Pickleball News: MLP dreams and trades, China exchange, SpotON line calls
Good morning, pickleballers!
And what a lovely Wednesday morning it is here at WPM HQ - the sun is shining, we have an interview lined up for next month's magazine and exciting things are being lined up for April (more to be revealed soon!)
As ever, we have all the latest pickleball news for you in this World Pickleball Report.
So, let's crack on with it.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Joe James has delved deeper into a news story from yesterday - you can go here to see what his thoughts are on Karnataka Pickleball Association's plans to expand following their recent success in India.
Dallas Flash and DUPR Forge "Road to Minors": Dream of MLP Spot Now Within Reach for Amateurs
Pickleball enthusiasts in Texas and surrounding states have a new and exciting pathway to professional competition with the launch of the Road to Minors (RTM) Tournament Series. This groundbreaking initiative is a collaboration between the Dallas Flash, the 2024 Major League Pickleball (MLP) champions, and Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR). The program aims to develop local pickleball talent by offering amateur players a structured route to potentially join the Dallas Flash’s Minor League Pickleball (MLP) team.
The RTM series kicks off with its first event in North Texas on March 22-23, 2025. Players will compete for a chance to advance to the Minor League Pickleball Midsouth Regional Showdown on June 28-29. The year-long program will culminate in the RTM Cup tournament, where participants can qualify for The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship in December 2025.
Mark Molthan, owner of the Dallas Flash, emphasized the program's role in community engagement and player development. Caroline Luelf, Director of Minor League Pickleball at DUPR, highlighted the partnership's significance in expanding competitive pickleball opportunities. In addition to tournament play, RTM participants will receive special perks at the MLP Dallas Event scheduled for July 23-27, 2025. Registration for the Road to Minors series is currently open through Pickleball.com, with early sign-up encouraged due to limited spots. This initiative marks the first year-round program dedicated to scouting and developing local pickleball talent for Minor League Pickleball teams.
Texas Open Turns Upside Down: Underdogs Triumph as Familiar Faces Fall in Windy Battles
The CIBC Texas Open presented by Fasenra lived up to its name, delivering a weekend of unpredictable pickleball where strong winds played a significant role in shaking up the expected outcomes. Several top seeds and familiar faces were stunned by determined underdogs.
In men’s singles, Zane Ford caused a major shock by eliminating Ben Johns. Another rising star, John Lucian Goins, continued his impressive run by defeating Gabe Tardio. Christian Alshon, however, bucked the trend, maintaining his strong form to secure his second consecutive gold medal in men’s singles.
The women’s doubles bracket also witnessed a significant upset as the #5 seed Callie Smith and Etta Tuionetoa defeated the top seed of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau. Ultimately, the women’s doubles title went to the #3 seed Tyra Black and Parris Todd, with Black earning her first PPA women’s gold. Even in mixed doubles, though Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters won, Eric Oncins and Alix Truong made a Cinderella run to the semifinals, even taking down higher seeds. The windy conditions clearly levelled the playing field, leading to a memorable tournament filled with surprises.
India's Pickleball Power Surge: Globalsports Athletes Conquer Asia with Stunning Medal Haul
Indian pickleball is making waves on the international stage as athletes from Globalsports India delivered a remarkable performance at the Asia Pickleball Open in Pattaya, Thailand. Competing in the prestigious World Pickleball Series event, the team secured an impressive collection of medals across multiple skill levels, from Intermediate (3.5) to Professional (5.0).
Himanshu Deveskar led the charge, clinching two gold medals in the 35+ Open Men’s Doubles and the 35+ Open Men’s Singles. Former Tennis National Champion Mihika Yadav earned a silver medal in the 19+ Open Women’s Singles. Shraddha Damani showcased exceptional talent with three medals: gold in the 35+ Women’s Singles (Advanced 4.5), bronze in the 35+ Open Women’s Singles (Professional 5.0), and another gold in the 35+ Mixed Doubles (Advanced 4.5).
The victories highlight India’s growing dominance in the sport, particularly at the 4.5 and 5.0 levels. Hemal Jain, Founder of Globalsports Pickleball, emphasized the organization’s commitment to elevating Indian pickleball globally. This outstanding performance at the Asia Pickleball Open solidifies India's position as a rising force in the world of pickleball.
Mental Fortitude and Backhand Brilliance: The Secrets Behind Alshon's Back-to-Back Singles Gold
Christian Alshon has emerged as a dominant force in men's singles pickleball, securing consecutive gold medals at the Veolia Cape Coral Open and the CIBC Texas Open. This remarkable achievement, especially after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for much of 2024, highlights his improved game and mental toughness.
