UPA Contract Crackdown, WPBL Expansion, Asia Rankings and Global Results
Good morning, pickleballers!
It is Thursday already, wow. These weeks bounce on by.
There's been some huge pickleball news in the last 24 hours, so you can read all about it below.
But, before you do that, tune in to the latest World Pickleball Podcast where Gordo and I talk about some of the biggest stories from the last week.
Right then, on with the latest world pickleball news!
Contract Crackdown: UPA Terminates Top Pros Ignatowich and Fu Over Japan Rebel Tour
Dallas, USA – The United Pickleball Association (UPA) has taken decisive action against three of its contracted professionals, terminating the agreements of James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, and Vivian Glozman, effective immediately. The terminations come after the players participated in unsanctioned events organised by the Pickleball Japan Federation in Tokyo, a direct violation of their exclusivity clauses.
According to PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe, the players were featured in advertising that leveraged their status as UPA champions to promote a competitor. "This is not a gray area," Pardoe stated, emphasizing that the UPA invests over $30 million annually in player salaries specifically to secure exclusive rights to their participation. He noted that allowing players to support competing organizations in key markets like Japan—where the PPA and MLP are actively negotiating partnerships—would be "catastrophic" to the business.
Another top player, Parris Todd, also participated in the Tokyo events but faces different potential sanctions. Unlike the others, Todd requested a limited waiver for a specific camp. However, UPA officials stated that her actual activities "far exceeded" the approved scope, though they acknowledged she attempted to follow protocol.
The terminations effectively end the PPA Tour careers of Ignatowich and Fu for the foreseeable future. The decision also impacts Major League Pickleball (MLP), leaving the Chicago Slice and SoCal Hard Eights scrambling to fill roster spots for the 2026 season. Despite the ban, Ignatowich’s paddle company, RPM, will retain its equipment certification.
Desert Expansion: Billionaire Backs Jaipur Djinns as World Pickleball League Grows
Jaipur, India – The World Pickleball League (WPBL) is expanding its footprint into Rajasthan with the acquisition of the "Jaipur Djinns" franchise by billionaire Siddharth Shankar. Shankar, Chairman of UK-based Tails Trading, sees the investment as a strategic move to tap into India's growing sports ecosystem.
The addition of the Jaipur franchise brings the total number of WPBL teams to seven for the upcoming season. Consequently, the league schedule will expand significantly, jumping from 90 matches in the debut season to 120 matches for Season 2. The action is set to commence on January 24, 2026, at the Jio World Garden in Mumbai.
Shankar, who has previously invested in US soccer leagues, was drawn to the WPBL's vision of building a scalable community ecosystem rather than just a sports league. "Success comes from scale, participation and consistency," Shankar noted, expressing confidence in building a commercially viable franchise in a city with a rich sports legacy.
The Jaipur Djinns have already begun structuring their competitive operations, hiring Lee Whitwell as head coach. The team roster has been confirmed following a player draft, featuring international and local talent, including Amanda Hendry, Giang Trinh, and Naveen Beasley. WPBL Founder Gaurav Natekar welcomed the expansion, stating that the move into Rajasthan reflects the league's commitment to becoming a truly national force.
Trailblazer on the Sidelines: Monica Menon Defines New Era for Women in Indian Pickleball
Mumbai, India – The inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) has witnessed a historic milestone with Monica Menon taking charge as the head coach of the Capital Warriors Gurgaon, making her the only woman to hold a head coaching position in the league. Menon believes her presence on the bench represents a significant shift in the sport’s landscape, signalling that women can shape the future of pickleball in India not just as players, but as strategic leaders.
Reflecting on her debut season, Menon described the role as a "massive duty" that went far beyond basic strategy. With a roster featuring international talent who had never played together, her primary challenge was team coordination and understanding the unique gameplay and psychology of each athlete. "It was a huge responsibility. And I am proud of it," Menon stated, viewing her position as a vision she carries for the entire community.
Menon is vocal about the need for more female representation in coaching, noting that while there are many female players, the coaching ranks remain thin. She emphasises that women often bring patience and compassion to the role, traits that are particularly effective when training children or adults taking up the sport later in life. She argues that for pickleball to truly grow in India, women must be trailblazers on the sidelines as well as on the court.
By stepping into this high-pressure role, Menon hopes to dismantle the hesitation many women feel about balancing professional responsibilities with sports leadership. Her tenure at the IPBL 2025 is being hailed as a pathway for mentoring the next generation of talent in the Indian pickleball ecosystem.
Painting North Vancouver Pink: Fairgrounds Racket Club Brings Accessible Pickleball to the West Coast
North Vancouver, Canada – A vibrant new chapter for pickleball on the West Coast begins this week as the Fairgrounds Racket Club opens its massive 60,000-square-foot facility inside a former Sears at Capilano Mall. Breaking away from the tradition of exclusive, "stuffy" private clubs, Fairgrounds aims to make the sport accessible to everyone with a philosophy of "no awkward gatekeeping, just great courts".
