PPA Lakeland Crowns Waters Again as IPBL Draft Launches New Era

Good morning, pickleballers!

Welcome to your new week.

Loads happened over the weekend, including the conclusion of PPA Lakeland and the IPBL draft.

We cover all that and more in the latest pickleball news below.

Waters Secures Fourth Straight Triple Crown as Johns/Tardio Reclaim Gold in PPA Lakeland Thriller

Lakeland, USA – The Veolia Lakeland Open, presented by Six Zero, delivered a stunning weekend of professional pickleball, culminating in Anna Leigh Waters achieving her fourth straight Triple Crown and men’s doubles top seeds Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio returning to the top of the podium.

Waters dominated the Women’s Singles final, cruising past No. 8 seed Chao Yi (Zoey) Wang with scores of 11-3, 11-1 to secure her 39th career Triple Crown. Waters reflected that achieving four consecutive Triple Crowns since 2023-2024 proves she is still improving, despite the ever-deepening competition fields. Wang had reached the final after a remarkable comeback in the semifinal, battling back from a 0-7 deficit in the first game against No. 5 seed Lea Jansen to win 12-10, 11-2.

In Women’s Doubles, Waters, paired with Anna Bright, avenged an earlier loss, sweeping the Kawamoto sisters, Jackie and Jade, 11-8, 11-4, 11-3. Waters credited the previous loss in Cincinnati for pushing their partnership to train harder. The Kawamotos had fought through a back-and-forth quarterfinal to defeat Jorja Johnson/Rachel Rohrabacher in three games (12-10, 7-11, 11-6).

Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio reclaimed their dominant form in Men’s Doubles, defeating No. 2 seeds Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 for their ninth title of the year. This victory marked a return to winning ways after their streak of six consecutive titles was broken at Worlds earlier this month. Johns, who plans to take a seven-week break and return at the PPA Masters in January 2026, called his new partnership with Tardio “phenomenal”. Alshon/Daescu secured their spot in the final with a dramatic comeback over JW Johnson/CJ Klinger, rallying from an 8-0 deficit in Game 2 and scoring seventeen consecutive points across two games to win 4-11, 11-8, 11-9.

The mixed doubles final saw Waters/Johns secure their ninth straight title together in a five-game epic against Jorja/JW Johnson, winning 10-12, 11-4, 11-2, 8-11, 11-7. Waters highlighted the necessary strategic shift to “grind and dink forever” in the final game.

Finally, the Men’s Singles crown went to No. 11 seed Roscoe Bellamy, who claimed his first PPA Tour gold medal after defeating No. 2 seed Hunter Johnson 11-9, 5-11, 11-3. Bellamy’s victory was secured on match point via a technical point penalty against Johnson after a controversial net cord ruling and subsequent unsuccessful appeal to the head referee. Bellamy acknowledged the irony and importance of the support he receives from the Johnson family.

Indian Pickleball League Launches with Star-Studded Draft; Owners Vow to Rival Cricket’s Status

New Delhi, India – The inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) successfully concluded its Players’ Draft, setting the stage for a week of high-voltage competition starting December 1–7, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The IPBL, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), is positioned as India’s official and only national pickleball league.

The draft saw 53 athletes go under the hammer, with 36 top names selected across Super Stars Pro International, Super Stars Pro Indian, and Rising Stars categories. The six franchises—Mumbai Smashers, Hyderabad Royals, Chennai Super Warriors, Capital Warriors Gurgaon, Bengaluru Blasters, and Lucknow Leopards—each built a six-player roster.

Mumbai Smashers secured the draft’s biggest international names, landing World No. 3 Quang Duong of Vietnam as their first pick, followed by Allison Harris (USA). Lucknow Leopards made a statement by drafting India’s top male superstar, Aditya Ruhela, and American former tennis pro Ryler Deheart.

