PPA Lakeland Upsets, IPBL Ambassadors, ALW Card Record, Global News
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PPA Tour: Veolia Lakeland Open Showcases Upsets, Grit, and First-Time Partnership Success
Lakeland, USA – The Veolia Lakeland Open presented by Six Zero has delivered dramatic upsets and breakout performances, setting the stage for Semifinal Saturday at the Beerman Family Tennis Center. The PPA Tour event saw numerous lower seeds and first-time partners challenging the established hierarchy in Central Florida.
Perhaps the most gripping performance came from Eric Oncins (No. 25 seed), who stunned No. 6 seed Chris Haworth in the men’s singles Round of 32. Oncins fought back from a 5-10 deficit in the deciding game, saving six match points to secure a thrilling 4-11, 11-9, 13-11 victory. Oncins credited a tactical adjustment suggested by fellow pro Pablo Tellez—incorporating slice approach shots—for helping him gain an advantage at the net.
The underdog theme continued as wild card entry Luca Mack (No. 41 seed) powered into his first career PPA Tour semifinal. The 25-year-old German outdueled No. 12 seed Zane Ford 7-11, 11-6, 11-8. Mack, who earned his entry after winning men’s singles gold at a PPA Challenger Series event in Kissimmee, defeated four high-ranking players, including Ford, to reach the final four. He is set to face No. 2 seed Hunter Johnson.
In another major singles shocker, No. 13 seed Noe Khlif of France defeated top-seeded Federico Staksrud 11-7, 4-11, 11-6 in the Round of 16. This marked Khlif’s first-ever win against the Argentine after going 0-6 in previous matchups. Khlif continued his deep run by advancing to the semifinals with a dominant 11-8, 11-1 victory over No. 18 Cason Campbell.
The mixed doubles bracket also provided major headlines. The newly formed team of Anna Bright and Eric Oncins (No. 4 seeds) surged into the semifinals in their very first tournament together, defeating No. 5 seeds Jessie Irvine/Gabe Tardio 11-8, 11-5. They will face top seeds Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns for a spot in the gold medal match. Meanwhile, No. 4 seeds Rachel Rohrabacher and Andrei Daescu also punched their ticket to Semifinal Saturday, overcoming Tyra Black/Christian Alshon 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, despite Rohrabacher recovering from a hamstring strain suffered earlier this month. The duo’s only losses as a partnership in 2025 have come against Waters/Johns.
Pickleball GOAT Anna Leigh Waters Trading Card Smashes Hobby Record with $45,000 eBay Sale
Los Angeles, USA – Pickleball sensation Anna Leigh Waters has inadvertently made history again, not with a gold medal, but with a record-breaking trading card sale. A 2023 Leaf Pickleball Premier Edition card featuring the 18-year-old star sold for a staggering USD $45,000 on eBay.
The card manufacturer, Leaf, confirmed the transaction on its verified X account, calling the sale a “hobby record” and noting that it is "one of the most expensive Leaf cards ever sold". Leaf also highlighted that it produced the "1st ever Pickleball card," emphasising the sport's rapid expansion.
The immense value of the card comes as little surprise given Waters' dominance and charisma in the sport. Widely regarded as the pickleball GOAT (Greatest of All Time) on the women’s side, Waters holds the distinction of being the winningest player in PPA Tour history with 168 career gold medals. Her popularity and role as an ultimate ambassador for the sport contribute significantly to the demand for her collectables.
The seller of the unique item, operating under the username “grimmbunny,” is already testing the market further. They have listed another one-of-a-kind Anna Leigh Waters card, this time from NetPro, with an asking price of USD $60,000 or best offer, hinting at the possibility of setting yet another record in the burgeoning pickleball memorabilia market.
IPBL 2025: Glamour Meets Grit as Two Franchisees Announce High-Profile Brand Ambassadors
New Delhi, India – The upcoming inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) 2025 has ramped up excitement with two marquee franchises, Capital Warriors Gurgaon and Chennai Super Warriors, announcing their official Brand Ambassadors. The league is scheduled to take place at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium, from December 1–7.
The Capital Warriors Gurgaon welcomed Vaishnavi Sharma, the reigning Femina Miss India Rajasthan, as their official ambassador. The franchise, led by Pankaj Bansal, Managing Director of M3M India, stated that Sharma’s "energy, elegance, and championship spirit perfectly match our team’s passion and drive". M3M India's focus on blending international design with local needs mirrors the growth of pickleball as a modern, community-driven sport.
Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Warriors secured Pragnya Ayyagari, Miss Supranational Asia 2023, as their Brand Ambassador. The franchise, backed by Accord Distillers and Brewers (part of the diversified Accord Group), issued a similar enthusiastic statement, noting that Ayyagari’s characteristics perfectly reflect their team's competitive spirit.
The IPBL, which is India’s official and only national league for Pickleball, was launched by The Times Group and is sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), which is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.
Lucknow Leopards Complete Lineup as Sixth Franchise Joins Indian Pickleball League
New Delhi, India – The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) 2025 has finalised its roster for the inaugural season with the official unveiling of the Lucknow Leopards as the sixth franchise. The team's aggressive, champion-themed identity was revealed shortly after the league's high-profile launch in Chennai.
The announcement completes the lineup of six city teams, with the Leopards joining the Mumbai Smashers, Hyderabad Royals, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors, and Capital Warriors Gurgaon. The inaugural IPBL season, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) and launched by The Times Group, is set to run from December 1–7, 2025, at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall.
Adding to the franchise's prestige, Aayushi Dholakia, the Femina Miss India Runner-up, was introduced as the Brand Ambassador for the Lucknow Leopards. The team expressed excitement, saying Dholakia’s “energy, elegance, and championship spirit perfectly reflect our passion and drive”.
The league’s launch in Chennai on November 18, led by Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, featured prominent figures including Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and IPA President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, setting a high-voltage tone for the season ahead.
Vietnamese Pro Quang Duong Tapped as 'Power Pick' for IPBL Season 1
New Delhi, India – Quang Duong, a US-based Vietnamese pickleball professional, is generating significant buzz as a top competitor ahead of the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) 2025 season. Duong is recognised for his exceptional skills, particularly on the singles circuit, earning him the title of a "Super Star Male International" player.
Known for his remarkable speed, precision, and strategic shot selection, Duong built a strong reputation in the singles circuit with aggressive court coverage and clean baseline play. His composure under pressure makes him one of the most reliable international players entering the IPBL.
Duong turned professional in 2023 and quickly ascended the ranks, climbing into the Top 20 of the PPA Tour singles standings within a remarkably short period. His high DUPR ratings (Singles: 6.865; Doubles: 6.602) position him as a key singles anchor, capable of delivering crucial points for his franchise in high-pressure matchups.
The IPBL, India’s official national pickleball league launched by The Times Group, is set to establish Delhi as the epicentre of India’s next major sporting revolution. The debut season will run from December 1–7, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, bringing together top Indian and international players.
Pickleball Australia Strengthens Board with Appointment of Governance Veteran Matt McGrath
Australia – Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) announced a significant addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Matt McGrath as a director on the Board, effective November 2025. The PAA highlighted McGrath’s impressive background in both high-level governance and the corporate retail sector.
McGrath’s professional career spans 30 years in retail, where he notably owned and operated 16 Telstra Shop operations across Sydney. This became the largest independently owned business of its kind before its acquisition by Telstra Corporation in 2022.
His extensive experience in sports governance includes a maximum four-year term as Chairman of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) from 2018–2022, during which he also chaired Infrastructure and served on the Finance Sub Committee. Following his tenure, he was awarded Life Membership of the ATC. Furthermore, McGrath has served as a Director on the Cronulla Sharks NRL Board for the past four years, where he chairs Infrastructure.
Having played pickleball socially in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney for over two years and actively participating in tournaments, McGrath has a strong understanding of the high-growth sport. He stated that bringing his "Board and Commercial experience to a sport I really enjoy playing is a unique opportunity," stressing the importance of a robust strategy and plans for the PAA to navigate the future of the sport. McGrath joins existing Board members, including Chairwoman Jen Ramamurthy and Vice Chairman Nicholas Cooper.
Modern Pickleball Strategy Turns ‘No Man’s Land’ Into Offensive Weapon
Miami, USA – Conventional pickleball wisdom emphasising a rushed path to the kitchen line is being overturned by top professionals who are redefining the strategy around the midcourt area, traditionally known as the "transition zone" or "no man's land". Experts are now urging players to view this area as a position of offensive opportunity rather than a psychological barrier to be rushed through.
