Pickleball Upsets in Vietnam, APP Women’s Open & Micah Parsons
Good morning, pickleballers!
Thursday again - where do these weeks go?
On Tuesday, I had a chat with two gold medal-winning players from Austria - they took down Spain in the Men's Open Final in the European Championships in Italy. Stephen Preissler and Prycen Haas tell us their story exclusively. You can find the World Pickleball Podcast on Spotify and iTunes or listen directly below.
Here's the pickleball news from the last 24 hours.
PPA Tour Asia/MB Vietnam Cup: Upsets Rock Day 1 as Top Seeds Fight for Survival
Da Nang, Vietnam – The MB Vietnam Cup 2025, the second of back-to-back PPA Tour Asia events, kicked off with significant drama and unexpected results in its opening salvo at Tien Son Sports Arena.
The biggest upset of the day occurred in the men’s singles draw when qualifier Thomas Yu, a native of China based in the US, stunned top seed Eric Oncins in the Round of 16. Yu secured the victory 2-1 (11-9, 3-11, 11-9), having already overcome India’s top player Armaan Bhatia earlier in the Round of 32. Yu now advances to face Japan’s Kenta Miyoshi in the Quarterfinals.
The mixed doubles bracket also delivered high-stakes action. Top seeds Tyson McGuffin and Chao Yi Wang (also known as Zoey Wang) narrowly survived a tough challenge from Len Yang and Ting Chieh Wei, winning a thriller 2-1 (12-10, 6-11, 13-11). McGuffin and Wang faced match point at 10-11 in the third game but managed to pull through. Following the intense match, McGuffin commented that although their "overall level was not super high," they managed to "find that next gear" to secure the win. The top seeds next take on Ho Tam and Tama Shimabukuro in the Quarters.
In Men’s Doubles, longtime friends and business partners Ben Johns and Dekel Bar teamed up for the first time since 2021 and found their groove quickly, defeating Hien Truong and Quan Do, 2-0 (11-1, 11-8). Bar expressed excitement about partnering with Johns again. They face Yu and Santosh Narayanan in their next test.
Women’s Doubles top seeds Kaitlyn Christian and Chao Yi Wang, who won gold at the Malaysia Cup last week, also advanced, cruising past Sophia Nhi Huynh and Crystal Mildwaters 2-0. They set up a Quarterfinal clash against Roos Van Reek and Andie Dikosavljevic. The Women's Singles draw saw Christian and Yufei Long set up a much-anticipated Quarterfinal showdown as both secured dominant victories.
Quarterfinal coverage from Da Nang will be available starting Wednesday evening on Pickleballtv.
APP Women’s Open Preview: Pro Pickleball Powers Critical Cancer Research
Columbus, USA – The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour is hosting its second annual ‘APP Women’s Open Presented by The James’ this week, shining a spotlight on top female athletes while dedicating the event to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This unique tournament, running from October 3rd to October 5th, aims to fuel the growth of the women’s game and support breast cancer research. The presenting title sponsor, The James, is short for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. The APP recently established the APP Women’s Cancer Fund at The James, which supports research and treatment for cancers affecting women. Funds for this initiative are raised through various elements of the event, including ticket sales and custom merchandise.
Given Columbus’s historical importance to The James and its founder, Dr. James, the city is a fitting location for the tournament. The venue is Pickle N Chill, the largest pickleball facility in the Midwest, featuring 22 courts (12 indoor and 10 outdoor).
The action kicks off Friday with Pro Women’s Singles, where Sofia Sewing is the heavy favourite, boasting five APP Tour gold medals this year. However, she will face stiff competition from defending champion Shannon Pretorius.
Saturday features the Split Age Pro and Team Event, requiring one player below 50 and one above 50. The top seeds are Daria Walzcak and Lee Whitwell, with Whitwell always considered the favourite in this category. In Pro Women’s Doubles on Sunday, the top-seeded team is Jillian Braverman and Megan Fudge, who already hold four golds this year. They will battle teams like Shelby Bates/Sofia Sewing, who recently captured gold in Chicago.
Championship Court action will be available live on ESPN+ on Saturday (Noon–6pm EST) and Sunday (1pm–6pm EST), with an ESPN2 highlight broadcast scheduled in the following weeks. The weather outlook promises mid-80s temperatures, setting the stage for perfect outdoor pickleball conditions.
R3 Leads PPL Table as Captain Bright Emphasises High Morale
Bolton, United Kingdom – After two match weekends in the Premier Pickleball League (PPL), R3 has secured the top spot, clocking three wins and one loss. Team captain Josh Bright, who is navigating his first PPL season, attributes their success partly to sensational team spirit and a deliberate focus on high morale.
R3 had a "dream start" during the first fixture weekend in Corby, winning both ties and immediately seizing the top spot. Bright is happy with how the young team is gelling. The R3 squad is known for its youth, highlighted by Lauren Gosling being named MVP of Match Weekend 1.
