Scotland Nationals, Goldin’s Big Move & $5.56M Pickleball Investment

Good morning, pickleballers!

We are halfway through another week, but the global pickleball news keeps rolling in.

The Deep Dive is back today and you can listen below.

And if you prefer the written word, you know what to do.

Scotland Readies for its Biggest-Ever Pickleball Nationals Starting Thursday

Glasgow, Scotland – The biggest-ever Scottish Nationals pickleball tournament is set to commence this week. Hundreds of players are expected to descend upon the Scotstoun Sports Centre in Glasgow, with action beginning on Thursday, May 29th.

The event promises fierce competition across numerous categories. The national doubles are particularly popular, with nearly 100 players registered for mixed doubles and 72 for men's doubles. The 50+ divisions also show strong participation, including 64 players in the 3.5+ mixed doubles and 44 in the 3.5+ men's doubles.

Spectators are welcome to attend in person free of charge. For those unable to be there, some courts will have coverage available online via Pickleball Scotland’s Facebook and YouTube channels. All tournament results will be accessible on the official website. This marks a significant milestone for the sport's growth in Scotland.

Bill Simmons Denies Viral Pickleball Fight, Calls Sport "Reprehensible"

United States – Bill Simmons, the prominent founder of The Ringer and former ESPN columnist, has publicly and emphatically denied being the person involved in a viral online video depicting a heated pickleball argument. While admitting the individual in the video bore a resemblance to him, Simmons firmly stated that he does not play pickleball and has never struck anyone with a paddle.

Speaking on his podcast, Simmons addressed the video, doubling down on his claim that he has never played the sport. He went further, expressing strong disdain for pickleball, labelling it "reprehensible". Simmons described the sport as "one of the worst things that's happened in the last 10 years from a competitive sports standpoint", criticising its noise, the injuries it causes, and the players. His clear statement aimed to resolve the mistaken identity caused by the circulating video.

Grayson Goldin Jumps to PPA/MLP After APP Win, Signs Deal with UPA

United States – Grayson Goldin, a notable men's singles player from the APP Tour, has signed a significant deal with the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the parent organisation of the Carvana PPA Tour. This move comes shortly after Goldin ended a year-long men's singles title drought by securing a win at the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati earlier this month.

By signing with the UPA, Goldin is now eligible to compete on the PPA Tour without needing to play in qualifiers, allowing him to become a consistent presence. He expressed that becoming a regular on the PPA was a personal goal and described his journey to this point as a "grind". The agreement also makes him eligible to participate in Major League Pickleball (MLP) events. This transition marks a key step in Goldin's professional pickleball career.

MLP Trade Alert: Bay Area Acquires Angie Walker, Mad Drops Get Danna Funaro

United States – Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced a trade involving two California-based teams, the Bay Area Breakers and the Los Angeles Mad Drops. The deal sees the Bay Area Breakers acquire Angie Walker, while the Los Angeles Mad Drops receive Danna Funaro along with cash considerations.

Angie Walker previously played for the Atlanta Bouncers in the 2024 MLP season. She recently achieved a significant result by earning a Triple Crown at the New England PPA Challenger in May. Walker is set to start for the Bay Area squad and is anticipated to make her debut with the team at MLP San Clemente later in June.

Danna Funaro, who was initially drafted by the New York Hustlers, will move back to the Premier level as the third female player on the Mad Drops roster. The Los Angeles Mad Drops are scheduled to continue their season this week at MLP Phoenix.

MLP Standings Shakeup: Staksrud, Wang Top Premier and Challenger After Austin Event

Austin, United States – The latest Major League Pickleball (MLP) player standings have been updated following the 2025 MLP Austin event, revealing shifts at the top of both the Premier and Challenger levels. According to the new rankings, Federico Staksrud of the Orlando Squeeze leads the Premier Level players, while Zoey Chao Yi Wang of the Las Vegas Night Owls holds the top spot in the Challenger Level.

Staksrud currently leads the Premier Level standings with a 66.67% win rate, holding a record of 20 wins and 10 losses. His team, the Orlando Squeeze, also sits at the top of the Premier Level team standings with 10 wins. In the Challenger Level, Wang boasts an impressive 80.00% win rate, having won 8 of her 10 games. The Las Vegas Night Owls are the undefeated team leaders in the Challenger Level with 5 wins. These standings reflect game wins, losses, and point totals from the season's matches, highlighting the increasing competitiveness across the league.

MLP Phoenix Heats Up with Undefeated Teams, Celebrity Pro-Am, and Key Returns

Mesa, Arizona, United States – The Major League Pickleball calendar heats up this week as the Edward Jones MLP Phoenix event takes centre stage at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, beginning Thursday, May 29th. The tournament features a competitive lineup of Premier League teams competing, headlined by the formidable and undefeated Dallas Flash, who put their perfect season record on the line.

Pickleball fans will also welcome the return of key players shaking off injuries, notably Hunter Johnson joining the Los Angeles Mad Drops and former tennis star Jack Sock back on the court for the host team, the Phoenix Flames. Beyond the intense team battles, the event offers special attractions, including a Celebrity Pro-Am on Saturday, May 31st, featuring well-known personalities. With crucial matches for playoff positioning and the excitement of high-level play, MLP Phoenix is set to be a thrilling stop on the professional pickleball tour.

APP NYC Open Recap: Sewing Secures Fourth Title, Bhatia Wins Epic 27-25 Singles Thriller

New York City, United States – The Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open concluded over Memorial Day weekend, running from May 21st to May 24th. The tournament, impacted early by rain that moved play indoors, saw some high-stakes action and notable results at the Queens College indoor tennis centre and the Billie Jean USTA National Training Center.