Hyderabad Royals acquired top female international player Megan Fudge and American star Ben Newell, aiming for a squad that blends “Nizami flair with competitive hunger”. Bengaluru Blasters drafted Phuc Huynh and Pei Chuan Kao, with their CEO describing the strategy as “moneyball”—maximising victory per rupee spent. The team also secured Indian talents like Arjun Singh and Rakshikha Ravi.

Other teams expressed strong confidence: Capital Warriors Gurgaon owner Robin Mangla asserted his “star-studded lineup” will reach the finals, while the Lucknow Leopards declared themselves “top contenders for the trophy”.

The league launch also featured a major announcement regarding its lifestyle appeal, naming five beauty pageant winners—including Femina Miss India World 2024 Nikita Porwal—as official team ambassadors to champion the sport.

Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, expressed overwhelming excitement, noting that with over 5 million global players and an expected one million in India by 2028, he believes they will make pickleball the “biggest sport after cricket”.

Carmel, California, Votes to Implement Permanent Pickleball Ban Due to Noise Crisis

Carmel, USA – The scenic California beach town of Carmel is moving toward a permanent ban on pickleball at its only public courts in Forest Hill Park, following years of unresolved noise complaints from local neighbors. The city council recently voted unanimously to have the city attorney draft the ban, which will be voted upon at a later date, replacing the temporary ban enacted in October.

Carmel Mayor Dale Byrne explained that the town government had spent two years attempting to find a workable solution to the noise issues. These efforts included limiting hours of play and providing players with quieter paddles. However, consistent enforcement proved “impossible,” forcing the city council to address the issue that continued to consume significant staff time.

Mayor Byrne acknowledged the widely recognised health benefits and joy the sport provides, but stressed that those benefits must be weighed against the “peace and quiet of the surrounding neighbourhood,” which remains a core priority for the village.

Carmel Police Chief Todd Trayer stated that while he is not aware of any violations of the temporary ban thus far, those found using the banned courts once the permanent ordinance is in place will first receive a warning and education regarding the new rule.

This move highlights the growing tension between the rapid expansion of pickleball and existing communities sensitive to the sport’s distinctive sound signature.

RTA Announces Strict Ranking Requirements for Entry into Elite RTA1000 Tournaments

Zurich, Switzerland – The RTA Pickleball Tour has outlined its strict and transparent entry order for players seeking participation in RTA1000 tournaments, emphasising the competitive nature of these high-level events. Due to the fact that RTA1000 events are contested on only five courts, the number of entry spots and seeded positions is severely limited.

The primary metric for acceptance into an RTA1000 draw is a player’s RTA 52-Week Points. Players and teams who possess higher 52-week points in their respective divisions will receive priority acceptance.

For competitors or teams who currently have few or no RTA 52-Week Points, the recommended strategy to earn points and improve entry priority is to participate in RTA500 tournaments. These lower-tier events offer players the chance to build the necessary ranking to move up the RTA1000 entry list.

In addition to the ranking pathway, the RTA has established an alternative route to the main draw: each RTA1000 event includes an Amateur Tournament where players can compete for a Wildcard spot. The winner of this amateur competition receives one guaranteed Wildcard spot for the RTA1000 tournament held at the same location. Players seeking full details on seeding rules, entry order, and tie-break procedures must consult the RTA Competition Regulations.

Los Angeles Lakers Host Highly Competitive, Trash-Talking Pickleball Tournament During Rare Four-Day Break

Los Angeles, USA – Taking advantage of a rare four-day break in their demanding 82-game regular season schedule, the Los Angeles Lakers organised a team-wide pickleball tournament to promote cross-training and keep competitive spirits high. The unexpected competitive action led to intense matches and significant trash-talking among players and coaches.

Lakers Coach JJ Redick noted the tournament was “unsurprisingly, very competitive” and pointed out what he felt were unfair pairings, specifically mentioning the combination of Luka Doncic and assistant coach Ty Abbott. Redick, who made it to the semifinals, humorously lamented that his back was “hurt from carrying” his team. He also referenced a specific, unnamed teammate who “decided to eat through the majority of the tournament” instead of focusing on the game.

