Good morning, pickleballers!
You might have seen on social media yesterday that the first World Pickleball Magazine of 2026 is due to hit the digital shelves tomorrow morning – watch this space, it’s a cracker of a mag to get the New Pickleball Year underway.
In the meantime, we have all the latest pickleball news from the last 24 hours.
Digital Revolution: RTA Tour and Tournated Forge New Era for European Pickleball
St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria – The landscape of European pickleball is undergoing a significant digital transformation as the RTA Pickleball Tour celebrates a defining year of growth powered by its strategic partnership with Tournated. In a move designed to professionalise the sport’s infrastructure, the tour has successfully implemented a “digital backbone” to manage the increasing complexity of rankings, leagues, and live data.
Reflecting on a fast-paced 2025, tour organisers emphasised that the partnership was crucial for managing the sport’s acceleration. The collaboration focused on creating a system that is accessible, structured, and scalable, moving beyond simple match scheduling to create a comprehensive ecosystem for players and fans. The results were on full display at the recent Arlberg Pickleball Championship, where the new Amateur TEAM Event utilized the platform to deliver seamless order of play, live standings, and real-time match updates visible on both web and app interfaces.
“The invisible engine matters,” stated the RTA leadership, noting that the platform has evolved significantly from its state in early 2025 to become a robust system capable of handling complex formats like the Best of 3 sets structure used in team encounters. The technology provided the transparency and flexibility required to align players, fans, and organizers, setting a new standard for modern pickleball infrastructure.
Looking ahead to 2026, the RTA and Tournated have outlined a roadmap for further features, aiming to continue raising standards while keeping the sport open to newcomers. This digital foundation is credited with enabling the tour to professionalise not just the on-court action, but the entire competitive experience surrounding it.
Alpine Glory: Champions Crowned and Future Stars Born at RTA European Finals
St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria – The snow-capped peaks of the Alps provided a dramatic backdrop for the RTA European Finals 2025, where Europe’s elite players gathered for the Arlberg Pickleball Championship (APC). The event, described as a “full-week celebration,” combined high-stakes competition with community development, concluding the 2025 season on a high note.
In the professional divisions, Caroline Nothnagel asserted her dominance, taking gold in Women’s Singles, while Bakó Bálint captured the Men’s Singles title. The doubles categories saw fierce action, with Alma and Klara Thell-Lenntorp winning Women’s Doubles, and the duo of Ben Cawston and Théo Platel securing the Men’s Doubles championship. The Mixed Doubles gold went to Claudia Caymel and Pep Canyadell, capping off a tournament that rewarded those who had battled through the season to reach this prestigious stage.
Beyond the pro medals, the event was a landmark for grassroots growth. For five days leading up to the finals, Felix Grunert led clinics that sharpened the skills of players from across the continent. A special highlight was the dedicated school day, where 100 local children were introduced to the sport by Grunert and Bastian Grau, turning curiosity into instant fandom.
The tournament also debuted an international amateur team format, drawing squads from nations including the Czech Republic, USA, and Canada. The semi-finals and finals were streamed live, broadcasting the electric atmosphere to viewers across Europe. Organisers credited the success to the volunteers and the seamless execution by tournament directors Bastian and Martin Grau, proving that pickleball has found a permanent and thriving home in the mountains.
Fan Fury and a Historic Upset: Kawamoto Sisters’ Cincinnati Run Voted Match of the Year
Cincinnati, USA – In a season defined by intense rivalries, the pickleball world has spoken, voting the Kawamoto sisters’ electrifying semi-final performance at the PPA Tour Cincinnati Showcase as the “Best Match of the Year 2025.” The accolade honours Jackie and Jade Kawamoto’s stunning upset over the dominant top seeds, Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright, in front of a roaring hometown crowd.
The match, which took place in September 2025, marked a pivotal moment for the identical twins. Facing a daunting deficit in the deciding game of the semi-final, the sixth-seeded Kawamotos trailed 4-9 against the world’s best. In a display of steely composure, they rattled off seven consecutive points to seal the victory 7-11, 11-6, 11-9. The win shattered Waters and Bright’s momentum, handing the powerhouse duo only their second loss in 47 matches.
Analysts pointed to the sisters’ lefty-righty dynamic as the key to their success. By clogging the middle with their forehands, they successfully neutralized the aggressive speed-ups from Waters and Bright. Riding the wave of that historic upset, the Kawamotos proceeded to the finals, where they defeated Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson in a grueling five-game thriller (8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7) to capture their first PPA Tour gold medal together.
The victory was particularly sweet given the sisters’ limited schedule; balancing professional play with full-time roles at the NCAA, they had paired up sparingly throughout the year. Their triumph in Ohio not only secured gold but etched their names into PPA history with the season’s most memorable contest.
The People’s Champion: Voting Opens for Italy’s Best Pickleball Player 2025
Siena, Italy – The search for Italy’s premier pickleball talent has moved from the court to the community. Following a year of explosive growth for the sport in Italy, PickleballSpot has launched the “Italy Best Player 2025” award, a unique competition that blends statistical rankings with a public vote to crown the country’s top male and female players.
