Good morning, pickleballers!
How are we halfway through the week again?
Today should be the launch of February’s World Pickleball Magazine which will also mark our one year anniversary!
As soon as I have got this morning’s pickleball news out of the door, I will be back on the final touches of the magazine and get it out to all you lovely people.
Here’s this morning’s world pickleball news.
Dilli Dillwale Secures Playoff Berth in World Pickleball League Thriller
New Delhi, India – The race for the World Pickleball League championship heated up on Day 8 as Dilli Dillwale punched their ticket to the playoffs with a gritty victory over Pune United.
In a tie that showcased the depth of the league’s talent, Dilli Dillwale defeated Pune United 3–2. The matchup saw standout performances, particularly from Player of the Tie, Vinh Hien Truong, who secured a vital Men’s Singles win against Pune’s Balint Bako with a score of 15–12. Dilli’s Mixed Doubles pair, Max Manthou and Trang Huynh, also delivered, edging out their opponents 8–6, while the Women’s Doubles team of Huynh and Mihae Kwon dominated with a 17–9 victory. Despite Pune salvaging wins in Women’s Singles and Men’s Doubles, the overall result moved Dilli Dillwale to the second qualifying spot (Q2) in the standings.
In the day’s other fixture, the Rajasthan Titans delivered a commanding 4–1 performance against Mumbai Pickle Power. The Titans were led by Lorena Duknic in singles and a strong mixed doubles showing by Amanda Hendry and Trinh Linh Giang. Although Mumbai’s Max Green managed a narrow 22–19 win in Men’s Singles, Rajasthan swept the remaining doubles categories to secure their first tie win of the season.
With the playoffs looming, Chennai Super Champs and Dilli Dillwale have officially qualified. The action continues on Wednesday with the Bengaluru Jawans facing the Rajasthan Titans, followed by a clash between the Chennai Super Champs and Hyderabad Super Stars.
Asia’s Phuc Huynh Powers Team Hardware to Victory at Australian Open Pickleball Slam
Melbourne, Australia – The courts of Melbourne witnessed a dramatic conclusion to the Australian Open Pickleball Slam as Team Hardware edged out the competition to claim the prestigious title and a share of the AUS $100,000 prize purse.
Held alongside tennis’s first Grand Slam of the season, the event returned for its second year, featuring 28 elite players divided across seven teams. The spotlight shone brightly on Vietnam’s Phuc Huynh, the World No. 4 and sole Asian representative in the tournament. Huynh proved pivotal for Team Hardware, playing alongside teammates Harrison Brown, Andie Dikosavljevic, and Nicola Schoeman.
The tournament structure involved a single round-robin group stage followed by a high-stakes final. Team Hardware and Team Hosier, the latter led by American player Ryler DeHeart, emerged as the top contenders after the group phase. Their rivalry intensified in the final, which ended in a deadlock after Team Hosier’s Sofia Sewing and Zach Grabovic defeated Dikosavljevic and Brown 20–13 in Game 8. Earlier in the tie, Huynh had kept his team in contention with a crucial 22–18 singles victory over veteran DeHeart and a doubles win with Brown to give Hardware a temporary 4–2 lead.
In a nail-biting finish that came down to the wire, Team Hardware held their nerve to edge past Team Hosier 19–18 in the deciding moments, securing the championship. This victory marks a significant milestone for Huynh, following his recent captaincy of the Bengaluru Blasters in the Indian Pickleball League. Other notable squads included Team Degraves and Team Duckboard, featuring international talent from the USA and New Zealand, solidifying the Slam’s status as a premier global event.
Northern Rivers Ready for Action as Australian Masters Cup Returns to Goonellabah
Goonellabah, Australia – The competitive spirit of veteran athletes is set to ignite the Northern Rivers region this month as the Australian Pickleball Masters Cup makes its highly anticipated return.
Local organisers and players are in the final stages of preparation for the major event, which will be hosted at the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre. The tournament is structured as a gruelling ten-week showdown, designed to test the endurance and skill of the participants.
The stakes are high for the hopefuls entering the courts, as they will be battling not just for the immediate glory of match wins, but for coveted spots in the regional finals. The event underscores the growing popularity of pickleball in regional Australia, drawing attention to the Northern Rivers sports community. As players wax their paddles and finalise strategies, the local community anticipates a season of fierce competition and community engagement centered around one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
Delhi High Court Validates Centre’s Recognition of Indian Pickleball Association
New Delhi, India – The Delhi High Court has officially upheld the Union Sports Ministry’s decision to recognise the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) as the national federation for the sport, dismissing a challenge from a rival body.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Sachin Datta, the court dismissed a petition filed by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), which had argued that the recognition violated the National Sports Development Code. The AIPA contended that the ministry granted status to the IPA, a relatively new organisation, while overlooking the AIPA’s existence since 2008.
However, the court ruled that the government’s decision was neither arbitrary nor unreasonable. The judgment highlighted that the Sports Code is non-statutory and allows for flexibility, particularly for “nascent” and emerging sports like pickleball. The court noted that it would be “incongruous” to apply rigid legacy standards—such as the requirement for a three-year prior existence—to a developing sport that requires government support to grow.
The IPA, which received recognition in April 2025, is now eligible for financial grants and holds the mandate to regulate and promote pickleball nationally. The court emphasized that while core governance provisions regarding elections and transparency remain mandatory, exemptions tailored to the developmental stage of a sport are permissible. This ruling clears the path for the IPA to continue its efforts in structuring the sport across India without further legal impediments regarding its status.
Johns and Waters Defend Crowns as Fans Vote in 2025 Dink Awards
Austin, USA – The results are in for the 2025 Dink Awards, where over 10,000 fans cast their ballots to honour the year’s standout performers in professional pickleball.
To no one’s surprise, the sport’s titans maintained their stranglehold on the top honours. Ben Johns was named Men’s Player of the Year, securing the award for another consecutive year after a season that saw him win a staggering 26 gold medals. On the women’s side, Anna Leigh Waters continued her dominance, claiming Women’s Player of the Year. Waters was unstoppable in 2025, amassing 39 gold medals and achieving eight triple crowns on the PPA Tour.
The awards also highlighted the sport’s rising stars. Chris Haworth took home Men’s Breakout Player of the Year, rocketing from zero points in August to a No. 4 singles ranking by year’s end. Alix Truong was named Women’s Breakout Player of the Year following a stellar season that included four gold medals on the PPA Asia Tour.
In the “Upset of the Year” category, the Kawamoto sisters, Jade and Jackie, were recognized for their stunning victory over the powerhouse duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright at the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase. Meanwhile, the fan-favourite distinction went to the Dallas Flash in Major League Pickleball, while Anna Bright swept the personality awards, winning both Fan Favorite Pro and Best On-Court Personality for her fiery competitive spirit.
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris 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…
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