The emerging Modern Approach focuses on selective aggression, using midcourt pressure to make opponents uncomfortable even when they are positioned at the kitchen line. According to this strategy, if the ball bounces, a player should reset it; however, if the player can take the ball out of the air, they should attack it. This selective volleying creates "free rides to the kitchen" as opponents become hesitant to keep the aggressive player back.
Key technical adjustments are required for this midcourt aggression. Players are advised to maintain a ready position at hip level or slightly below in the transition zone, anticipating low shots, a technique referred to as the "slinky drill". Staying on the balls of the feet and utilising the split step are also critical for mobility.
Other common mistakes include using the wrong grip, always resetting, and attacking every ball indiscriminately. By mastering this midcourt strategy, which focuses on creating offense and weapons while moving forward, players can add a new dimension to their game, replicating the philosophy now prevalent at the highest levels of competitive pickleball.
PIQLZ Unveils Interactive Smart Training Wall, Revolutionising Pickleball Practice
San Jose, USA – PIQLZ has introduced a new interactive virtual training wall, promising to transform the way pickleball players practice and improve their skills. This next-generation wall provides a practice experience that merges real on-court play with digital intelligence, offering players instant feedback, customizable drills, and detailed performance statistics.
Players strike a plain surface and receive smart, skill-building responses to every shot. The system is equipped with three main training formats: Aim, Direct, and Height. The AIM mode, for example, displays moving shapes that challenge players to hit inside the box, helping to refine accuracy and control. The technology offers hundreds of drill combinations and is flexible enough to cater to users at all skill levels, from beginners to professionals, as well as coaches and academies seeking interactive training tools.
A major component of the PIQLZ system is its performance statistics dashboard, which tracks tangible improvements over time, helping users pinpoint areas of necessary adjustment. The company’s mission is to drive interactive pickleball training forward, offering a more engaging, intuitive, and enjoyable path for players to develop their abilities. The dedicated team at PIQLZ notes that this initial release is just the beginning, with plans for more advanced features in future updates.
Times Network to Host Pickleball Now Grand Prix in Delhi Region, Offering $12,000 Prize Pool
Gurugram, India – Following the success of its multi-city initiative, Times Network is set to host the Pickleball Now Grand Prix, North Edition on November 22. The day-long tournament will take place at The Blue Court, Sector 65, Gurugram, near Delhi.
The event is slated to attract more than 200 participants competing for a significant prize pool of Rs 10 Lakh (approximately USD $12,000). The Grand Prix features five competitive categories designed to engage both intermediate and advanced players. These categories include Men’s Doubles (Advanced and Intermediate), Mixed Doubles (Advanced and Intermediate), and a Women’s Doubles category utilising randomly paired teammates.
Importantly, all matches played during the Grand Prix will contribute official points toward the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), the national ranking system for India.
The event has successfully drawn in support from multiple sectors, positioning itself as a premium sporting showcase. Key partners span various industries, including Hell Energy Drink (presenting partner), Aditya Birla Capital (NBFC partner), HDFC Bank (banking partner), Just in Time (official timekeeping partner), and Joola (equipment partner).
Torino Cemented as Italian Pickleball Hub Following National Finals and Celebrity Exhibition
Torino, Italy – Pickleball continues its rapid ascent in Italy, with Torino hosting two significant events that confirmed the city’s role in promoting the sport. The city simultaneously hosted the Master Nazionale "Road to Torino 2025" Finals and a high-profile exhibition at the Politecnico di Torino (PoliTO).
The Master Nazionale Finals, the culmination of the amateur and open FITP circuits, were held within the Fan Village of the Nitto ATP Finals. The tournament drew over 5,000 visitors, creating a unique atmosphere for participants. However, compared to the Road to Roma event held earlier in 2025, the Open categories saw an extremely reduced number of participants, making it difficult to complete some brackets. Notable winners in the TPRA Master included Giorgio Di Rosa (Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles) and Valentina Guglielmi (Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles).
Parallel to the Master, the Politecnico di Torino hosted the Legend PRO-AM exhibition as part of the “PoliTO Sporty Campus” project. This event successfully introduced pickleball to the university environment, featuring former international tennis champions such as Flavia Pennetta, Alex Corretja, Renzo Furlan, and Shuzo Matsuoka. Flavia Pennetta praised pickleball as "divertente, immediato e perfetto per i ragazzi" (fun, immediate, and perfect for young people). The initiative confirmed the potential for the sport to grow significantly within the university sector. Between these two successful events, Torino is positioning itself as a central promoter of Italian pickleball growth.