Sydney Dreambreaker Drama, NPL Rise & Asia’s Grand Slam Spotlight

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Sydney Prepares for Dreambreaker™ Drama as Dink Minor League Unleashes MLPlay™ Revolution

Sydney, Australia – Pickleball enthusiasts in New South Wales are gearing up for the highly anticipated Dink Minor League Pickleball tournament on July 6, 2025. Set to unfold at Voyager Willis Park in Chatswood, this event promises a blend of competitive play and community spirit through its innovative MLPlay™ format.

Teams will consist of four players—two men and two women—competing in four games per match: one women’s doubles, one men’s doubles, and two mixed doubles. The true highlight, however, is the Dreambreaker™ singles match, which will decide the winner if teams are tied 2-2. This thrilling tie-breaker involves one player from each team rotating every four rallies until 21 points, win by two, making for intense, strategic finishes.

Divisions are structured to be inclusive of all skill levels, based on DUPR ratings, with categories like DUPR 20, DUPR 18, DUPR 16, and DUPR 14. Players need an active DUPR account, and team ratings are locked upon registration. Registration is currently open at AUD 75.00 per player until June 30, 2025. The tournament emphasizes its unique, fast-paced format that "blends competition and community," aiming to make pickleball "more inclusive and exciting across all levels of play".

Vince Vaughn Backs Age-Defying Pro League: NPL Redefines 50+ Pickleball with Heisman Stars

United States – The National Pickleball League (NPL), launched in 2022, is making waves by establishing itself as the first professional league exclusively for players aged 50 and older. This groundbreaking league provides a high-level competitive platform for seasoned athletes across the United States, proving that "age should never be a barrier" to pursuing passion in sports.

Comprising 12 teams and over 180 players, the NPL hosts matches in various cities, including Seattle, Naples, and Princeton. Each team is privately owned, with some notable figures involved. The Coachella Valley Scorpions are co-owned by professional pickleball player Kim Jagd and renowned actor Vince Vaughn. Furthermore, Danny Wuerffel, a former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star, is an active player for the Denver Iconics.

To qualify for the league, players must be 50 years or older and possess a pickleball rating of 4.5 or higher. Qualified players can apply to attend combines, where top performers earn automatic spots on an NPL team. The NPL's growth is seen as a significant development, allowing experienced players to stay in the game and offering fans a new league to follow that celebrates fitness, skill, and passion at any age.

Asia's Grand Slam Debut: Malaysia to Host Record-Breaking Pickleball Showdown with RM120,000 Prize Pool

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia – History will be made in Southeast Asia as Malaysia prepares to host the WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025 from July 16 to 20, 2025, at the One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya. This monumental event marks it as the largest pickleball tournament of its kind in Southeast Asia and the first-ever Grand Slam to be held in Asia.

The tournament anticipates an impressive turnout of 1,500 players from over 16 different countries, alongside more than 3,000 spectators, solidifying Malaysia’s growing reputation as a pickleball hub. With an extraordinary prize pool of RM120,000, it stands as the largest in the region to date. The WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025 will be integrated with Pickleball Global, the world's largest digital tournament platform, which will track matches and contribute to a unified global leaderboard, significantly boosting the international visibility of local players.

Malaysia’s selection as host is no coincidence, as the nation ranks among the top three globally in terms of pickleball players. Top Asian players like India’s Vanshik Kapadia and the Philippines’ Anna Clarice Patrimonio are expected to compete, alongside Malaysian rising stars Colin Wong, Razlan Rawi, and Sharneem “Neem” Reyes. The event is officially endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, supporting the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, and sanctioned by the World Pickleball Federation, International Pickleball Federation, and Malaysia Pickleball Association.

New Delhi Set to Serve Up PWR-100 Thrills as India's Elite Chase Pickleball World Rankings

New Delhi, India – The capital city of India is poised to host the Masters Pickleball Cup on June 29, a pivotal event for players aiming to climb the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR). Taking place at REPPP, Farm No.1, Mehrauli, the tournament is sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) and holds a coveted PWR-100 status, signifying its importance in the global ranking system.

