Turkovic Triumphs, MLP Finals Set & Global Pickleball Expands

Good morning, pickleballers!

Where have the last two weeks gone?!

A mix of our team being at the English Open, holidays and running coaching workshops explains the lack of World Pickleball News so far in August - but we are back with the latest from the weekend's action.

We will also record a podcast early this week to discuss everything that has been missed so far - including, an incredible English Open.

So, get reading!

Turkovic Triumphs at English OPEN, Eyes Global Growth for Pickleball

Telford, England – Domenika Turkovic, 25, has been crowned the English OPEN women’s champion, securing a decisive victory over Sofia Sewing in the final. Her success extends beyond the singles court, as she also reached the bronze-medal match in mixed doubles with Pep Canyadell and the quarter-finals of women’s doubles alongside Lorena Duknic. Turkovic, a former college tennis player, revealed her decision to compete in Telford was a last-minute entry, yet it "worked perfectly with the schedule". She expressed immense pride in her progress and results, particularly given her unexpected performance, stating, "I did not expect to do so well!".

Born in Croatia, Turkovic transitioned to pickleball after her college tennis career in the USA, initially coaching the sport before discovering her talent and competitive drive. She credits her tennis background for equipping her to handle the pressures of professional play, including nerves, wins, and losses. Now a full-time professional on the APP Tour, Turkovic plans to continue competing globally. Beyond her personal aspirations, she is passionately focused on popularising pickleball in her home country of Croatia, hoping to build awareness and encourage participation across all age groups, from children to the older community, emphasising its benefits for health, social connection, and activity. She aims to contribute to Team Croatia's performance at the upcoming European Championships in Rome.

Premier Teams Secure Spots in MLP Finals, Challenger Contenders Emerge

San Diego, USA – The Major League Pickleball (MLP) playoffs in San Diego have concluded their quarterfinal rounds, setting the stage for the 2025 MLP Finals in New York City. The Premier Level saw two teams eliminated in the first round: the Miami Pickleball Club and the Utah Black Diamonds. Advancing to the Premier Level semifinals in New York are the No. 1 St. Louis Shock, No. 2 New Jersey 5s, No. 3 Columbus Sliders, and No. 4 Los Angeles Mad Drops.

The St. Louis Shock dominated the Orlando Squeeze, securing their spot with a 3-0 and 3-1 series sweep. The Columbus Sliders delivered a surprising upset against the No. 2 Dallas Flash, winning their best-of-three series 3-2 after two intense Dreambreakers. The New Jersey 5s dispatched the Texas Ranchers 3-0 and 3-2, while the Los Angeles Mad Drops confidently swept the No. 4 Brooklyn Pickleball Team 3-0 before closing the series 3-1, showcasing strong performances from key players like Ben Johns. St. Louis, as the top seed, will have the strategic advantage of choosing their semifinal opponent between Columbus or Los Angeles. In the Challenger Level, the No. 1 Las Vegas Night Owls and No. 2 Nashville Chefs have advanced to the final in New York City, after decisive victories over the Bay Area Breakers and California Black Bears, respectively.

Pro Pickleball Faces Contract Shake-Up with New Incentive-Based Deals

United States – Professional pickleball is undergoing a significant shake-up as the United Pickleball Association (UPA) introduces new incentive-based player contracts, moving away from fully guaranteed deals. This shift, reminiscent of the "Tour Wars" of 2023, is designed to align player compensation more closely with on-court performance and prize money earnings. Players are now faced with critical decisions, with an August 15 deadline to sign for access to the lucrative "Gold" Prize money grid, offering up to $45,000 for winning a slam. Signing by September 23rd provides access to a standard grid, while failing to sign may result in significantly reduced prize money or continuation of existing contracts through 2026.

Several prominent players have already signed their extensions, including Tyra Black (4 years), Federico Staksrud (4 years), Catherine Parenteau (5 years), Tyson McGuffin (2 years), Jack Sock, Hayden Patriquin, and Anna Bright. However, notable names like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters have yet to be announced, raising questions about the future landscape of the professional tours. The UPA aims to get a critical mass of players to sign these new deals to facilitate the transition to a prize-money-driven model, avoiding a scenario where players with large guaranteed contracts compete alongside those on performance-based earnings. The implications for players, particularly those involved with the World Pickleball Players Association (WPPA), remain a key storyline as the sport evolves.

