What’s the Score?
Los Angeles, USA – In a statement that has sent ripples through the professional pickleball community, Vietnamese phenom Quang Duong has forecasted a dramatic shift in the sport’s global power dynamics. Fresh off a flight to Los Angeles, Duong took to social media to declare that the Asian market is not merely growing, but is on the verge of overtaking the established hierarchy. His central prediction, attributed to insights from his father, suggests that within the next three years—or perhaps even sooner—nearly 50 percent of the world’s top male players will hail from Asia.
Hit it deeper!
The catalyst for this debate was a Facebook post Duong shared immediately upon landing in the United States. “Asia is expected to become a highly competitive market for pickleball in 2026,” he wrote, framing the upcoming year as a pivotal turning point for the sport. While the prediction might seem audacious to observers accustomed to North American dominance, Duong argues that the evidence is already visible on the court.
He points to specific, high-profile upsets that occurred in 2025 as proof of concept. Notably, he highlighted the Hangzhou Open, a tournament that saw significant breakthroughs for Asian talent. In a stunning display of skill, Vietnam’s Hoang Nam Ly defeated World No. 2 Federico Staksrud, while Hong Kong’s Jack Wong Hong-kit secured a shock victory over World No. 4 Connor Garnett. These were not merely isolated wins, but rather indicators that the skill gap between the American elite and Asia’s rising stars is narrowing far more rapidly than industry experts anticipated.
Duong also used the platform to air grievances regarding the industry’s past reluctance to embrace the region. He revealed that as recently as 2023, major industry stakeholders dismissed the potential of the Asian market. “My Dad multiple times asked my former paddle sponsors and pro tour to come to Asia… but they looked down. They didn’t care at all,” Duong noted. He contrasted that previous apathy with the current “rush” of brands like Franklin Sports and Facolos now clamouring to establish a foothold in Vietnam and beyond alongside giants like JOOLA.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Quang Duong’s comments represent more than just the confidence of a young star; they signal a fundamental geopolitical shift in the sport. For years, pickleball has been viewed primarily as an American export. However, the rapid professionalisation described by Duong—characterised by record crowds, new professional events, and aggressive equipment manufacturing in Asia—suggests the “American era” of uncontested dominance may be drawing to a close.
If Duong’s timeline is accurate, 2026 will be the year the sport truly globalizes, moving from a US-centric pastime to a worldwide competitive discipline. The frustration expressed regarding sponsors who “looked down” on the region serves as a cautionary tale for the industry: in the fast-moving world of pickleball, overlooking emerging markets is a strategic error. As Duong put it, the region is no longer content to follow global trends but is now determined to shape the future of professional pickleball.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.