The competition will feature a group-cum-knockout format, guaranteeing each participant a minimum of three matches, fostering robust competition and ample playing time. New Delhi has a rich history of hosting significant pickleball events, including the PWR DUPR India Masters at RK Khanna Tennis Stadium, which drew an impressive 750 players, both professional and amateur.

Past events have seen top international players like Dustin Boyer, Phuc Huynh, and Emilia Schmidt compete alongside leading Indian talents such as Aditya Ruhela. Notably, India’s Armaan Bhatia clinched the men's Pro Singles title at the PWR DUPR India Masters, triumphing over USA’s Dusty Boyer. The upcoming Masters Pickleball Cup promises high stakes and a vibrant community atmosphere, building on New Delhi’s growing prominence in the international pickleball scene. Registrations are available via the Rackonnect App for interested participants.

Historic Spanish Debut: Malaga Hosts Inaugural Pro Tour, Signaling Pickleball's Explosive Growth

Malaga, Spain – Pickleball marked a historic milestone in Spain this past weekend as Malaga city successfully hosted the inaugural Pickle Pro Tour event, drawing 300 competitors from 14 nations. Hailed by organizers as a significant step for the sport, which is rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing in Spain, the tournament showcased high-level play and captivated large crowds despite the sweltering heat.

Matches for the Malaga Spanish Open were held across two venues: early rounds at the skating rink by the Martín Carpena complex, and the semi-finals and finals at El Corte Inglés on Avenida de Andalucía. The event highlighted the sport's fast-paced nature, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis on a smaller court with a perforated plastic ball and paddles.

The mixed doubles title was claimed by the formidable duo of Catalan Pep Canyadell and Spanish-American Glauka Carvajal. Canyadell also demonstrated his dominance by winning the men’s singles final, while Rocío Cardo secured the women’s singles title with a comeback victory. In women's doubles, Glauka Carvajal achieved a double gold, partnering with Sabrina Méndez for the crown. The strong spectator response, with free entry and bustling crowds, underscored the immense interest in pickleball's burgeoning presence in Spain.

PPA Tour No. 1 Staksrud Shakes Up Endorsement Landscape with Abrupt Adidas Split

United States – In a surprising turn for the professional pickleball circuit, Federico Staksrud, the top-ranked men’s singles player on the PPA Tour, and adidas Pickleball have mutually agreed to conclude their partnership. The announcement, made just over five months after their landmark collaboration began, signals a significant shift in the endorsement landscape for one of the sport's most prominent athletes.

Staksrud expressed gratitude for adidas's "professionalism, dedication, and trust," acknowledging the effort put into creating paddles tailored for his game. However, the split had been foreshadowed by observations at recent tournaments. Despite his adidas partnership, Staksrud was seen using a JOOLA paddle at the Carvana Mesa Cup in February and later switched to JOOLA apparel at last week's Select Medical Orange County Cup.

Prior to joining adidas, Staksrud had been with JOOLA for two and a half years. While no new brand deal has been announced, Staksrud's status as the world's No. 1 men's singles player means he is expected to have no shortage of suitors vying for his endorsement. This abrupt end to a high-profile partnership leaves the pickleball community anticipating Staksrud's next move and its potential impact on the competitive equipment market.

From Screens to Courts: Pickleball Crashes VidCon, Captivating Gen Z with Top Influencers

Anaheim, California – For the first time in its 14-year history, VidCon 2025 in Anaheim, California, featured a dedicated pickleball activation, signaling the sport's rapid expansion into mainstream pop culture and creator circles. Often described as "Comic-Con, but swap the superheroes for influencers, viral stars, and Gen Z icons," VidCon this year saw thousands of attendees, creators, and brands converge, with pickleball front and center.

