masterclass of composure and skill. The Men’s Doubles title went to the dynamic pair of Hien Truong and Quan Do, who bested the formidable team of Staksrud and Armaan Bhatia.
Beyond the professional bracket, the tournament marked a significant milestone for the global growth of the sport. Mongolia claimed its first-ever medal on the PPA Tour Asia, taking home silver in the amateur 35+ division. Gantulga Zagdsuren, a board member of the Mongolian Pickleball Association, teamed up with China’s Zhu Jian Guo to reach the finals, proving that pickleball’s reach is expanding into new territories. As the PPA Tour Asia season wraps up, the Hangzhou Open highlighted the rising calibre of Asian talent and the sport's expanding international footprint.
Teenage Tycoon: 13-Year-Old Singaporean Earns Big with Pickleball Side Hustle
Singapore – While most teenagers are navigating the complexities of homework and high school social lives, 13-year-old Eleora Liang is busy running a profitable business in one of the world's fastest-growing sports. The Singaporean student has turned a side hustle selling pickleball paddles into a venture generating over SGD $2,000 per month, proving that entrepreneurial spirit knows no age limit.
Liang’s journey began at age 10 when her mother encouraged her to start a business to learn life skills. After an initial attempt selling stationery did not take off, Liang pivoted to pickleball paddles just as the sport began generating buzz in the region. With an SGD $2,000 loan from her mother, she began sourcing paddles from China and Vietnam, selling them through her own website and the marketplace platform Carousell. Today, she earns enough monthly to match that initial loan amount.
Running the business requires discipline; Liang dedicates at least four hours a day to managing inventory, updating her website, and handling logistics. She admits that the business sometimes serves as a convenient excuse to skip homework, but the financial literacy she has gained is invaluable. Her earnings are fueling her true passion: the violin. Liang recently used her profits to purchase a professional-grade violin worth SGD $5,000, inching closer to her dream of becoming a professional musician. As pickleball continues its unprecedented rise, this young entrepreneur is perfectly positioned to ride the wave of its popularity.
Filipino Trio Smashes Expectations to Take Bronze at PCL Asia
Shenzhen, China – The Philippines has made its mark on the Asian pickleball stage, securing a podium finish at the prestigious Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Asia Tournament. The "Pickle Yard" team, anchored by three standout players from Cagayan de Oro, clinched third place in a competitive field featuring 27 elite clubs from across the region.
The trio—Juan Paulo Fermin, Ian Malacaman, and Honey Gilles—demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. They advanced deep into the bracket, eventually facing the formidable Team Zhuhai from China in the semifinals. Despite a valiant effort, Pickle Yard fell to the eventual champions in a tightly contested match with scores of 18-20, 17-21, 21-19, and 15-21.
PCL Asia is considered the region's largest pickleball league, making the Philippine team's performance particularly significant. By securing bronze, the Cagayan de Oro natives have not only brought honour to their home city but have also highlighted the rising calibre of Filipino talent in the international pickleball community.
From Garage to Global: Sunshine Coast Brand Wins National Export Award
Sunshine Coast, Australia – A family-run business that began in a garage just two years ago has been recognised on the national stage for its rapid global expansion. Six Zero Pickleball, based in Birtinya, was named the winner of the Emerging Exporter category at the 2025 Australian Export Awards, celebrating its rise as a major player in the international sporting goods market.
Founded by Dale Young and his father, the company was born out of frustration with fragile equipment. Together, they engineered and tested over 180 prototypes to create durable, high-performance paddles. The dedication to quality paid off; today, the company generates $1.8 million in monthly revenue and exports to over 100 countries, including key markets in the United States, Japan, and Germany.
Dale’s wife, Dr. Tanya Young, a former research scientist, now manages operations for the brand, which is considered one of the top three in the sport globally. "In export markets, brand awareness takes time — but a world-class product speaks instantly," Dale Young noted, highlighting their focus on innovation to combat copycat products. The award underscores the significant contribution of Australian small businesses to the national economy, with Six Zero Pickleball leading the charge in sporting innovation.
Championship Winning St. Louis Shock Appoint Erik Lange as Head Coach
St. Louis, USA – The St. Louis Shock, fresh off their victory at the inaugural MLP Cup, have solidified their leadership for the future by appointing Erik Lange as head coach. The franchise announced a multi-year agreement with Lange, aiming to build upon a dominant 2025 season where the team posted an impressive 24-1 regular-season record.
Lange is no stranger to the organisation or the pressures of professional pickleball. He played for the Shock during the 2023 season and served as a bench player during their championship run in 2025. His resume includes 19 professional medals and a previous MLP title with the Chicago Slice, giving him a unique perspective on what it takes to win at the highest level.
Lange expressed his enthusiasm for leading a roster that includes stars like Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin. "Championships are the ultimate goal, and player development and personal growth will be the cornerstones of this pursuit," Lange stated. General Manager Ross Chaifetz praised the hire, noting that Lange’s strategic mind and experience are essential for maintaining the Shock’s status as the league's "north-star franchise".
Mastering the Mind Game: Psychologists Release Guide to Mental Toughness in Pickleball
Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom – For players struggling with the intense pressure of a 10-10 tiebreaker, a new book by two sports psychologists promises to unlock the secrets of mental resilience on the pickleball court. Dr. Tara Jones and Professor Graham Jones have released Gold Medal Pickleball Psychology – Master Your Mind: Raise Your Pickleball Game, a guide aimed at helping players of all levels improve their mental performance.
The husband-and-wife duo bring elite credentials to the table. Tara was the first full-time sport psychologist for Sport Wales, while Graham has worked with Olympic and World Champions. Both are avid pickleball players themselves, having transitioned from tennis and rugby backgrounds. They noticed that despite the sport's fun reputation, many players—from recreational courts to tournaments—struggled with anger and anxiety during matches.
"You could almost walk on the court and believe so much that you’re going to win, or conversely the opposite," Tara Jones explained, noting how quickly momentum shifts in pickleball require specific psychological tools. The book, endorsed by top players like Louis Laville, argues that mental toughness isn't just an innate trait but a skill that can be developed to handle nerves and pressure in social and competitive settings alike.