Bhatia’s APP Silver, Philippines Champs, Asia Grows Pickleball
by Joe James
What’s the Score?
Pickleball continues its vibrant expansion worldwide, with this week’s intriguing developments spanning the Philippines to Cincinnati.
In a major milestone on the court for India, Armaan Bhatia earned a silver medal at the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati. This is the first time an Indian man has reached the podium on American soil in an APP Tour Event.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is limbering up to host its inaugural Philippine Pickleball National Championship from May 30 to June 1 in Marikina City, making a bold step forward for the sport’s growth in the country.
Across Southeast Asia, Malaysia has continued to be active. The Selangor International Pickleball Tournament 2025 successfully brought together elite players from over 10 countries in Kuala Lumpur from May 10-12.
In Malaysia, elite competition met community engagement. The Selangor International Pickleball Tournament (May 10–12) drew top-tier players from over 10 nations, while the upcoming KL PRIMA Pickleball Challenge (June 14) focuses on intermediate-level players in a charity format. India contributed its spin with the LawStrings Pickleball Premier League, a one-of-a-kind tournament designed for the legal community, which will be held in South Delhi on May 24 and 25.
Further afield, Bermuda is set to welcome players of all skill levels to the scenic Deloitte Open Tennis and Pickleball Tournament from June 8–14. And in Malaysia again, NEC’s CSR event “Smash Barrier, Serve Hope” brought employees and underprivileged children together through pickleball, showing the sport’s value beyond the court.
Hit it Deeper!
Armaan Bhatia's silver medal at the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati wasn't just a personal triumph—it was a historic moment for Indian pickleball. In the men's singles final, Bhatia clinched the first game 15–11 before narrowly losing the next two to Grayson Goldin, 11–15 and 8–15. This performance elevated his professional record to 10 wins and 4 losses across 14 career matches.
Asia's pickleball scene is in a quick and constant state of evolution, with Vietnam-based company Facolos emerging as a key player. As the Official Paddle Partner for the UPA Asia Trailblazers Program, Facolos supports a cohort of 12 elite athletes selected from over 100 applicants for a three-month intensive training program in the USA. These athletes will receive high-performance coaching and compete in PPA Tour events, using Facolos equipment to enhance their gameplay and compete at the highest level.
In the Philippines, the upcoming national championship is set to feature only medalists from specific 2024 events, ensuring a high competitive standard and helping to further legitimised the professional game. The tournament is backed by the Philippine Pickleball Federation, the Global Pickleball Federation, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The Selangor International Pickleball Tournament in Malaysia showcased the sport's growing appeal, attracting elite players from over 10 countries, including the USA, China, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines. Notably, national athletes from other sports, such as badminton legends Koo Kien Keat and Chan Peng Soon, and footballers Intan Serah and Steffi Sarge Kaur, participated, highlighting pickleball's cross-sport appeal.
India's LawStrings Pickleball Premier League demonstrated the sport's versatility by engaging the legal community in South Delhi on May 24 and 25. Tailored for lawyers, the event blended sport, social wellness, and networking, aiming to become a recurring series.
The KL PRIMA Pickleball Challenge, organised by the Lions Club of KL Prima, is another example of how the game is being used for good. Focused on intermediate players (DUPR below 3.5), it employs rally scoring and directs all proceeds to a local charity. Similarly, NEC Malaysia's CSR event, "Smash Barrier, Serve Hope," used pickleball to engage employees and underprivileged youth, combining sport with STEM education and community outreach.
Adding to the infrastructure story, Wilson's first flagship store in the Philippines has opened in a major Manila mall, offering a full lineup of pickleball gear and further strengthening local access to high-quality equipment.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Pickleball’s global story is being written in many languages. This week, the narrative stretched from legal leagues in India to youth outreach in Malaysia. Standout athletes like Armaan Bhatia are breaking new ground, while nations like the Philippines are institutionalising the sport with national championships and retail growth.
Meanwhile, brands like Facolos are capitalising on Asia’s growth to become global players in gear and development. Events like the Selangor International and KL PRIMA Challenge show how tournaments are adapting to diverse audiences, from elite competitors to community-minded amateurs. And in places like Bermuda, the sport continues to thrive in unexpected corners of the world.
Whether it’s through medals, milestones, or meaningful engagement, pickleball is finding new ways to connect. This week’s roundup shows it’s not just expanding — it’s evolving.