Good morning, pickleballers – here’s the latest pickleball news from the last 24 hours!
Welsh Phenom Matthew Hazlehurst Joins Team Wales for European Championships
Newport, Wales – Matthew Hazlehurst is capping off an extraordinary first year in competitive pickleball by joining Team Wales for the 2025 European Pickleball Championships in Rome. Expressing excitement about both representing his country and finally visiting Rome, Hazlehurst views the championship as a crucial test of his skills and a benchmark for future tournaments, as he holds no specific expectations for himself in his debut year against Europe’s elite.
Hazlehurst’s rapid ascent began after joining a Newport Live program in March 2023, designed to re-engage young men through sports. He was instantly hooked by pickleball, quickly joining his local club in Cwmbran. Just over a year later, he attended the Welsh team trials in Telford, where he showcased his impressive progress on purpose-built pickleball courts, a facility he hopes will soon be replicated in South Wales. Familiar with many squad members from regional events, he also had the opportunity to meet new players from England.
Adding to his remarkable year, Hazlehurst has also launched his own pickleball coaching business in South Wales, a venture he describes as a significant motivation booster. Having completed a Level 1 coaching course with British pickleball stalwarts Sam Basford and Rob Williams, he applies new tips and tricks in his sessions at Torfaen Pickleball Club in Cwmbran. Hazlehurst finds immense joy in coaching, aspiring to one day cheer on his students as they achieve their first medals.
Kolkata Set for Historic Arena One Open Pickleball Tournament with Record Prize Pool
Kolkata, India – Pickleball is set to make a significant stride in eastern India as Kolkata prepares to host its first-ever PWR 200 pickleball tournament, the Arena One Open PWR 200. Scheduled from September 12 to 14, 2025, at the Ballygunge Arena, the event promises high-stakes competition with a massive prize pool exceeding ₹3.5 lakh. Organised by Ballygunge Arena leaders Tyron Smith, Arjun Ghose, and Anant Tantia, this tournament signifies a new era for the sport in the city.
The competition will unfold across six courts at the Ballygunge Arena, featuring a comprehensive range of categories to accommodate players of all ages and skill levels. Divisions include Open Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles, as well as Intermediate, 35+, 50+, and U-18 categories. This broad lineup is designed to ensure diverse opportunities for participants.
The Arena One Open PWR 200 is expected to attract both local and national talent, aiming to significantly boost pickleball’s popularity in Kolkata and inspire more players to join the rapidly growing sport. Organisers are promoting the event with the call to “Compete, conquer, and claim glory,” anticipating intense action and a strong showcase of talent. This debut tournament is poised to set the stage for more major pickleball events in the region, cementing Kolkata’s place on the national pickleball map.
From Wickets to Pickles: Gowtham Ramesh Claims Grand Prix Title
Bangalore, India – Gowtham Ramesh, a former aspiring cricketer who once put his sporting dreams aside for academics, has found new glory on the pickleball court, clinching the Men’s Doubles title at the Pickleball Now Grand Prix in Bangalore. Partnering with Ranjit Kupli, they triumphed over Avilay Jha and Aditya Padival. Ramesh’s journey highlights a renewed passion for sports, ignited by the fast-growing game of pickleball.
Ramesh first encountered pickleball five years ago when Karnataka Secretary Rajat Kankar introduced the sport at his college. Initially a casual activity, he became serious after witnessing the high level of competition at the Indian Open in Rajasthan, feeling he could still become a professional player. He believes pickleball has the potential to become the “next big thing” after cricket in India and worldwide, noting its unique appeal to players aged 8 to 80. Tournaments like the Grand Prix, with their professional ambience, inspire both seasoned players and newcomers, pushing the sport towards a larger stage, with Ramesh hoping for Olympic inclusion one day.
Ramesh credits the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) for providing structure and opportunities for growth, including the Nationals in Bangalore. He emphasises that in doubles, success hinges on friendship, support, coordination, and communication, attributes he shares with partner Ranjit Kupli. His personal mantra, “Never give up till the end,” fuels his resilience in matches. As the official governing body in India, affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), the IPA, alongside the Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) system, is systematically developing the sport and identifying top talent for team selections.
Former Tulsa Soccer Star Tom Protzek Ascends in Professional Pickleball
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA – Former University of Tulsa soccer player Tom Protzek has successfully transitioned from the soccer pitch to the pickleball court, joining the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour in May 2025. Now training full-time in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the German athlete is rapidly making a name for himself with ambitions to become one of the sport’s top players globally.
Protzek, who played Division 1 soccer for the University of Tulsa from 2021 to 2023, discovered pickleball serendipitously in New Mexico during a professional soccer tryout. After consistently winning games against experienced players, he realised his natural talent, prompting him to seriously consider competitive pickleball. His first PPA tournament in November 2024 saw him reach the Round of 16, where he remarkably pushed the world’s top-ranked player to three games, confirming his potential.
Despite facing top-seeded players early in PPA tournaments, Protzek sees these challenges as valuable tests, confident in his ability to overcome them. Although Tulsa lacks a large professional pickleball community, he has embraced the city, which he affectionately champions on tour. To hone his skills, Protzek often travels for practice or trains intensively with Wade Bryant from Oklahoma City, who dedicates time twice a week to drive 1.5 hours for their sessions. His primary goal is to secure a professional athlete visa to continue competing at the highest level in the United States, ultimately aiming to break into the world’s Top 10. Protzek’s determined journey exemplifies pickleball’s growing appeal to athletes from diverse backgrounds.
Louis Laville Living His Dream Ahead of European Pickleball Championships
Sydney, Australia – Louis Laville is truly “living the pickleball dream” down under, recently being drafted to the Bondi Pickleball Club in Major League Pickleball alongside teammates Roos van Reek, Max Manthou, and Kat Westbury. Describing his experience in Australia as “absolutely amazing,” Laville’s international journey has also taken him to New Zealand and Vietnam, where he secured a bronze medal in men’s doubles with partner Ben Cawston.
His return to Europe proved equally successful, as he clinched two gold medals – one in men’s doubles with Ben Cawston and another in mixed doubles with Katie Morris. These triumphs set a strong precedent for the upcoming European Pickleball Championships in Rome later this month. Laville is confident in Team England’s strength, believing they have assembled the “strongest eight players” for the 18+ team, in addition to a robust 50+ squad.
However, he acknowledges the fierce competition from other European nations, highlighting formidable players like Roos van Reek for Holland, Domenika Turkovic for Croatia, Bako Balint from Hungary, and strong Spanish teams. As defending champions, Team England faces the pressure to retain their title, yet Laville emphasises the team’s focus on playing their best, enjoying the experience, and recognising the honour of representing their country.