Bright emphasises the importance of maintaining positive energy for his youthful roster. “I always keep the vibes high—that’s a big thing for the team, with young players,” Bright explained, noting that everyone on the team is there to learn and improve. He believes that high morale encourages players to bounce off each other, ensuring that “the results will come”.
For these young players, this season is proving to be a steep learning curve as they adjust to the rigours of top-class competition, live-streaming, show courts, and referees. Bright himself admits he is "learning on the job" during his debut PPL captaincy.
The squad's off-court connection is strong, as many players were friends even before the draft. They prioritise having team training sessions to play matches and simply catch up, fostering the cohesion that manager Karen Crawford highlights in her social media posts.
APP Boosts Pathway for Aspiring Pros with New Ranking Structure
Dallas, USA – The APP Tour announced a major update to its player development platform, APP Next, which will now allow aspiring professionals to earn APP Tour pro ranking points at Tier III level for matches won in APP Next events. This pivotal change, effective October 1, 2025, significantly enhances the incentives for up-and-coming players.
APP Next, established in 2021, has solidified its reputation as the worldwide industry leader in player development, providing a critical success pathway for aspiring pickleball professionals. The integration of ranking points is designed to build on the competitive excellence already present in APP Next tournaments.
The new system will launch with the APP Next Series event in Dallas, scheduled for October 30 – November 2. Matches across all five categories—men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles—will be eligible for the Tier III pro ranking points.
APP Tour Founder Ken Herrmann explained that the additional opportunities are designed to allow for a smoother transition into the professional ranks, particularly for players age 23 and younger. Herrmann highlighted that the program’s depth and success have already paved the way for many of today's top American players. By awarding ranking points at APP Next events, players can also keep travel costs to a minimum.
The APP Next platform provides essential support, mentorship, and coaching both on and off the court. Furthermore, each event features a $15k prize purse and offers potential placement on the highly coveted APP U.S. National Team. The program has successfully jump-started the careers of notable APP Tour players, including Jack Munro, a member of the 2023 and 2024 APP U.S. National Teams, who ranked No. 1 in men’s pro doubles and mixed pro doubles in 2025.
Largs Pickleball Club Raises Funds for Local Food Bank
Glengarnock, United Kingdom – Energetic members of the Largs Pickleball Club recently stepped up their game off the court, hosting a four-hour tournament in Glengarnock that successfully raised over £100 for a vital local cause.
The funds raised at the event are being donated to the Largs Food Bank and Larder. According to a club spokesperson, this donation will help support local families and individuals in need of assistance within the community.
The charitable event saw a strong turnout, with forty players participating from eight different clubs. Throughout the four-hour session, a total of 480 games of pickleball were played.
The spokesperson offered “a huge thank you to all our members and entrants who contributed,” emphasising that their generosity will make a real difference in the community.
NFL Star Micah Parsons Calls Pickleball His ‘Addiction’
Green Bay, USA – Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, who recently made headlines following his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Cowboys, has revealed the secret weapon behind his strong start to the 2025 NFL season: pickleball.
Parsons, who recently recorded one sack in his return to Dallas that ended in a 40-40 tie, admitted in a July interview with CBS Sports that he is "addicted" to the sport. Parsons plays "like two, three times a week," noting that playing singles provides "great cardio".
The superstar athlete’s interest in pickleball began two years ago at an event in Austin hosted by his agent, David Mulugheta. His involvement deepened in 2023 when he joined the ownership group of MLP’s Texas Ranchers.
Parsons is confident he is one of the best pickleball players in the NFL. However, after playing against professionals, he recognises the complexity of the sport, stating that it is not primarily about strength, but about finesse. “Pickleball is all about touch, feel, and placement. It’s strategic. I’m still mastering it. It’s hard,” Parsons explained.
Parsons is not the only pickleball enthusiast on the Packers roster; tight ends Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave also regularly play at a local indoor facility near Lambeau Field. Kraft previously praised the accessibility of the game, calling it “just an easy sport to play for a long time”.
Pickleball and Motor Trade Eye Former Factory Site in Aberdeen
Aberdeen, United Kingdom – The former Belmar Engineering factory in the Torry area of Aberdeen is attracting significant interest from potential new occupiers, including motor trade companies and leisure operators seeking space for courts.
Belmar Engineering, which specialised in engineering services, was a 50-year-old family business before entering liquidation in May, resulting in 48 job cuts. The liquidator, Michael Reid, attributed the closure to falling orders, financial losses, and international competition.
The focus has now turned to the 1.9-acre industrial complex at Abbotswell Road in the West Tullos Industrial Estate, which spans 48,150 sq ft across three interconnected buildings. The site is available for sale or lease.
Christopher Paul, an agent with DM Hall, reported that interest has already come in from a diverse range of parties, including developers and motor trade firms. Crucially, Paul noted that much of the interest is currently "leisure-based," and he has been approached specifically regarding requirements for padel and pickleball courts.
The property offers workshop, storage, and office accommodation, with 32 private car spaces and a location approximately two miles south of Aberdeen city centre. The property is being reasonably priced to attract interest, given the surrounding circumstances.