PPA Upset in Florida, Italy Resets Rankings, Global Pickleball News

Good morning, pickleballers!

Friday again, and I suspect some of you are off to a Christmas party later.

Before you start thinking about that, check out the latest World Pickleball Podcast and then crack on with the very latest pickleball news from across the world.

 

Christian and Daescu Stun Top Seeds to Reach Semifinals in Florida Sunshine

Daytona Beach, USA – The PPA Tour’s visit to the Sunshine State has delivered its first major upset in the mixed doubles bracket. In a thrilling quarterfinal clash at the PPA Daytona Beach Open, the newly formed partnership of Kaitlyn Christian and Andrei Daescu defeated the number four seeds, Catherine Parenteau and Dekel Bar, in three intense games. Despite falling behind early, the number six seeds rallied to secure a 5-11, 11-6, 13-11 victory, converting on their sixth match point after the contest was deadlocked at 10-10 in the decider.

While this tournament marks the pair’s debut as partners on the PPA Tour, Christian and Daescu are no strangers to on-court chemistry, having competed together for the AZ Drive during the 2024 Major League Pickleball season. "Andrei is such a leader, and it’s just a real pleasure to be on the court competing with him," Christian noted, emphasising her total trust in his high-energy game.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s semifinals, the duo will face the eleventh-seeded team of Callie Smith and Jay Devilliers, who managed their own upset by taking down Tyra Black and Christian Alshon in straight games. Elsewhere in the bracket, fans are eagerly anticipating the reunion of Rachel Rohrabacher and Federico Staksrud, who are set to play their first tournament together in over a year. As the bracket narrows, the question remains whether Christian and Daescu can ride this momentum all the way to the title.

Industry Leaders Launch United Front Against Counterfeit Paddle Market

Dallas, USA – In response to a surge in fraudulent equipment flooding the market, major pickleball industry groups and manufacturers are joining forces to declare war on counterfeit paddles. The initiative, led by the United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A), aims to combat unauthorised retailers selling knock-off gear on platforms ranging from Alibaba to reputable sites like Walmart.com.

Jason Aspes, President of UPA-A, issued a memo to paddle brands outlining an "Anti-Counterfeit Best Practices Guide". The guide warns that the integrity of the sport and player safety are at risk, noting that counterfeits are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In a personal experiment, Aspes purchased a paddle listed as a JOOLA Perseus Pro IV on Walmart’s website for $129.99, only to receive a "very well-disguised clone" that would fool most casual observers.

The crackdown involves a ten-step strategy utilising data from Red Points, a global leader in IP protection. Strategies include registering trademarks globally, implementing product authentication tools like NFC chips, and auditing factories to prevent unauthorized production. Data indicates that 61% of counterfeit purchases are unintentional, yet one in three customers stop buying from a brand after receiving a fake, highlighting the economic threat to legitimate companies. Complementing these technical measures, the industry is preparing a "Don't Trust A Fake" campaign to educate players on the dangers of unapproved equipment, ensuring that the sport’s rapid growth isn't undermined by the black market.

Italy Enters New Era with Independent FITP Pickleball Rankings

Rome, Italy – The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) has officially marked a historic turning point for the sport by publishing the first-ever rankings based exclusively on pickleball results. This move permanently replaces the previous system, which derived player standing from tennis rankings, and signals the formal recognition of pickleball as an autonomous competitive discipline with its own technical hierarchy.

The new ranking system divides players into specific categories, creating a clear pyramid structure for national competition. At the pinnacle is the "First Category," an elite group representing the absolute best talent in the country. The inaugural First Category lists include top female players such as Laura Boni and Vittoria De Pasquale, and male standouts like Augusto Avanzini and Marcello Bettinelli.

This structural overhaul was validated on the court at the recent Siena International Pickleball Open 2025, where nearly all First Category players competed. The high level of intensity and technical skill displayed in Siena confirmed that the new rankings accurately reflect the "real level" of the national movement. With 234 ranked female players and 490 male players now systematically categorised, the FITP has laid the foundation for team championships and a more professionalised circuit. As Pickleball Spot notes, this is not just a list of names but the "start of a new phase" for Italian pickleball, where court results are the sole judge of merit.

The Perfect Sweep: Rex Thais Claims Seven Medals in PPA Tour Asia History

New Delhi, India – American rising star Rex Thais has etched his name into the record books by achieving an unprecedented "clean sweep" during the inaugural 2025 PPA Tour Asia season. In a display of total dominance, Thais won all seven available medals across the tour's events, a feat described by organisers as a historic achievement for the sport in the region.

Thais’s performance was characterised by technical consistency and mental resilience, allowing him to maintain control against a competitive field of international and Asian talent. His run marks the first time a single athlete has secured every medal on offer in a PPA Tour Asia season. Kimberley Koh, Managing Director of PPA Tour Asia, stated that Thais's success serves as inspiration for "the next generation of young pickleball talent worldwide".

The 2025 season was designed to strengthen pickleball's footprint in emerging markets, providing structured competition and visibility. Organizers believe Thais's benchmark performance highlights the rapid development of the global game and the competitive depth of this new tour. With the inaugural season now concluded, PPA Tour Asia plans to expand its calendar, building on the momentum generated by Thais’s historic seven-medal haul.

Marinas Remain Untouchable as Snipers Secure Dramatic Win in Global League

Mumbai, India – The intensity of the Global Sports Pickleball League reached new heights on Day 2, with the Madras Marinas continuing their unbeaten streak and the Delhi Snipers finally putting points on the board. The Marinas edged out the Kolkata Kingz in a nail-biting 3–2 victory to stay atop Group A in the Pro Division. Bernadette Massih was the catalyst for Madras, winning her singles match 21–14 before teaming up with Parth Ravi to secure the women’s doubles point. Although Kolkata fought back in the mixed and men’s doubles, the Marinas held their nerve to clinch the decisive tiebreaker.

In the same division, the Delhi Snipers opened their account with a dramatic 3–2 win over the Ahmedabad Olympians. After falling behind early, Delhi rallied behind the strength of the Schoeman–Sapra and Estareja–Schoeman pairings in doubles play. The match came down to a final decider, where Delhi powered through 21–12 to seal the victory.

Meanwhile, in Group B, the Hyderabad Vikings strengthened their position with a tense 3–2 win over Kolkata, driven by a dominant singles performance from Roos van Reek. In the Challenger Division, the Coimbatore Super Smashers maintained their own unbeaten record, defeating the Jaipur Stallions 3–1 thanks to a strong lead-off performance by Amber Policare. As the group stages progress, the Marinas and Super Smashers have established themselves as the teams to beat.