Updates from Atlanta PPA, Canada, Scotland, Spain and more

Good morning, pickleballers!

Lots of pickleball news for you today as we cover the world game.

Let's dive right in - and if you prefer the news in your ears, you can listen to our AI-driven Deep Dive below. It's really good, try it.

Third Seeds Tested Early: Alshon/Daescu Outlast Gritty Opponents in Three-Game Fight

Atlanta, USA – The third seeds in men's doubles, Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu, faced an unexpectedly tight contest in their opening match at the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships. They ultimately secured an 11-8, 9-11, 11-4 victory over No. 32 seeds Zane Ford and Tam Trinh. Ford and Trinh employed a "more chaotic style of play" that challenged the favoured duo. After dropping the second game, Alshon and Daescu rebounded to comfortably take the decider. Daescu commented that they focused on staying solid and trusting their game, even acknowledging it wasn't his personal best level. Despite the challenge, the No. 3 seeds advanced to the Round of 16, where they will face No. 13 seeds Julian Arnold and Pat Smith.

New Duo Dominates: Parenteau & Rohrabacher's First Match Together a Stunner

Atlanta, USA – A brand new partnership in women's doubles made an emphatic debut at the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships. Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher, playing together for the first time this week, dominated No. 25 seeds Michelle Esquivel and Hannah Blatt with an 11-2, 11-4 victory. This pairing formed after the notable decision by Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright to team up. Rohrabacher described the transition as easy, emphasising the support she received from Parenteau. She added that they are "really excited and motivated to do well" and appreciate the supportive fans. The new duo moves on to face No. 16 seeds Angie Walker and Alex Walker on Thursday.

Smith/Devilliers Mount Epic Comeback: Mixed Doubles Pair Storms Back for Thrilling Win

Atlanta, USA – The No. 16 seeds in mixed doubles, Callie Smith and Jay Devilliers, staged an epic comeback to secure their spot in the Round of 16. Facing No. 18 seeds Allyce Jones and Travis Rettenmaier, Smith and Devilliers dropped the first game 6-11. However, they swiftly regrouped, dominating the next two games 11-3 and 11-5 to clinch the match. The final score of 6-11, 11-3, 11-5 reflected their strong finish after the initial setback. This thrilling three-game victory sends Smith and Devilliers forward to face the formidable No. 2 seeds, Jorja and JW Johnson, on Thursday.

Jansen/Khlif's Clutch Performance: Three-Game Rally Sees Duo Advance to Mixed Doubles Sweet Sixteen

Atlanta, USA – In a display of clutch performance, Lea Jansen and Noe Khlif battled through a three-game thriller to reach the mixed doubles Round of 16. The duo faced a tough test against No. 20 seeds Lucy Kovalova and Matt Wright. After splitting the first two games (11-6, 6-11), the match came down to a decisive third game. Jansen and Khlif showed resilience, rallying from a 6-9 deficit to claim the game and the match with an 11-9 finish. Their hard-fought 11-6, 6-11, 11-9 victory sets up a Round of 16 clash against No. 4 seeds Etta Tuionetoa and Christian Alshon.

Devilliers Defies the Odds (Again): 'Flying Frenchman' Conquers Top-5 Seed Martinez Vich in Marathon Match

Atlanta, USA – Jay Devilliers, the 'Flying Frenchman,' defied the odds with another remarkable performance, defeating No. 5 seed Jaume Martinez Vich in a men's singles marathon. The No. 35 seed secured a hard-fought 5-11, 11-9, 13-11 victory. Devilliers showed incredible resilience, coming back from being down 0-6 in the second game after dropping the first, and later trailing 0-5 in the decisive third game. He credited his ability to finish on a preferred side of the court in Game 3 for helping him close the gap. The match lasted over an hour. Devilliers noted the win was particularly satisfying after previous close losses to Martinez Vich, stating he was "very, very happy with the win" in just his fourth singles event of the year. He now advances to face No. 11 seed Gabe Tardio on Thursday.

