Lane’s Heroics Not Enough as Bengaluru Jawans Edge Out Mumbai in World Pickleball League Thriller
Mumbai, India – In a contest defined by grit and electrifying rallies, the Bengaluru Jawans narrowly defeated Mumbai Pickle Power 3-2 in a World Pickleball League (WPBL) fixture at the Jio World Garden. Despite the loss, the narrative of the evening belonged to Mumbai’s Brandon Lane, whose individual brilliance kept the home team in contention until the very end.
Lane, adapting to a doubles-centric role this season, was the undeniable engine of the Mumbai squad. He began his campaign in the mixed doubles, partnering with Glauka Carvajal Lane to dismantle the Bengaluru pairing of Eunggwon Kim and Molly O’Donoghue. The duo delighted the home crowd with a mix of tenacious defence and powerful smashes, cruising to a dominant 16-7 victory that levelled the overall match score at 1-1.
Later in the evening, with his team trailing after setbacks in men’s singles and women’s doubles, Lane returned to the court for the men’s doubles tie. Partnering with Santhosh Narayanan, Lane produced a “breezy” masterclass, overpowering Kim and Mauro Garcia 17-8. While these two victories highlighted Lane’s immense value to the franchise, the Jawans’ depth ultimately proved superior, securing them the overall fixture. Both teams now look toward a quick turnaround, with Mumbai set to face the Hyderabad Superstars and Bengaluru matching up against the Chennai Super Champs on February 2.
Chicago Slice Shakes Up Roster with Navratil and Johnson Acquisitions in Aggressive Trade Window
Chicago, USA – The Major League Pickleball (MLP) trade market exploded into action this week as the Chicago Slice emerged as the undisputed aggressor during the opening days of the 2026 season’s first trade window. In a series of high-profile moves aimed at revitalising a roster that struggled in the previous season, the Slice acquired fan-favourite Zane Navratil from the New Jersey 5s and Hunter Johnson from the Los Angeles Mad Drops.
The acquisition of Navratil, a deal involving a cash exchange to New Jersey, brings a palpable energy to the Chicago squad. Analysts suggest this move is a strategic masterstroke; Navratil is considered a reliable number two option who brings essential intensity to the MLP format. Furthermore, the trade aligns with corporate synergies, as Navratil is sponsored by the Paddletek Group, which shares backing with the Slice’s ownership, Thirty-5 Capital. For New Jersey, parting with their captain of two seasons signals a shift toward a new tactical direction, potentially clearing cap space to acquire a male singles specialist to complement their doubles core.
Chicago didn’t stop there. In a separate transaction, the team sent Max Freeman to Los Angeles in exchange for Hunter Johnson and cash. This move addresses a critical weakness for the Slice, who suffered a dismal 3-9 DreamBreaker record in 2025. By bringing in Johnson, the PPA Tour’s top-ranked men’s singles player, Chicago aims to shore up their singles prowess significantly. Conversely, the Los Angeles Mad Drops secure a left-handed partner in Freeman to pair with Ben Johns, a configuration that has historically yielded championships for Johns. As the trade deadline of February 15 approaches, the league watches to see if Chicago’s bold reconfiguration will translate into immediate success.
Waters and Bright Cement Status as North America’s Queen and “Wingwoman” with Top DUPR Rankings
New York, USA – The dominance of Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright has been statistically ratified this week, as the pair claimed the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively, in the updated Women’s Doubles North America DUPR rankings. Following a blistering start to the 2026 season, which saw the duo capture major titles at both the PPA Carvana Masters and the PPA Pickleball Indoor National Championships, their stranglehold on the division appears unbreakable.
Waters, who retained the top spot with a staggering 6.850 rating, continues to rewrite the history books. Beyond her doubles success, she currently leads the women’s singles rankings and recently celebrated a milestone 40th career triple crown. Bright, holding firm at No. 2 with a 6.447 rating, attributes their on-court magic to undeniable chemistry, describing herself as Waters’ “wingwoman” in a partnership that has now produced 16 women’s doubles titles.
The rankings update also highlighted the fierce competition chasing the leading duo. Jorja Johnson secured the third spot, while Tyra Black climbed to fourth following a mixed doubles title run at the Indoor Nationals. The Kawamoto sisters, Jade and Jackie, rounded out the top six, remaining perennial contenders after a runner-up finish to Waters and Bright at the Masters. As the season progresses, the gap between the Waters-Bright coalition and the rest of the field remains the defining narrative of North American women’s pickleball.
Vietnamese-American Star Quang Duong Tops Asian Rankings as Indian Talent Surges
Mumbai, India – The rapid growth of elite pickleball across Asia has a new standard-bearer. Quang Duong, a dynamic Vietnamese-American player, has claimed the No. 1 spot in the Asian Men’s Doubles DUPR rankings with a rating of 6.427. Currently a free agent, Duong has become instrumental in elevating the sport’s profile in the region, known for his ability to dictate the tempo of rallies and execute with precision under pressure.
The latest rankings release underscores the rising influence of Vietnamese pickleball, with Duong’s compatriot Jonathan Truong taking the second spot. However, the list also highlights the surging strength of Indian competitors on the international stage. Armaan Bhatia has secured the third position with a 6.152 rating following a breakout 2025 season that included multiple APP titles and a PPA Tour contract. Bhatia’s consistency has solidified his reputation as one of the continent’s most reliable doubles players.
Further down the top ten, the competitive landscape appears remarkably tight. India’s Harsh Mehta, who partnered with Bhatia to win the PWR DUPR India Masters, sits at number seven. The cluster of ratings between the fourth and tenth spots—featuring players like Vietnam’s Quan Do and Japan’s Yuta Funemizu—suggests that while Duong currently sits atop the mountain, the battle for supremacy in Asian men’s doubles remains wide open and fiercely contested.