PPA New Zealand Cup delivers, Dallas dominate MLP Orlando
Good morning, pickleballers!
Welcome to another week - did you hit the ball well over the weekend? Did you try and drop it once in a while, or was it all bang, bang, bang?
You're not here for me to call out your game, you want the latest pickleball news - right?
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Auckland Shines: PPA New Zealand Cup Delivers Thrills and Triumphs
Auckland, New Zealand – The PPA Tour New Zealand Pickleball Cup, held in St. Johns, Auckland on April 25 and 27, 2025, showcased a series of exciting matches and notable victories.
In the Pro Women’s Doubles 5.0 and Above, Andie Dikosavljevic secured the gold medal on April 25 with a comeback win against Roos van Reek. Danni-Elle Townsend also had a comeback victory on April 25 to claim the bronze medal against Kwon Mihae. On April 27, Townsend and Michelle Esquivel staged an epic comeback in the finals to win the gold medal over Kaitlynn Hart and Roos van Reek. Jamie Haas and Sarah Burr took home the bronze medal on April 27.
In Pro Men’s Singles on April 25, Kenta Miyoshi won the gold medal, defeating Hong Kit Wong. Separately, Mitchell Hargreaves also triumphed in Pro Men's Singles on the same day, defeating Lucas Pascoe, who finished third for the bronze medal.
The Pro Men’s Doubles 5.0 and Above final on April 27 saw Robert Stirling and Zachary Grabovic win the gold medal in a thrilling match against Kim Eunggwon and Joseph Wild. George Wall and Hong Kit Wong secured the bronze medal in straight sets.
The tournament featured compelling performances and memorable wins across multiple events.
MLP Orlando Ignites 2025 Season with Shocks, Spills, and Top Team Power
Orlando, USA – The 2025 Major League Pickleball season officially commenced with Week 1 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida, from April 24-27. All 16 Premier teams were in action, setting the stage for the coming months.
The Dallas Flash emerged from the weekend with a perfect 4-0 record, securing all their victories in regulation. Jorja Johnson was a standout performer for the Flash, achieving an unblemished 8-0 individual record, further solidifying her claim as a potential top 3 women's player.
The final match of the weekend saw the St. Louis Shock (2-0) hand the previously undefeated New Jersey 5s (5-1) their first loss with a 3-1 victory. This heated contest included a shouting match between Anna Leigh Waters (New Jersey 5s) and Hayden Patriquin (St. Louis Shock), stemming from reported offensive language by Patriquin, for which he later apologised. St. Louis' Zane Navratil also notably hit Gabe Tardio off the bounce at full speed, sending a message. The event also featured intriguing matchups with players facing former partners, such as Anna Leigh Waters against Catherine Parenteau and Anna Bright against Rachel Rohrabacher.
Early takeaways suggest a clear divide between the top teams (Dallas, New Jersey, St. Louis) and the bottom half of the league. The shift to side-out scoring appeared to lead to more predictable results and increased strategic depth. While the concept of home-court colours was introduced, the Orlando execution with bright orange and light blue courts drew criticism for visibility issues. The league's injury replacement system also raised questions as some teams opted not to utilise their full 6-player rosters.
Pickleball Kingdom Expansion: Pickleball Kingdom Adds 90 Courts with Seven New Facility Openings
Nationwide, USA – Pickleball Kingdom, a brand aiming for over 50 indoor pickleball facilities across the U.S. by the close of 2025, has significantly expanded its footprint by opening seven new locations recently. These new facilities span multiple states, including Wisconsin, South Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Washington.
The addition of these seven sites brings a total of 90 new pickleball courts into operation. Each new facility is set to offer a comprehensive range of services for players of all skill levels. These include leagues, daily open play sessions, coaching clinics led by certified professionals, and free introductory "Pickleball 101" sessions. One notable location is in Poulsbo, Washington, situated just miles from the sport's birthplace on Bainbridge Island. Pickleball Kingdom stated the Poulsbo club honours the game's history while providing a modern playing experience. With nearly 400 additional awarded locations expected to open in the coming years, this expansion underscores the rapid growth of indoor pickleball facilities.
Pickleball Clinics in the Philippines: Pickleball Clinics Pop Up in Popular Philippine Malls This Summer
Manila, Philippines – As the Philippine summertime reaches a fever pitch, pickleball enthusiasts can sharpen their skills at clinics hosted in popular shopping malls across the country.
Ayala Malls U.P. Town Centre is facilitating sessions for those aged 15 and up. To participate in the four clinics held on May 4, 11, 25, and June 1, attendees must present ₱3,000 in receipts from mall stores. These will be guided by international gold medallist Ian Alcazar, progressively teaching fundamentals from dinking to volleys. Registration is open until May 4, 2025.
Meanwhile, SM City Novaliches is providing free weekend clinics open to all ages and skill levels until May 25, 2025. Located at the ground-level court, sessions run Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
Robinson’s Dasmariñas, in partnership with local groups, offers summer clinics starting at ₱900, featuring training and open play over multiple batches in May. This mall initiative highlights the sport's growing accessibility across the Philippines.