Sofia Sewing showcased her strong form by winning her fourth championship title of the 2025 season. Now holding the #1 seed position on the APP Tour, Sewing defeated Nicole Eugenio in the women's singles final, losing just one game across her nine games played in the event. The tournament's major status awarded her 1.5x the standard APP points.

The men's singles final delivered a thriller, with Armaan Bhatia overcoming Alex Crum. Bhatia claimed the victory in straight games, but the second game was a remarkable, drawn-out battle ending 27-25. This win marked Bhatia's second medal and first gold on the APP Tour this year. Other notable winners included Jack Munro in men's doubles with Aiden Schenk and mixed doubles with Megan Fudge, and Allison Harris/Bobbi Oshiro in women's doubles.

India's Shrey Surya Mishra Resigns with Maxwill After Golden 2024 Season

New Delhi, India – Maxwill Pickleball Sports has announced the re-signing of Shrey Surya Mishra, one of India’s top-ranked and most promising pickleball athletes. The decision follows Mishra's spectacular 2024 season, marked by numerous significant victories.

Mishra's achievements in 2024 included winning Gold at the English Open (Advanced 4.0 Challenger Division) and Bronze at the World Pickleball Series in Hong Kong. He also secured triumphs at two of India’s largest team events, the Maxwill 360 Team Championship and the Mark10 Team Championship. A notable moment was his victory over Japan’s number one player, Kenta Myoshi, at the Indian Open 2025. Maxwill highlighted that Mishra has consistently represented them as both a champion and a brand ambassador at tournaments.

Beyond playing, Mishra will continue his role as Instagram Manager for Maxwill, creating behind-the-scenes and training content to engage fans. Andre Roberts, Global Business Development Manager at Maxwill, praised Mishra, stating he "embodies the essence of Maxwill Pickleball—excellence, grit, and leadership". The company expects its digital presence to grow under his guidance.

Uganda Pickleball Open Returns for Third Year, Drawing Clubs and International Players

Kampala, Uganda – The third edition of the Uganda Pickleball Open is set to take place next month at the Old Kampala Indoor Arena, running from June 14-15. This year's tournament is expected to be the biggest yet, with over ten clubs fielding contestants.

Players will compete for honours across five events: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Competition will involve group stages, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals before the semifinals and finals. Winners will receive medals, certificates, and prize money.

Registration for the event remains open until June 7. Organisers anticipate between 64 to 80 players, including participants from clubs like Makerere University, Kikaaya, and Jinja. The tournament is also set to draw individual players from outside the country, including the UK and Japan. The event is seen as a step towards growing the sport nationally and sending players to international competitions.

Inside the Grind: DUPR, Pro Player Go Behind the Scenes at PPA Challenger in Portland

Portland, Maine, United States – Three individuals – Corey from DUPR, pro player Isang, and Josh – embarked on a mission to provide an inside look at the 2025 PPA Challenger Series stop in Portland. Their goal was to understand the tour and share the experiences of aspiring pickleball players.

This PPA Challenger Series is a new tour supported by JOOLA and the PPA. To offer fans an authentic perspective, a companion content series was launched, sending this trio, including Corey, who admitted to never having seen a professional pickleball event before. The tournament took place at The Picklr facility.

At the event, they observed a highly focused crowd. Many players were former tennis athletes hoping to go pro in pickleball. The environment was described as intense, requiring endurance and mental focus. Beyond the competitive intensity, conversations often revolved around food, specifically lobster rolls, which Corey sampled. The unique atmosphere inside The Picklr was even compared to a casino. Having documented the experience, the team is ready for the next stop on the tour.

Tech Firm Hyperspace Ventures Invests Massive $5.56 Million in Pickleball

Raleigh, United States – Hyperspace Ventures, a global tech company based in North Carolina, has announced a significant expansion of its investment focus, deploying USD $5.56 million specifically into pickleball-related ventures. This substantial funding is part of a larger USD $6.8 million capital deployment undertaken since the end of 2024, targeting both emerging technology and the rapidly expanding sport of pickleball.

Known primarily for its work in software design and digital product development, Hyperspace Ventures is directing its pickleball investment towards areas including technology within the sport, new facilities, and professional pickleball circuits. The company's decision is driven by pickleball's remarkable growth trajectory, highlighted by a 223% surge in participation over the last three years and a market valuation already exceeding USD $1.5 billion.

This strategic allocation positions Hyperspace Ventures as a significant investor in the sport. The move underscores the increasing appeal and economic potential of pickleball, attracting substantial capital from diverse sectors. While specific projects receiving the $5.56 million were not detailed, the investment is seen as an exciting development poised to fuel further growth across different facets of the sport.

Undefeated Smash Squad Wins Inaugural LawStrings Pickleball Premier League for Lawyers

Delhi, India – The Smash Squad, owned by Senior Advocate Sonia Mathur and led by Advocate Nachiketa Vajpayee, has claimed victory in the first-ever LawStrings Pickleball Premier League – Lawyer’s Edition. The event, held on Sunday at Rackonnect Exclusive Padel Pickle Park in Mehrauli, brought together legal professionals from across India.

Smash Squad remained undefeated throughout the tournament, culminating in a win against Legal Pickle in the final to secure the Gold Cup. Legal Pickle, mentored by Advocate Shrey Sharawat, received the Silver Cup, while Net-workers, led by Senior Advocate Haripriya Padmanabhan, took home the Bronze Cup. The eight-team tournament was officially recognised by the Indian Pickleball Association.

The league was founded by Shubham Malhotra of LawStrings Management with the aim of creating a dedicated sports platform for the legal fraternity. The success of this inaugural season has shown significant interest in pickleball among lawyers, leading to plans for a bigger second season.