Never Count Him Out: Frazier Engineers Daring Game 3 Comeback to Survive Singles Scare

Atlanta, USA – No. 9 seed Dylan Frazier proved you can never count him out in men's singles, engineering a daring comeback to survive a scare and advance to the Round of 16. Facing No. 25 seed Donald Young, Frazier found himself in deep trouble in the deciding third game, trailing 4-9. However, in a stunning display of grit, Frazier rallied to win the final seven points, flipping the script to secure an 11-9 victory in the third game. His final score was 6-11, 11-1, 11-9. This hard-fought survival propels Frazier into the next round.

Pickleball Shocker! Unseeded Alexander Crum Topples World #1 Federico Staksrud in Atlanta Upset

Atlanta, USA – A major pickleball shocker reverberated through the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships when unseeded Alexander Crum delivered a monumental upset. Crum, the No. 65 seed, stunned the pickleball world by toppling the World #1 and top seed, Federico Staksrud, in the men's singles Round of 64. The match ended with a score of 11-9, 5-11, 11-6 in favour of Crum. This stunning result, coming from a player who battled through the qualifying rounds, is being highlighted as a prime example of the increasing parity on the PPA Tour, where past success and seeding offer no guarantees.

Alshon's Stunning Escape: Christian Rallies From Brink of Defeat to Edge Arnold in Singles Epic

Atlanta, USA – No. 7 seed Christian Alshon pulled off a stunning escape in a men's singles epic, rallying from the brink of defeat to edge past Julian Arnold. In the Round of 32 clash, Alshon ultimately secured a 12-14, 11-5, 11-9 victory. After losing the first game despite an early lead, Alshon found himself in deep trouble again in the deciding third game, trailing No. 34 seed Julian Arnold 9-4. Showing immense mental fortitude, Alshon scored the final seven points of the match to complete the dramatic comeback. He praised Arnold's strong play, particularly his passing shots and angle winners, admitting it was "really hard to mentally stay in it". Alshon now advances to face No. 22 seed Adam Harvey on Thursday.

Truluck Takes Control: Late Run Seals Comeback Victory in Women's Singles Thriller

Atlanta, USA – In a women's singles thriller that lasted over an hour, No. 19 seed Liz Truluck took control late in the deciding game to secure a comeback victory over No. 12 seed Dominique Schaefer. After dropping the first game and winning the second, Truluck faced a significant deficit in Game 3, trailing 2-6. However, Truluck found her stride, mounting a crucial 7-1 run that allowed her to seize momentum and ultimately close out the match with an 11-9 victory in the third game. Her final score was 10-12, 11-3, 11-9. Truluck now advances to face No. 8 seed Salome Devidze on Thursday with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.

Top Seeds Untroubled: Waters and Fahey Cruise Through Early Rounds in Atlanta Singles

Atlanta, USA – While many top players faced difficult early matches, the top two seeds in women's singles, Anna Leigh Waters and Kate Fahey, proved untroubled, cruising through their opening rounds. World No. 1 Waters defeated No. 27 seed Lauren Stratman comfortably with scores of 11-2, 11-2. Similarly, No. 2 seed Fahey dispatched No. 25 seed Samantha Parker in dominant fashion, winning 11-5, 11-1. Both players secured straight-game victories, showcasing their strong form from the outset of the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships. Waters now awaits her next opponent, while Fahey will face either Danna Funaro or Angie Walker.

Parity Claims an Icon: Tyson McGuffin's Early Atlanta Exit Signals Changing Landscape on Tour

Atlanta, USA – The Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships saw parity claim an icon this week, as veteran star Tyson McGuffin suffered a surprisingly early exit. McGuffin, an icon of the sport with 86 PPA Tour medals, fell in the Round of 32 in both mixed and men's doubles. He and Lacy Schneemann lost in straight games in mixed. Later, he and Noe Khlif lost a three-game battle in men's doubles to DJ Young and Blaine Hovenier (11-5, 5-11, 11-7). His early departure is highlighted as significant evidence of the growing parity on the PPA Tour. The landscape is changing, demonstrating that regardless of past success or seeding, "no one is safe". McGuffin is still considered a top competitor, but his loss underscores the increasing level of competition.