Hyderabad Launches Ambitious Pickleball League with Million-Rupee Prizes

Hyderabad, India – The city of Hyderabad is poised to host its first-ever Hyderabad Pickleball League (HPL), a professional tournament set to electrify the local sports scene from October 10 to November 28. Organised by Centrecourt Sports & Entertainment, the league will feature eight franchise teams competing in a round-robin format, culminating in playoffs similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL). A substantial prize pool of Rs 12 lakh awaits the champions, with the winning team taking home a hefty Rs 6 lakh, the runner-up Rs 3 lakh, and the third-place team Rs 1.20 lakh.

A key highlight of the HPL is its live player auction, scheduled for August 20, where team owners will bid for players from a registered pool. Each franchise has a budget of Rs 3 lakh to acquire nine players, with base prices ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 based on player category. Teams will comprise 10 players, including an icon player, two women, and one player over 35. The league aims to elevate the level of competition, professionally showcase the city’s top players, and provide structured compensation, coaching, and team environments. By engaging fans through live streaming and social media, the HPL seeks to increase pickleball’s visibility and bring it closer to mainstream sports in India.

Golden Triangle Pickleball Unveils "Play with Purpose" Tour in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand – Golden Triangle Pickleball has announced its unique "Play with Purpose Tour," an exclusive 10-day experience from January 15 to 24, 2026, combining a relaxing getaway with engaging pickleball action. This initiative is a social enterprise founded by Friends of Thai Daughters (FTD), dedicated to preventing child trafficking and empowering at-risk girls in Thailand's Golden Triangle region. The tour directly generates funding and hands-on opportunities for FTD and the wider community.

The journey begins with two nights in Bangkok before moving to Chiang Rai, home to two picturesque pickleball venues: Sunflower Farm and Jasmine Farm. Sunflower Farm boasts the first covered pickleball courts in Northern Thailand, alongside an organic farm and swimming pool, while Jasmine Farm offers a new sports and community center with a farm-to-table café. Beyond the courts, participants will have the opportunity to interact with FTD, enjoy an overnight stay at the exclusive Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (home to rescued elephants), and conclude their trip with a luxurious stay at Tantawan Tented Camp. Every booking directly supports FTD's vital mission, with the farms also generating sustainable income and job training for FTD graduates.

Goodland Pickleball Announces Massive Asia Expansion with Seven New Facilities

Bangkok, Thailand – Goodland Pickleball, a leading premium facility operator with a presence in New York City and India, has revealed its largest expansion to date, launching seven new premium locations across India and Thailand. This strategic move solidifies Goodland’s commitment to establishing itself as a premier pickleball destination in Asia's rapidly growing markets.

The expansion is spearheaded by the flagship Bangkok Superclub, set to open in September 2025. Located in a central district, this 15,000-square-foot facility will feature six world-class courts, a state-of-the-art recovery centre, premium lounge areas, and a full-service bar, catering to both Bangkok's large expatriate community and local enthusiasts. In India, Goodland is strengthening its domestic leadership with six new facilities. Three are already open in Mumbai (Andheri West) with multiple outdoor courts, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) boasting floodlit courts, and a four-court facility in Haryana (National Capital Region). Upcoming openings later this year include the Noida Superclub (six courts with an integrated food centre), the Vadodara Superclub (five courts with dining services), and a unique Gwalior Rooftop venue opening in September 2025. Four of these new locations, including the Bangkok Superclub, will operate under Goodland’s successful franchise model, attracting "incredibly strong" interest from partners across 15 Asian markets.

Midland Celebrates Debut Success of APP Great Lakes Open

Midland, USA – The Greater Midland Tennis Centre successfully hosted the APP Great Lakes Open for the first time, drawing enthusiastic pickleball fans for five championship matches. Executive Director Jeff Rekeweg expressed immense pride in how his staff and the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) collaborated to organise the event in just four months, after a planned Los Angeles stop was cancelled.

Midland was chosen due to its proven track record of hosting major sporting events, including the Dow Tennis Classic and the LPGA’s Dow Championship. Rekeweg noted the unique atmosphere of professional pickleball compared to tennis, highlighting the closer proximity for fans and the sport's encouragement of more audience noise, which he described as "a lot of fun". Despite challenges like hot weather and competition from the Midland County Fair earlier in the week, Sunday’s finals saw a strong turnout, energising both players and spectators. The success of this inaugural event has demonstrated Midland’s ability to quickly adapt and host high-level professional pickleball, with the strong community support and partnerships suggesting the APP Great Lakes Open could become a regular fixture on the APP Tour in the years to come.

Sewing, Diamond, and Wazir Shine on Championship Sunday at APP Great Lakes Open

Midland, USA – The 2025 APP Great Lakes Open culminated in a thrilling Championship Sunday at the Greater Midland Tennis Center, featuring five exhilarating pro-level matches. Sofia Sewing was a standout performer, capturing two gold medals – one in women’s doubles with Bobbi Oshiro and another in mixed doubles with Casey Diamond, who clinched his first career APP Tour title.