Alshon credits his recent success to focused training on his two-handed backhand. Beyond physical prowess, he emphasizes the critical role of his mental game, actively working to "stay neutral" and control his emotions during intense matches. A long-time practitioner of daily meditation, which he began at 16, Alshon believes this practice significantly enhances his overall performance. He employs techniques learned in college, such as identifying surrounding sounds, to quiet his mind.
At the CIBC Texas Open, the #7 seeded Alshon showcased his improved backhand and mental fortitude by defeating the #1 seed Federico Staksrud in the final. Even when facing challenges, such as Zane Ford pushing him to three games in the quarterfinals, Alshon's ability to maintain focus and execute his shots, particularly his refined backhand, proved to be the winning formula for back-to-back PPA Tour singles titles.
Pickleball Goes Global: MCPS Students Serve Up Cultural Exchange in China
Thirty-one student-athletes from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are set to embark on a unique global exchange program, travelling to China from April 9-21, 2025, to promote cultural understanding through pickleball. This initiative marks MCPS as the first school district in the U.S. to offer pickleball as a varsity sport. The students will visit Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing, participating in friendly competitions and engaging in cultural experiences.
The exchange aims to leverage pickleball's inclusive nature to bridge cultural gaps and foster international connections. In preparation for the trip, the student-athletes are actively involved in weekly pickleball practices and cultural engagement sessions. The program has garnered support from key partners such as Dill Dinkers, which is providing training sessions, and JOOLA, the world’s largest pickleball company, which is supplying paddles and apparel. Jeffrey Sullivan, MCPS Director of Systemwide Athletics, emphasized the opportunity to showcase how athletics can bring people together on a global scale. This pioneering trip signifies the growing reach of pickleball and its potential to facilitate youth development and international goodwill.
MLP Trade Frenzy: Utah Nabs Jones, Bay Area Lands Truong in Latest Roster Shuffle
Major League Pickleball (MLP) continues its flurry of preseason activity with a notable trade announced on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, during the second trade window. The Utah Black Diamonds (Premier) have acquired Allyce Jones, while the Bay Area Breakers (Challenger) have landed Alix Truong.
This move brings Jones, a player known for her consistent deep runs, especially in women’s doubles, to the Utah Premier level team. Analysts suggest she is deserving of a starting spot and could potentially reunite with Connor Garnett in mixed doubles, with whom she has previously had success. Utah's women’s doubles lineup could see Jones partnering with collegiate pickleball star Mehvish Safdar.
For the Bay Area Breakers, the acquisition of Truong adds valuable MLP experience to their Challenger-level roster, which has been actively reshaped with recent trades including Danna Funaro and DJ Young. Truong is coming off a strong showing at the PPA Texas Open, reaching the mixed doubles semifinals. Analysts view this trade as potentially even, perhaps with a slight edge to Bay Area. These latest roster moves highlight the strategic manoeuvring teams are undertaking as the MLP season opener in Orlando approaches.
Say Goodbye to Close Calls: PPA Tour's SpotON Ushers in Era of Unquestionable Line Accuracy
The PPA Tour has ushered in a new era of officiating accuracy with the debut of its SpotON video replay system. First implemented on Championship Sunday, SpotON aims to eliminate disputed line calls by providing a clear visual representation of where the ball lands. The system displays a replay alongside a digital mark, using a green dot to indicate an "in" call (any part of the ball touching the line) and a red dot for an "out" call (ball completely outside the line).
This technological advancement follows the PPA Tour's decision not to renew its contract with Close Call Replay. The need for such a system was recently highlighted by a disputed call during a women’s singles match. SpotON is expected to increase transparency and fairness in match decisions, leading to fewer disagreements between players and officials. The PPA Tour's investment in this technology underscores its commitment to the integrity of the sport and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors. As the system evolves, it has the potential to become a standard feature in professional pickleball events.
Pioneer Woman Swaps Recipes for Dink Shots in Hilarious Pickleball Debut
Ree Drummond, the beloved Pioneer Woman, traded her culinary expertise for some on-court action, making her pickleball debut on March 18th. The inaugural match saw Drummond team up with her daughter, Alex Drummond Scott, to take on son-in-law Mauricio Scott. The sunset showdown was a family affair, with their dogs comically roaming the court, adding an unexpected "goat yoga but it’s dog pickleball" element, as Drummond quipped.
Drummond shared the fun-filled experience on Instagram, admitting that Mauricio initially "creamed" them, though they managed a small victory later. In a lighthearted caption, she highlighted her "decent shots" and jokingly wondered about Mauricio's perspective. Baby Sofia, her three-month-old granddaughter, watched the entertaining spectacle from the sidelines.