Pickleball with Purpose: Malaysia Hosts Charity Tournament for a Worthy Cause

Selangor, Malaysia – Pickleball enthusiasts in Malaysia have an opportunity to compete for bragging rights and support a charitable cause simultaneously with the upcoming KL PRIMA Pickleball Challenge 2025. Organized by the Lions Club of KL Prima in conjunction with partial sponsor Diadem, this tournament is a dedicated charity competition where all proceeds will be given to a charity of choice by the Lions Club.

The event is scheduled for June 14, 2025, running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. It will be held at Pickle Crown @Tropicana Sports Centre in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. The competition features Men's Doubles only, catering specifically to intermediate and lower intermediate skill levels (DUPR below 3.5). Matches will use rally scoring up to 15 in elimination rounds, 21 in the semis, and 15 in the final and bronze medal matches, with sudden death used at all levels. The registration fee is RM120 per person, with prizes totalling up to RM3,000 at stake. It's a chance to pick up a paddle and rally for a good cause.

MLP's Bold Bet: Dallas Flash Recruit Former Soccer Pro in Roster Shakeup

USA – The initial Waiver Period #1 in Major League Pickleball on Tuesday, May 14, 2025, resulted in significant roster adjustments as teams look to gain an edge early in the season. Among the most intriguing changes was the Dallas Flash's acquisition of Ivan Jakovljevic. Jakovljevic adds a distinct athletic dimension to the team, having previously competed as a former professional soccer player.

The Flash, currently boasting an undefeated 4-0 record and holding the title of 2024 Premier level champions, made this move by releasing Wyatt Stone. Jakovljevic's path to the Flash involved recent stops with the SoCal Hard Eights and Columbus Sliders. This strategic decision by Dallas underscores their commitment to strengthening their roster. The same day also saw other moves, including the SoCal Hard Eights adding young talent in 17-year-old Jalina Ingram. These roster shakeups highlight the competitive nature of the league.

Teen Talent Joins MLP Ranks: 17-Year-Old Jalina Ingram Added by SoCal Hard Eights

USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) saw several roster adjustments during the first Waiver Period #1, which concluded on Tuesday, May 14, 2025. Among the significant moves, the SoCal Hard Eights added rising talent Jalina Ingram to their roster. At just 17 years old, Ingram is noted as one of the youngest players signed by the United Pickleball Association.

The SoCal Hard Eights made this addition by releasing Lauren Hidalgo-Smith from their alternate roster spot. Currently holding a 0-2 record with one point, the team's decision to add Ingram highlights their efforts to strengthen their lineup and potentially bounce back in the season. Jalina Ingram will now have the opportunity to compete at the Premier level of Major League Pickleball, showcasing her skills against the league's best. This move underscores the increasing integration of young players into professional pickleball.

Is Singles Pickleball Broken? Kitchen Piece Declares Format 'Mini Tennis' and 'Not Very Interesting'

USA – An opinion piece published this week by The Kitchen has sparked discussion by arguing that modern singles pickleball has become "mini tennis" and is "not very interesting". The article, written by Alex Lantz, Director of Content, contends that the format lacks the nuance and interesting elements found in doubles play.

This perspective is echoed by the world No. 1 singles player, Federico Staksrud, who stated on X that singles pickleball is now "mini tennis". The piece suggests the strategy in singles has become overly simple, focusing on powerful serves and returns. It also notes the format is often dominated by athletic former tennis players. Furthermore, the author points to the overwhelming dominance of Anna Leigh Waters in women's singles as a reason the format is less compelling to watch. The opinion piece questions the current state of singles and whether it holds the same appeal as other forms of the sport.

Philippine Pickleball Makes History: Inaugural National Championship Set for Qualified Athletes

Marikina City, Philippines – The Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF), supported by the Global Pickleball Federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee, is set to host the first Philippine Pickleball National Championship 2025. This landmark event will take place from May 30 to June 1, 2025, at Dink & Shot in Marikina City.

