Good morning, pickleballers – another day has disappeared in the world of pickleball but as ever, much has happened.
Before you dive into today’s pickleball news – have you checked out the latest magazine and podcast?
Cincinnati Showcases Pickleball’s Elite: Bright and Waters dominate, Buckner gets revenge, Fed and HP survive
Cincinnati, USA – The Veolia Cincinnati Showcase presented by Six Zero has been a hotbed of thrilling pickleball action, featuring remarkable comebacks, dominant victories, and fierce competition at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. On September 11 and 12, 2025, top talents battled through the PPA Tour event, pushing toward the finals in all five pro categories.
Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters demonstrated overwhelming control in the women’s doubles pro main draw, cruising into the quarterfinals. They dispatched Lina Padegimaite and Vivienne David in straight sets, 11-1 and 11-2, leaving their opponents with few opportunities to score. Their strong form positions them as a formidable duo for the remainder of the tournament.
In women’s singles, Brooke Buckner avenged a previous PPA Masters loss by defeating No. 12 seed Genie Bouchard 7-11, 11-6, 11-7. After dropping the first game, the No. 5 seed shifted her strategy to a more kitchen-centric game style, enabling her comeback victory after nearly an hour on court. Buckner is set to face her training partner, No. 2 seed Kate Fahey, in Friday’s quarterfinal.
Men’s doubles saw Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu secure a solid victory in the Round of 32, beating Cason Campbell and Adam Harvey 11-8, 11-7. Their composed teamwork and smart placement earned them a spot in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Etta Tuionetoa and Federico Staksrud mounted a thrilling comeback in mixed doubles, overcoming Eric Oncins and Tina Pisnik 4-11, 11-1, 12-10 to reach the quarterfinals.
In a testament to resilience, Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin survived an upset bid in men’s doubles, defeating No. 18 seeds Ryan Fu and Max Freeman 11-0, 4-11, 11-9. This crucial win keeps Staksrud, who achieved three wins on an upset-filled Thursday, in contention for a Triple Crown in Cincinnati, a feat only one other player (Anna Leigh Waters) is currently eligible for. They will advance to face No. 5 seeds Jaume Martinez Vich and Dylan Frazier in Friday’s quarterfinal. The tournament continues to deliver high-stakes matches, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Brisbane Pickleball Heats Up: Dikosavljevic, Van Reek, Brown, Wong Set for Championship Showdowns
Brisbane, Australia – The PPA Tour Australia’s QLD Pickleball Slam and MLPA #4 brought intense action to Brisbane, Queensland, on September 11, 2025, culminating in thrilling final matchups for the Pro Women’s and Men’s Singles 5.0+ categories.
In the Pro Women’s Singles 5.0+ bracket, the quarterfinals saw strong performances from Andie Dikosavljevic, Yufei Long, Sahra Dennehy, and Roos Van Reek, all securing their semifinal spots. Andie Dikosavljevic defeated Katie Morris 11-5, 11-8, showcasing consistent play. Yufei Long dominated Danni-elle Townsend with solid strokes to win 11-8, 11-5. Sahra Dennehy navigated a tight three-game battle against Ekaterina Biakina, winning 11-4, 6-11, 11-8. Roos Van Reek advanced smoothly, beating Kwon Mihae 11-8, 11-5.
The semifinals then set the stage for the championship. Andie Dikosavljevic continued her dominant run, defeating Yufei Long 11-3, 11-1 with strong serves and consistent shots. In the second semifinal, Roos Van Reek triumphed over Sahra Dennehy 11-3, 11-3, maintaining control throughout their rallies. Both Dikosavljevic and Van Reek have advanced to the Pro Women’s Singles 5.0+ final, promising an exciting championship clash.
The Pro Men’s Singles 5.0+ quarterfinals also delivered captivating matches. Joseph Wild defeated Andrew Horridge 11-5, 11-4. Louis Laville mounted a comeback against Adam Daggmarr, winning 3-11, 11-8, 11-6. Hong Kit Wong outlasted Freddie Powell 12-10, 11-3. Harrison Brown dominated Michael Massih 11-1, 11-2. These four players moved into the semifinals.
In the men’s semifinals, Harrison Brown showcased strong control, defeating Louis Laville 11-2, 11-1. Hong Kit Wong secured his spot in the final by overcoming Joseph Wild 11-2, 11-7 with consistent shots and strong defence. Brown and Wong are now set to face each other in the Pro Men’s Singles 5.0+ final, with fans anticipating a highly competitive championship match.
“Pickleball With a Purpose” Tournament Fuels Education for Over 1,000 Ghanaian Children
USA – The Paula Marshall Foundation recently hosted “Pickleball With a Purpose,” a charitable tournament designed to raise crucial funds for educational initiatives in Ghana. The event brought together community members who not only enjoyed the fast-growing sport of pickleball but also contributed to a profound cause: providing education to children in West Africa.
The Paula Marshall Foundation has already made a significant impact by building multiple schools in Ghana, offering educational opportunities to over 1,000 children. The “Pickleball With a Purpose” tournament aimed to further these efforts, seeking to expand access to learning for even more children in the region.
Paula Marshall, the CEO of Bama Companies, underscored the immense value of education for children globally. “What I see in the kids in Ghana, they really appreciate the opportunity to get an education,” Marshall stated, also offering a powerful message to students in the United States. “Sometimes, I want to say that to our kids here in the U.S. Don’t take your education for granted. It’s really important for you to be able to grow in life and grow economically and do things that you want to do and travel. You won’t be limited if you keep learning”.
Participants in the tournament engaged in friendly competition while learning more about the foundation’s vital work. The event served as a potent reminder to the community about the transformative power of education and the importance of giving back. The funds generated will empower the Paula Marshall Foundation to continue its mission of building schools and supporting students in Ghana, with the hope of inspiring both local and global communities to champion educational initiatives that empower children.
Gloucestershire Pickleball League Soars: Over 60 Players Join Inaugural Night
Gloucester, United Kingdom – The new Gloucestershire Pickleball League kicked off with an astonishing start last night, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, leaving its organiser “blown away” by the overwhelming response. More than 60 players of all ages and abilities flocked to the Oxstalls Sports Centre in Gloucester for the inaugural night’s action, following a rapid surge in entries for the league.
Ian Walkley, the league director, expressed his delight, stating, “I’m absolutely blown away by the positivity tonight and the standard of play. The main thing is that everybody is really having fun and enjoying it and there’s some fantastic pickleball being played”. The new league is proudly sponsored by Punchline-Gloucester.com, with editor Mark Owen even participating in the fast-growing sport.
The league is structured as a team event, embracing participants of all ages and genders playing together. Each team competes in three games per evening, with each game comprising four matches: one ladies’ match, one men’s match, and two mixed games, which will contribute to a league table. Walkley confirmed there are three divisions, and while the best teams will eventually settle in Division One, trophies are planned for every division. He also extended his gratitude to Punchline for their support.
Mark Owen, who played for the Pickleball Pirates team, enthusiastically remarked on the experience: “It was great fun. It keeps you super fit for all ages. It’s the first pickleball league in Gloucestershire. There were some really great teams there last night”. The successful launch signifies a monumental step for pickleball in the region, establishing the county’s first official league.
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.