Philippines Grand Slam, Ambani Viral Video & Asia Pickleball news
Philippines Launches Epic Year-Long Grand Slam Pickleball Series Kicking Off June 2025
Dasmariñas, Philippines – The pickleball craze in the Philippines is set to heat up significantly with the launch of the Grand Slam 2025 Invitational Pickleball League. Organised by Dasmariñas Pickleball and CrossCourt Sports with support from Vatic Pro Philippines, this extensive tournament series will run from June to December 2025. The league features four qualifying slams held across different venues leading up to a championship event. The first slam is scheduled for June 2025 at Pickleball HQ, followed by events in August (Powerhouse Pickleball and Badminton Centre), October (Revel Grove), and November (Pickle Yard Dasma). The championship venue for December is yet to be announced. The league will include men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles categories for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players. The opening weekend in June will see beginners compete on the 15th, intermediate on the 22nd, and advanced on the 29th. Registration is open until May 30, 2025, with a nonrefundable fee of ₱1,400 per player, which covers a league shirt, souvenir, food and drinks, and championship entry if qualified.
India's Pickleball Boom Continues: Newly Recognised NSF Announces Jam-Packed Summer Tournament Season Amidst Court Challenge
New Delhi, India – The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), recently recognised as the national sports federation (NSF) for pickleball by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), has announced a busy summer schedule of tournaments. These events are designed for players of all skill levels – amateurs, seasoned pros, and those in between – to provide competitive platforms, build community, and fuel the sport's growth in India. The summer slate includes multiple tournaments across various cities. Notably, New Delhi will host the PWR 100 – RAPA and Bharat Pickleball Tournament on May 24th and 25th, and the PWR 200 – The Pickle-Padel Cleanse on June 7th and 8th. Hyderabad hosts the PWR 50 – Ready Set Pickle Tournament 3.0 on June 7th and 8th, while Chennai will see the PWR 200 – Pro Indian Masters Open from June 10th to 15th. Despite this ambitious schedule, the IPA's NSF status is being challenged in the Delhi High Court by the All India Pickleball Association, which has led the court to request relevant documents from MYAS. However, as of now, the announced tournaments are proceeding as planned.
Dallas Flash Dominates MLP Austin, Proving Women's Doubles is the True Key to Championship Success
Austin, USA – MLP Austin recently wrapped up, showcasing intense Premier-level competition among teams like New Jersey, Dallas, Texas, Orlando, and Miami. The Dallas Flash delivered a dominant performance, finishing the event with a perfect 4-0 record and securing 10 team points. They achieved easy wins against Orlando and Miami and clinched victories against Texas and New Jersey in thrilling DreamBreakers. Jorja Johnson was a standout player for Dallas, losing only one game throughout the event and notably defeating Anna Leigh Waters in their singles match during the DreamBreaker against New Jersey. The Flash's deep roster was highlighted as a key factor in their continued success, building on their 2024 championship form. This event reinforced the observation that the quality of a team's women's doubles pair is crucial for championship aspirations in MLP. The top teams in the league, including Dallas and New Jersey, are noted to possess the strongest women's doubles teams. Following Austin, St. Louis slightly surpassed Dallas in points per match, setting up an anticipated season-long battle for the top two regular-season spots which offer advantageous playoff paths.
Viral Sensation: India's Power Couple, Akash & Shloka Ambani, Show Off Sporty Side Playing Pickleball; Fans Praise Shloka's Fitness
Mumbai, India – A recent video featuring one of India's most prominent couples, Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta, engaging in a pickleball match has gone viral, captivating fans. The video offers a rare glimpse of the couple in a casual and energetic setting, both seen actively playing the sport in sportswear. Fans particularly lauded Shloka Mehta's sporty appearance, energy, and visible fitness. Admirers commented on her simplicity and grace on the court, highlighting her active lifestyle as inspiring and viewing her as a role model for blending fitness with fashion. The viral clip provided insight into the younger generation of the Ambani family, emphasising their focus on health and physical activity alongside their business endeavours. Akash and Shloka, who have known each other since childhood and are now parents to a son and a daughter, were called the "cutest and most perfect pair" by delighted fans after the video surfaced.
Asia Pickleball Pulse: Exciting New Tournaments Launched Across Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and the Philippines
Asia – The pickleball landscape across Asia is rapidly expanding, with several new tournaments recently announced or highlighted. This surge of events underscores the sport's growing popularity throughout the region. Singapore is set to host the Pickle Slam 2025, an outdoor tournament launched by PickleGo. Malaysia is also seeing significant activity, with the PCCC YES launching the Grand Pickleball Masters Malaysia 2025, featuring both junior and adult categories, and the announcement of the Balakong Pickleball Championship 2025 by the Bangi Pickleball Club and Persatuan Sukarelawan Sg Long. The Panas Cup 2025 in Malaysia was highlighted as a "defining event" earlier this year. World-class pickleball is also returning to South Korea with the 2025 WPC Korea event scheduled for June. Meanwhile, the Philippines is gearing up for major events like the Pickleball Super Series by SM Supermalls and Toby’s Sports, which is reported as "All Systems Go," and the extensive year-long Grand Slam 2025 Invitational League. These tournaments collectively demonstrate the vibrant and expanding competitive pickleball scene across multiple Asian nations.
Beyond the Game: Asia's Dedicated Pickleball Ref Makes Sacrifice; Rising Star Excels in Two Sports
Asia – Beyond the major tournaments and professional leagues, individual stories highlight the dedication and emerging talent within Asia's pickleball community. Pickleball Ref John Ng is noted for making an "Ultimate Sacrifice" in his efforts to foster the sport's growth across the continent. His dedication includes an appeal for empathy and tolerance among picklers, emphasising the community aspect alongside competition. In another inspiring individual narrative, Mikaeel Ali Baig is recognised as a "Two-Sport Star in the Making". Baig is successfully excelling in both tennis and is simultaneously experiencing a rapid rise in the world of pickleball. These personal stories offer a glimpse into the diverse ways individuals are contributing to and making their mark within the burgeoning pickleball scene throughout Asia.