Participation is restricted to qualified players. Eligibility requires players to have won a medal in an Advanced or Open category at the 2024 PPF NOVA Invitational or a 2024 PPF National Circuit Leg Tournament. The championship will feature a range of events including Men's and Women's Singles and Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, across Advanced and Open categories for age groups 19+, 35+, and 55+. The registration fee is ₱1,500 per player, with additional events costing ₱1,000 each. The registration deadline is May 16, 2025, marking a significant step for competitive pickleball in the Philippines.

Spain Embraces Pickleball: Andalusian Circuit Event Draws Over 130 Players to Torre de Benagalbon

Torre de Benagalbón, Spain – The Rubén Ruzafa Pavilion in Torre de Benagalbon is currently the focal point for Andalusian pickleball, hosting the fourth scoring event of the first Andalusian Circuit this weekend. Running from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 May, the tournament has drawn a competitive field of more than 130 players from across Spain. These athletes are competing intensely to earn crucial points towards their regional and national rankings, aiming to secure a coveted spot in the circuit's Final Masters.

Jointly organised by the Pickleball Axarquia Club and the local sports department, the event showcases a wide array of categories, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The participants represent a broad spectrum of ages, from children to players over 60. The competition officially began on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. with the men’s +60 singles held at Parque Jaime Pimentel. Councillor for Sports Antonio José Martín noted that this event significantly raises the profile of Rincon de la Victoria and underscores the rapid growth of pickleball, citing over a hundred local players. The fact that entry to all matches is completely free highlights the organisers' effort to promote the sport. This scoring event is considered a significant fixture on the national calendar.

Regina Athlete Drafted: Anna Dyachenko Joins Canadian National Pickleball League Ranks

Regina, Canada – A local athlete is stepping up to the national professional stage. Anna Dyachenko, a 36-year-old pickleball player from Regina, was selected in the second round of the 2025 Canadian National Pickleball League’s (CNPL) draft. Dyachenko will join the Vancouver Rush, one of the league's eight teams. She spoke of her excitement and commitment to dedicating time to practice and training for the season.

The CNPL, founded in 2023, was established to gather the top Canadian pickleball players who are often scattered across the large country. The 2025 season officially kicks off on Saturday when the Vancouver Rush face the Montreal Lions. Dyachenko, who has won gold medals at events including Canadian nationals, began her pickleball journey 11 years ago after previously playing semi-pro basketball. While acknowledging the potential challenge of facing so many skilled players, she sees it as an opportunity to improve. The league now covers travel for players, making participation more accessible as the sport continues its rapid growth.

Get Ready, Scotland! Scottish Nationals Tournament Just Two Weeks Away in Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland – Pickleball enthusiasts across Scotland are gearing up as the Scottish Nationals tournament is just two weeks away. The event is scheduled to take place from Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1, 2025. The action will unfold at the Scotstoun Leisure Centre in Glasgow.

This prestigious tournament will feature a comprehensive lineup of categories, catering to a wide range of players. Competitions include men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles. There are also Masters events for players aged 50+ and 65+, covering various skill levels, as well as youth singles and doubles. Players eligible to compete must be born or living in Scotland, or have a parent born in Scotland. The organisers have confirmed that entries for the tournament are now closed. Pickleball 52 will provide the latest news from the Nationals.

Sponsor Showdown? Quang Duong Signs Sypik Deal, But Father Calls It 'Too Small'

Asia – Vietnamese pickleball sensation Quang Duong has recently finalised a new sponsorship agreement, but the terms of the deal have prompted a public comment from his father and coach, Duc. Duong, who previously parted ways with Selkirk Sport, has now signed with Sypik, a brand based in Vietnam.

In an interview, Quang's father, Duc, described the agreement as "too small," stating it was a half-million-dollar deal. He asserted that the market value of pickleball in Asia is significantly greater than in the United States, suggesting his son deserves compensation that reflects this larger market. Despite having received offers from other sponsors, Quang reportedly chose Sypik to align with his long-term goal of promoting pickleball in Asia and giving back to Vietnam. The situation underscores potential disparities in player valuation amidst the sport's rapid growth, particularly in the Asian market.