The selection process began with a rigorous objective ranking system. To qualify for the “Top 8,” players must have competed in the final stages of major FITP circuits, including the Road to Roma and the Team Championship. Their seeding was determined by a composite score combining their FITP classification and their average DUPR rating across singles and doubles.
Leading the men’s field is Alberto Seccia with a total score of 10.271, followed closely by Andrea Bosi. On the women’s side, Francesca Rumi claimed the top seed with a score of 10.273, edging out Paola Tampieri. However, the statistics only set the stage. As of December 30, the competition shifted to a knockout format decided entirely by fans via Instagram polls.
This interactive approach aims to highlight not just technical skill, but community engagement. “The pitch has spoken. Now it’s your turn,” the organisers announced, inviting fans to vote in anonymous head-to-head matchups from the quarterfinals through to the final,. The ultimate winners will receive exclusive commemorative gear, but more importantly, the title of Italy’s fan-chosen MVP for a breakout year in the sport.
Winter Warriors: Pickledilly Circus Cups Celebrate UK Talent
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom – The courts of Milton Keynes were alive with competitive spirit this month as the Pickledilly Circus Winter Cup 2025 concluded, celebrating a weekend of high-calibre pickleball across mixed and ladies’ doubles categories. The event drew praise for the excellent standard of play and the spirited atmosphere that defined the tournament.
In the Mixed Doubles Advanced (3.8+) category, the duo of Bhavika Gajipra and Bhanu Baweja showcased superior chemistry to take home the gold medal. They were followed by Tuesday Thompson and Tommy Power, who secured silver, while Ruby Kaur and Adiveer Baweja claimed bronze. The Intermediate division (3.8-) was equally hard-fought, with Anja Macleod and Paul Booth emerging as the gold medalists.
The Ladies’ Doubles events also delivered thrilling rallies. In the Advanced bracket, Helene Judge and Jennie Scott proved to be the team to beat, capturing gold. Ruby Kaur added a second medal to her weekend haul, taking silver alongside partner Julia Diana Oprea. In the Intermediate Ladies’ category, the top spot on the podium went to Kisicka and Maria Rita Secci.
Organisers expressed gratitude to all participants for making the Winter Cup a standout event, noting that the matches delivered “truly fantastic moments on court” and reinforced the growing depth of talent in the UK pickleball scene.
Legacy of a Warrior: Sypik Avatar Bids Farewell to Quang Duong
Hanoi, Vietnam – In an emotional tribute, Sypik Avatar has officially announced the conclusion of its partnership with pickleball athlete Quang Duong. The announcement marks the end of a significant chapter that saw the brand and the athlete work in unison to propel the sport of pickleball across Asia.
Sypik Avatar expressed profound pride in having been Quang Duong’s first destination upon his return to his homeland of Vietnam. The organisation described the relationship as evolving from a professional collaboration into a familial bond, characterised by shared beliefs and a “warrior spirit” that resonated through tournaments in the United States and Asia.
“Every journey has a stop,” the statement read, emphasizing that this separation is not an end, but a moment to recognise the value created together. Sypik credited Duong with leaving an indelible mark on the development of pickleball in Vietnam and the wider region.
The tribute highlighted the personal connection maintained even from afar, as the brand supported Duong through his competitive endeavors. Signing off with “Peace out,” Sypik Avatar wished the athlete continued success as he moves forward to conquer new heights, celebrating a legacy of shared trust and understanding.
Prague Calling: Registration Opens for WPC Czech Open
Prague, Czech Republic – The Czech Pickleball Association has announced that registration is now open for the WPC Prague Czech Open, set to take place at one of the country’s premier tennis facilities. The tournament promises to be a major stop on the European circuit, hosted at the expansive TK Sparta Praha complex.
Located near the scenic Stromovka Park and the Vltava River, the venue offers 16 hard courts, ensuring excellent ball bounce for competitors. The event will utilise Joola Primo balls and features a robust two-stage format: a group stage followed by a knockout round for the top two advancers from each pool.
Competition will span three days, with Mixed Doubles kicking off the action on Friday at 9:00 AM, followed by Singles on Saturday and Doubles on Sunday. Organizers have set the minimum prize purse for the Elite categories at €2,000, with entry fees ranging from €50 to €100 depending on the number of categories entered. Non-elite and Junior categories are also available at reduced rates.
With excellent facilities, including an on-site restaurant and gym, and easy access via public transport from the airport, Prague is gearing up to welcome players for a weekend of top-tier sport and hospitality.
Sun, Sea, and Serves: Türkiye to Host 2026 European Open
Antalya, Türkiye – The European Pickleball Federation has officially designated the sunny shores of Türkiye as the host destination for the European Open 2026. In a recent “Save the Date” announcement, the federation revealed that the prestigious event will take place at the Ali Bey Club in Manavgat.
Scheduled for November 2–8, 2026, the tournament is expected to draw federations, fans, and players from across the continent to what is described as one of Europe’s most beautiful pickleball destinations. Organisers are promising a mix of world-class competition and a holiday atmosphere, taking advantage of the venue’s reputation for high-quality courts and sunshine.
While full details are yet to be released, the announcement serves as a call to action for the European pickleball community to mark their calendars for a week that will combine elite sport with a resort experience.
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.