Ammar Wazir also earned his first career APP Tour gold medal, triumphing in men’s singles. In a repeat victory, Katerina Stewart successfully defended her women’s singles title, marking her second consecutive gold. The men’s doubles final saw Richard Livornese, Jr. and Tanner Tomassi secure their second straight gold as a team. The tournament also showcased strong performances from other medalists, including Bobbi Oshiro (women's doubles gold, mixed doubles silver), Dusty Boyer (men's singles silver), and Jill Braverman (women's doubles bronze, mixed doubles bronze). Beyond the professional divisions, the event hosted a large field of amateur players, as well as AARP Champions and Masters Pro Divisions, and junior U13 and U16 divisions, highlighting the sport's widespread appeal. Gold medalists earned a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket for pre-registration to the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championships, while all amateur medalists secured an APP Passport for the 2025 APP Tour Championships.

Jaume Martinez Vich Joins Adidas Pickleball, Unleashes New Power Game

United States – The pickleball world is buzzing with the official announcement of Jaume Martinez Vich’s partnership with Adidas Pickleball. Whispers began circulating after Martinez Vich was seen playing with a new Adidas-emblazoned paddle at the PPA Bristol tournament, and the news was confirmed as both he and Adidas made the collaboration Instagram official. Adidas celebrated the Spanish talent, citing his "skill, passion, and being an ultimate showman on the court" as a perfect fit for their roster.

Martinez Vich revealed his attraction to Adidas stemmed from their global vision and reach, stating his desire to partner with a company that not only provides superior gear but also shares his commitment to expanding pickleball worldwide. The partnership also signals exciting developments for Adidas’s paddle line, which is generating considerable hype. Martinez Vich, previously the face of Six Zero paddles, is particularly excited about the new foam-injected core technology in Adidas paddles, a feature he hasn't experienced before. As a self-described "crafty player," he believes this new technology will allow him to "add a power side to my game," opening up "new weapons" for his play. This strategic move promises to elevate Martinez Vich's game and Adidas's presence in the competitive pickleball market.

Major League Pickleball Embraces Betting with Polymarket Partnership

San Diego, USA – In a groundbreaking move for the sport, Major League Pickleball (MLP) has officially partnered with Polymarket, the world’s largest prediction market. This collaboration marks the first time in MLP history that betting odds are being offered on teams, debuting in conjunction with the Toray MLP San Diego Playoffs, which ran from August 15-17.

Polymarket allows users to buy and sell shares representing future event outcomes, providing a unique platform for fans to engage with the sport and profit from their knowledge. Currently, four different MLP markets are available, including the overall Major League Pickleball winner, who makes the NYC Final Four, and specific first-round matchups. While currently available only internationally, this partnership is a significant pilot project for MLP as the league explores expanding betting opportunities to a wider audience. The platform is designed for simplicity, allowing users to pick a market, place a bet using various funding methods, and redeem winning shares. Additionally, MLP plans to embed the Pickleballtv broadcast stream directly onto Polymarket, enabling users to watch the action and engage with predictions seamlessly within the platform.

MLP Australia Shuffles Rosters Midseason, Igniting Second Half

Australia – The 2025 Major League Pickleball Australia (MLPA) season has reached its halfway mark, marked by an anticipated midseason shuffle draft that has dramatically reshaped team rosters and injected new energy into the league. Team captains and members strategically added fresh talent, aiming to strengthen their squads for a thrilling run to the finals.

Among the headline moves, Bondi secured US pro Max Manthou, along with Kiwi powerhouse Katherine Westbury and technician Louis Laville. The Stars made a bold play by adding Victorian Katerina Valos, Japanese sensation Mayu Ito, and 3x MLPA champion Rob Stirling, positioning themselves as genuine finals contenders. The Aces brought in international talent Ekaterina Biakina and US Pro Jason Bock. Asian representation also increased significantly, with Yufei Long joining Sydney, Nok Yiu Tang making her debut for the Breakers, Ken (Ho) Tam (Vietnam) and Ruben A Gonzales Jr (Filipino-American) joining Surge, and Malaysian powerhouse Jimmy Liong added to the Crocs. Notably, Glory landed a marquee signing in American pro Rob Nunnery, joined by South Korea’s Mihae Kwon. This midseason shake-up promises early turbulence as new partnerships form, but also the potential for breakout performances, ensuring intense competition at the upcoming Queensland Slam from September 11-14, 2025, as teams battle for coveted finals spots.