To celebrate its launch, the club is hosting a free-to-play opening weekend from December 12 to 14, offering locals complimentary court time, coach-led clinics, and community socials. The facility features 15 indoor courts painted in candy-pink and other vibrant hues, designed to be as "Instagrammable" as they are functional. Beyond the courts, the venue includes a hitting wall, social lounges, and a pro shop stocking retro-cool merchandise.
The club operates on a public model, meaning there are no initiation fees to join. While memberships are available—including a founding membership with unlimited play—enthusiasts can also simply drop in for an hourly rate. This approach aligns with the explosive growth of pickleball in Canada, where participation has jumped by 57 percent since 2022.
Fairgrounds is positioning itself as a community hub, partnering with local brands for food and wellness services, including Myodetox massages and treats from Lee’s Donuts. With future plans for child-friendly camps and a gym, the club hopes to convert "pseudo-jocks" and seasoned players alike into regulars at what is now Canada’s fastest-growing network of public racket clubs.
Spanish Circuit Wrap-Up: Ignasi de Rueda and Pep Canyadell Dominate the Pickle Pro Tour
Madrid, Spain – The inaugural season of the Pickle Pro Tour has concluded, crowning its most consistent performers after a gruelling circuit across Spain. In the Men's Doubles category, Catalan star Ignasi de Rueda emerged as the season leader, proving to be the most formidable player on the tour.
De Rueda’s path to the top was paved with gold, securing victories in Alcobendas, Barcelona, and Mijas. His ability to adapt to different partners was on full display, as he won titles alongside French talent Théo Platel and British player Joshua Bright. Despite a semifinal exit in Gran Canaria, his 5,340 cumulative points secured him the number one spot. However, the race was incredibly tight; the duo of Jesús García and David Illescas finished just 20 points behind, having reached five finals and winning three of them.
In other categories, Pep Canyadell solidified his status as a triple threat. In addition to leading the Men's Singles and Mixed Doubles rankings, Canyadell finished fourth in Men's Doubles. His season included a gold medal in Alcobendas, partnering with de Rueda and a silver in Málaga.
The women’s field saw Sabrina Méndez rise to the occasion, finishing at the top of the rankings after an "unstoppable" performance throughout the season. Her rivalry with Raquel Amaro provided some of the tour's most spectacular highlights, particularly in the Women's Singles finals. As the tour looks toward 2026, the tight point margins promise even fiercer competition for the top spots.
Asia’s Best Crowned: Hong Kit Wong and Ting Chieh Wei Shine in PPA Tour Asia Rankings
Hong Kong – The PPA Tour Asia has officially closed the books on its inaugural season, releasing the final rankings that highlight the dominance of the region's top talent. Leading the pack is local hero Hong Kit Wong, who secured the season-ending number one ranking in both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles.
Wong’s singles campaign was defined by consistency, earning five medals across seven events, including an emotional gold on home soil at the Hong Kong Open. In doubles, he shared the top spot with his steadfast partner, Eunggwon Kim. The pair played together all season, collecting two bronze medals and a silver, proving that long-term chemistry pays dividends in rankings points.
On the women's side, Yufei Long claimed the number one ranking in singles after a season that included three tournament victories, starting with a marathon win in Malaysia. However, the Women’s Doubles category belonged to Ting Chieh Wei, who achieved a rare feat: winning three gold medals with three different partners. Her versatility cemented her status as the league's most adaptable and dominant doubles player.
In Mixed Doubles, Jonathan Truong captured the men's number one spot following a chaotic season where no clear leader emerged until the final events. Truong’s consistency, anchored by a gold at the MB Vietnam Cup, pushed him to the top. Meanwhile, Alix Truong surged late in the season to take titles in Vietnam and Hangzhou, finishing her year with statement victories.
British and Italian Stars Sweep Gold at Siena International Pickleball Open
Siena, Italy – The courts of Tuscany hosted high-level drama this week as the champions of the Siena International Pickleball Open 2025 were crowned. In a showcase of international talent, players from the United Kingdom and Italy divided the top honours in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The Women’s Singles Open final delivered the tournament's most memorable match, with English player Thaddea Lock battling past Francesca Rumi. Lock recovered from a first-game loss to secure the title with a 7–11, 11–7, 11–17 victory. Her compatriot, James Chaudry, mirrored her success in the Men’s Singles Open. Chaudry displayed dominance in his final against Matteo Cugliari, sweeping the match 11–7, 11–0 to take the gold.
The chemistry between Lock and Chaudry extended beyond their individual successes; the duo also teamed up to clinch the Mixed Doubles Open victory. Organisers praised the pair not only for their "super top-level" skill but for their sportsmanship, calling them wonderful ambassadors for the sport.
In the senior categories, local Italian talent shone through. Silvia Storari claimed the Women’s Singles Open 40+ title, defeating Claudia Caselli in a three-game thriller that ended 11–3, 3–11, 11–6. The event concluded with warm wishes from the organizers, who are already looking ahead to the 2026 edition of the tournament.