The champions of the tournament were forward Jake LaRavia and assistant coach Beau Levesque, who “stamped their class by winning it all”. Even basketball superstar LeBron James participated in the competition, reportedly using customised paddles.

Despite the rivalry, Coach Redick views these activities as a beneficial opportunity to build camaraderie and chemistry among the entire Lakers organization. Guard Gabe Vincent summarised the value, stating that any time the team can gather, whether for an activity or conversation, it is “beneficial,” especially for building chemistry off the court.

Asian Pickleball Exchange Fosters Unity; Hong Kong Event Culminates in Landmark Cooperation Agreement

Hong Kong, China – The Pickleball Association of Hong Kong successfully hosted a three-day Asian Pickleball Exchange from November 21 to 23, 2025, bringing together delegates from Singapore Pickleball, the Pickleball Northern Region League, the Greater Bay Area Pickleball Alliance, and the Pickleball Sports General Association of Macau China.

The exchange focused on cultural immersion, friendly interactions, and competitive pickleball action, including Team and Individual Challenges held at the Chai Wan Sports Centre on November 22 and 23, respectively.

A significant highlight of the three-day event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the partners from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The purpose of this MOU is to strengthen cooperation, deepen collaboration, and enhance event exchanges among the regions. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to build a more united Asian pickleball community.

The event successfully showcased the growing strength and unity of the Asian pickleball community, as players from various nations played together and mingled. The exchange served as a crucial step in formalising cross-regional support, symbolising a tightly-knit community dedicated to the sport’s development.

World No. 1 Staksrud and Triple Crown Winner Garnett Headline Star-Studded Draw at Hangzhou Open

Hangzhou, China – The PPA Tour Asia is preparing for a blockbuster curtain closer with the release of the pro player lists and seedings for the Hangzhou Open, scheduled for December 3–6, 2025. The event, which is the final stop of the PPA Tour Asia in 2025, features a loaded lineup guaranteeing must-watch pickleball action.

Federico Staksrud, fresh off his trophy win at the 2025 Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships, rolls into Hangzhou as the No. 1 ranked singles player on the PPA Tour. Staksrud aims for gold in three events, partnering with Alix Truong in Mixed Doubles and Armaan Bhatia in Men’s Doubles.

The tour’s maiden triple crown winner, Connor Garnett, is also back in Asia, looking to go six-for-six on the continent after going undefeated at the Sansan Fukuoka Open. Garnett will compete in Mixed Doubles with UPA Asia Trailblazer Ting Chieh Wei and Men’s Doubles with Blaine Hovenier.

Adding to the excitement is Yufei Long, China’s top-ranked Women’s Singles star, who will enjoy a hometown crowd advantage as she competes across all three events.

The Women’s Doubles draw is particularly terrifying for opponents, as gold medal partnership Chao Yi Wang and Alix Truong are teaming up. Truong recently won the MB Vietnam Open title, while Wang went back-to-back between the Vietnam and Malaysia Cups, instantly making them heavy favourites. The Men’s Singles field is also deep, featuring talents like Phuc Huynh, Hong Kit Wong, and Blaine Hovenier.

Team Cakenis, Led by World No. 3 Quang Duong, Triumphs in Thrilling Cakenis Cup Malaysia Team Event

Selangor, Malaysia – The Cakenis Cup Pickleball Malaysia 2025 concluded over the weekend with Team Cakenis claiming the prestigious Team Event title and a RM20,000 prize. The tournament, held at the Tomaz Pickleball Club, featured electrifying matches and a prize pool of RM100,000 across multiple categories.

Team Cakenis, headlined by Asia’s top player and World No. 3 Quang Duong, went undefeated throughout the group stage. The team also featured Malaysia’s No. 1 men’s player, Jimmy Liong, and Vietnam’s Ken Tam, both pioneers of the UPA Asia Trailblazers Programme.