The "Dink + Smash 2025 Pickleball" event, spearheaded by content tech company Viewws, allowed attendees to engage in 1v1 matches or watch prominent creators battle it out on the court. Major YouTubers, TikTokers, and influencers, including Jools Lebron, known for her viral satire, and the re-emerged internet personality Lil Tay, picked up paddles and showcased the sport's accessibility. Other notable creators like Jenny Hoyos, QCP, and DangMattSmith also participated.

Pickleball content creator Sydney Steinaker played a crucial role, helping to make the experience "fun and judgment-free" and proving how accessible the sport is to younger audiences. The activation proved highly successful, with managers of several creators reportedly reaching out post-VidCon to explore further involvement in pickleball. This groundbreaking inclusion at VidCon solidifies pickleball's growing reach and its ability to captivate the trend-starting younger demographic.

Asian Trailblazers Stun Orange County: Wei and Long's Underdog Run Reshapes Women's Doubles

San Clemente, California – The Select Medical Orange County Cup witnessed a stunning upset story in women’s doubles, as the #36 seeded team of Ting Chien Wei and Yufei Long from Asia made a remarkable run to the quarterfinals. Representing the UPA Trailblazers program, which aims to elevate pickleball across Asia, the duo demonstrated the growing international prowess in the sport.

After a confident win in the Round of 64, Wei and Long faced a formidable challenge against the #4 seeds, Lacy Schneemann and Jorja Johnson. In a tightly contested and intense match, the Asian underdogs prevailed with a score of 12-10, 8-11, 11-5, securing one of the tournament's most significant upsets. This victory propelled them into the Round of 16, where they continued their winning streak before their impressive journey concluded in the quarterfinals against the experienced team of Mari Humberg and Meghan Dizon.

Their performance left a "big mark" on the tournament, serving as a testament to the UPA Trailblazers program's effectiveness and signaling a bright future for these talented players. Ting Chien Wei and Yufei Long's success is expected to inspire more players from Asia to join the professional scene and challenge the established top teams on the PPA Tour.

Newcomer Shocks the World: Rafael Lenhard Dethrones Ben Johns in Electrifying Orange County Debut

San Clemente, California – The Select Medical Orange County Cup delivered one of the most astonishing upsets of the season when Rafael Lenhard, a newcomer seeded #61, dethroned world No. 1 Ben Johns in the men’s singles first round. Lenhard, who had only played one prior PPA Tour event, shocked everyone with a decisive 11-6, 14-12 victory against the sport's reigning superstar.

Lenhard’s breakout performance was no fluke; he continued his remarkable run by defeating seasoned singles players Zane Navratil and Noe Khlif. These back-to-back wins showcased his impressive blend of power and soft hands, indicating a versatile skill set suitable for both singles and doubles play. His journey ultimately concluded in the quarterfinals, where he was defeated by Christian Alshon.

The tournament itself was lauded as a "huge success" with "perfect" weather, "big" crowds, and an "awesome" venue at Life Time Fitness, setting the stage for Lenhard's dazzling debut. Lenhard's exceptional performance suggests a promising career in pickleball, with many anticipating his continued success as he hones his game.

Next Stop: Bristol! PPA Tour Gears Up for Veolia Open on August 6

United States – Following a highly successful Select Medical Orange County Cup, which featured excellent weather, large crowds, and electrifying matches, the PPA Tour is preparing for its next major event: the Veolia Bristol Open. Pickleball fans can mark their calendars as the action is set to begin on August 6, with live coverage available on Pickleballtv.

The Orange County Cup saw a series of compelling performances, including Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright sweeping the women's doubles final against Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher, extending their dominant winning streak. In men's singles, Hunter Johnson delivered a commanding victory over Federico Staksrud, staking a strong claim for the world No. 1 ranking. The men's doubles title was claimed by Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio, known as "The Counter Kings," after a hard-fought five-game battle against Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin.

The "awesome" venue and enthusiastic crowds in San Clemente contributed to an "inspired" level of play from the professionals. As the PPA Tour moves to Bristol, players will look to carry their momentum or seek redemption, promising another week of top-tier pickleball competition for fans tuning in worldwide.