Despite the playful atmosphere, Drummond seemed to enjoy her first taste of pickleball, extending an open invitation for others to join her on the court, noting that it's "not Ladd’s cup of tea". Alex even chimed in, suggesting getting her father involved next. This delightful introduction to pickleball for the Pioneer Woman adds another layer to her relatable persona and showcases the sport's growing appeal beyond traditional athletes.
Pickleball Mania Sweeps America: Nearly 20 Million Now Playing as Sport's Growth Shatters Records
Pickleball's unprecedented surge in popularity continues to redefine the American sporting landscape, with a newly released report revealing a staggering 19.8 million participants in the U.S. in 2024. This marks a 45.8% increase from 2023 and an astounding 311% growth over the past three years, solidifying its position as America’s fastest-growing sport for the fourth consecutive year.
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) report highlights the sport's widespread appeal, attracting both 13.6 million casual players and 6.2 million core players. This explosive growth, with an average annual increase of 43.9% since 2019, far outpaces any other recreational sport.
Analysts attribute this "pickleball mania" to its accessibility across all ages and skill levels, its simple rules, and the growing demand for dedicated pickleball facilities. The burgeoning professional pickleball scene, attracting investors and sponsors, further fuels the sport's mainstream appeal. While infrastructure development remains a key challenge, the future of pickleball in America looks bright, with millions of new players joining the craze each year.
Susannah's Secret Weapon Revealed: Master the Forehand Roll Volley and Dominate the Kitchen
APP pro Susannah Barr is sharing her "secret sauce" for success at the kitchen line: the forehand roll volley. In her latest coaching insight, Barr highlights this technique as crucial for handling balls that drop below shoulder or net height, a common occurrence in pickleball. Many players mistakenly resort to punch volleys for these lower balls, but the roll volley offers superior attack and spin.
The key to the roll volley lies in the technique. Players should open their paddle face and shoulder, imagining they are pushing a couch. The paddle then moves in a low-to-high motion, like a windshield wiper, without breaking the wrist or changing the paddle face direction. This generates crucial topspin, allowing players to roll the ball down to their opponents' feet, forcing errors or weak pop-ups.
Barr emphasizes that the roll volley isn't always a put-away shot but often a strategic move to set up the next opportunity. Mastering this technique through deliberate practice, alternating between punch and roll volleys based on ball height, will lead to fewer errors and more dominance at the kitchen line.
Cayman Islands Heat Up: APP Tour Makes Island Debut with Top Pros Ready to Rumble
The APP (Association of Pickleball Players) Tour is set to make its unprecedented debut in the Cayman Islands, bringing professional pickleball action to the island of Grand Cayman from March 20th to 23rd, 2025. This landmark event, hosted by Pickleball Cayman, marks the first time the APP Tour has visited this picturesque location.
The state-of-the-art Pickleball Cayman facility boasts an impressive 24 lighted courts, with 12 under a roof, providing a fantastic venue for the tournament. While the event doesn't offer APP Tour points, significant prize money is on the line for the Open Divisions (Pro).
Adding to the excitement, a unique Pro-Am event will kick off the festivities on March 19th, pairing amateurs with high-level pros. A strong contingent of top APP touring professionals is expected to compete, including Megan Fudge, currently ranked #1 in Women’s Doubles, Hall of Famer Kyle Yates, #1 Mixed Doubles player Bobbi Oshiro, and #2 Men’s Doubles player Jack Munro. Despite the anticipated high-level play and warm weather conditions, fans will need to be there in person as live streaming will not be available. This inaugural APP Tour stop promises to be a thrilling spectacle for both locals and visiting players.
Family Serves Up Hope: Wheeler Pickleballathon Battles Teenage Cancer
The Wheeler family is turning their newfound passion for pickleball into a powerful force for good, staging a 12-hour pickleballathon in June to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust. The event will be held on the Heath Park courts in Cardiff. This heartfelt initiative comes after their son, Zach, was diagnosed with cancer last October.
Fortunately, following treatment, the 17-year-old is now cancer-free and diligently studying for his A-levels. Inspired by the support they received, the Wheeler family decided to organize the pickleballathon to help other young people facing similar challenges.
The family's pickleball journey began in the summer of 2024 after they discovered a local tennis court marked with pickleball lines. To participate in the Pickleballathon, interested individuals can email pbathon25@gmail.com, and donations can be made via their JustGiving page. This inspiring event showcases how a family's shared activity can become a beacon of hope and support for a vital cause.