After fending off Bintang Pro Picklers in the semifinals—a team bannered by India’s Vanshik Kapadia and Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-Chieh—Team Cakenis faced 002 in the final. Team 002, which included Jack Wong Hong-kit (PPA Tour Asia Men’s Singles No. 1) and Eunggwon Kim (PPA Tour Asia Men’s Doubles No. 1 partner to Hong-kit), provided an “inspired effort”.

The Finals came down to the wire, reaching a dream breaker at 29-29. Under intense pressure, Syed Uzair Sufi delivered the game-winner for Team Cakenis, solidifying their victory. The event highlighted rising regional stars, with Liong and Tam widely regarded among them. Gold medal winners in other categories (Open, Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice) received between RM3,000 and RM7,000.

World Pickleball Championship Series Returns to India with ₹15 Lakh Prize Pool in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, India – The World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Series India 2025 powered by Skechers, is set to kick off tomorrow, November 25, 2025, at the Top Spin Tennis Academy, marking the much-anticipated return of the 2nd Edition. Following the tremendous success of the inaugural Mumbai event, Bengaluru is ready for four days of high-energy pickleball action.

The championship is organised in collaboration with the Karnataka State Pickleball Association (KSPA) and the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), continuing its mission to build a professionally structured and rapidly expanding pickleball ecosystem in India.

The 2025 edition will feature a comprehensive structure with an inclusive range of categories across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Age groups span from Under 14 and Under 18 to 19+, 35+, 50+, and 60+.

One of the major draws of the event is the attractive ₹15,00,000 prize pool, positioning the WPC Series India among the highest-rewarding pickleball competitions in the nation. Top Indian athletes expected to compete include Vrushali Thakre, Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma, Vanshik Kapadia, and Anjali Pol.

Arvind Prabhoo, President of AIPA and Global Director of WPC, stated the event is more than a tournament; it’s a celebration of the sport’s spirit and India’s rising prominence in global pickleball. Jan Papi, Founder of WPC, added that this edition will further elevate India’s presence on the world map. Rajath Kankar, State Secretary of KSPA, expressed pride in Bengaluru hosting the event, calling the city a “frontrunner in promoting emerging sports”.

CNPL 2026 Draft Registration Opens: Opportunity Knocks for Aspiring Professional Pickleballers

Toronto, Canada – The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) has officially opened registration for its highly anticipated 2026 CNPL Draft, with Draft Day scheduled for January 27, 2026. Aspiring players have a window from November 15, 2025, through January 19, 2026, to enter the player pool. Early registration is highly encouraged, as it provides a “HUGE advantage” by allowing teams to review player film and match results sooner.

The 2026 season marks the league’s fourth year and will feature eight teams: Prairie Pronghorns, Detroit-Windsor Drive, Vancouver Owls, London Smash, Southwestern Ontario Brewers, Northern Lights, Toronto United, and Montreal Lions. The league operates with a structured salary scale based on the draft round, and every drafted player receives travel support for the seven-event regular season running from May through August.

Teams will fill 27 of 48 total roster spots over four draft rounds, as many clubs have already secured their core players through re-signings. For instance, Vancouver Owls retained Anna Dyachenko and Armaan Jiwa Mawji, while Toronto United locked in Matt Kawamoto, Max Wild, and Jada Bui. Teams with fewer retained players, like the Owls, Northern Lights, and Pronghorns, hold earlier and more draft picks (four each).

To be eligible for the 2026 Draft, players must meet specific criteria, such as having been a previous CNPL roster player, holding a contract in a recognised league (like MLP or NPL), or competing in an official Dink Minor League Canada qualifier event at the DUPR 20 or 22 level in 2025. International players seeking entry must ensure their visa status was established before September 1, 2025, and teams are limited to carrying one international player.