Malaysia Unveils State-of-the-Art Pickleball Ecosystem at Mothership Facility

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Picklefox, in partnership with global paddle brand Six Zero, has officially launched Mothership, arguably Malaysia’s most advanced pickleball ecosystem to date. Located in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, this state-of-the-art facility boasts international tournament-standard courts featuring pro-grade surfaces, Selkirk Sport nets, professional lighting, and cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) performance analytics.

Janet Teo, CEO and Founder of Mothership, emphasised that the collaboration with Six Zero is driven by a shared vision to elevate pickleball standards in Malaysia and foster national and regional excellence. The facility is designed to cater to players of all levels, from casual enthusiasts to aspiring professionals, providing a comprehensive environment for structured training, competitive development, and community play. A standout feature is LaunchPad, Malaysia’s first structured talent development initiative for pickleball, sponsored by U Mobile, which offers data-driven pathways for athletes to advance their careers. Complementing the facility, Six Zero has also unveiled two new high-performance paddles—the Black Opal with a patent-pending floating solid core, and the Ruby Pro designed for elite play—available exclusively at Mothership and Picklefox, giving Malaysian players first access to this innovative gear. Mothership is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 12 midnight, inviting all pickleball players to experience its world-class offerings.

Florida's Floating Pickleball Court Proves a Smashing Success, Extended Through September

San Antonio, USA – The world’s first-ever floating pickleball court at Mirada Lagoon in San Antonio, Florida, has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, leading to its extended operation until September 3, 2025, through Labor Day Weekend. Debuted by Florida’s Sports Coast, this unique court, designed by AquaBanas and Pickleball Bana, offers a surprisingly even and sturdy playing surface despite floating on water.

The regulation-size court, comparable to those used in professional tournaments, is surrounded by netted walls to keep balls in play and features connecting covered seating and viewing platforms. David Heaton, Vice President of Operations for Metro Lagoons, noted that the attraction has been equally popular among "hardcore pickleballers" and families seeking casual fun, exceeding expectations for its reception. The success has led to discussions about potentially making the floating court a permanent fixture at the Mirada Lagoon, offering a continuous, one-of-a-kind pickleball adventure for players worldwide.

Sansan Fukuoka Open Attracts Global Pickleball Stars to Japan

Fukuoka, Japan – The Sansan Fukuoka Open 2025 is set to bring a wave of pickleball excitement to Japan, as the tournament announces its pro lineup featuring both regional and global stars ready to compete on the PPA Tour Asia courts. Leading the men's singles field as a Host Wildcard and top seed is Connor Garnett, the world No. 3 ranked PPA Tour singles player, who brings two US singles gold medals to his Asian debut. Garnett will also team up with Tyler Loong (No. 20 PPA Tour Men’s Doubles) in the men's doubles, forming a formidable duo.

On the women's side, Allyce Jones, the No. 8 Women’s Doubles player from the PPA Tour, will provide ample entertainment, partnering with Connor Garnett in mixed doubles and Pei Chuan Kao in women's doubles. Local talent is also poised to make a strong showing, with Daniel Moore and Kei Sawaki receiving a Local Wildcard in mixed doubles, showcasing a blend of experience and youth. The tournament will also feature the PPA Wildcard duo of Japan’s Kenta Miyoshi and Vietnam’s Sophia Tran, alongside local singles wildcards Nasa Hatakeyama and Mayu Ito, all aiming to capitalise on home-court advantage for deep runs in their respective events.

Senior Athletes Dominate 2025 APP Great Lakes Open with Multiple Gold Medals

Midland, USA – Veteran athletes delivered a series of standout performances at the 2025 APP Great Lakes Open, showcasing the exceptional talent and competitive spirit within the senior pickleball ranks. Held at the Greater Midland Tennis Center, the AARP Champions (50+) and AARP Masters (60+) divisions saw players collecting multiple gold medals across singles and doubles competitions.

In the AARP Champions Division (50+), Lee Whitwell achieved a remarkable triple crown, earning gold in women’s singles, mixed doubles with Jaime Oncins, and women’s doubles alongside Teresa Tarn. Yousseff Bouzidi also demonstrated his dominance, securing two gold medals in men’s singles and men’s doubles with Jose Derisi. The AARP Masters Division (60+) witnessed similar success, with Dan Granot, Anna Shirley, and Howard Mendel each claiming two gold medals. Additionally, Yannet Brister added to the medal haul, winning women’s doubles gold with Anna Shirley and a silver in mixed doubles. These results underscore the growing depth of talent and the exciting, competitive matches that define the senior divisions within the APP Tour, further enhancing its prestige.