Good morning pickleballers!
It's Friday already and what a week it has been.
The launch of the World Pickleball Magazine has been a relative success and after five days of it being online we've reached 50% of the target I scribbled on a piece of paper for the first issue - so thank you.
And, continuing the theme of successful launches - the first four days of our new Pure Pickleball venue in Cheshire (that's in the UK for those of you reading this from elsewhere) have been incredible.
We are so grateful to everyone who has booked a court or on a coaching session so far - and last night was the best night yet with two courts full of amazing action.
Today, I will be driving down south to Weymouth to prepare for the first leg of the Franklin Tour run by pickleb.co.uk.
I'll be playing the men's 18+ 4.0 doubles with Jacob Holloway on Saturday and then the mixed 18+ 4.0 doubles with World Pickleball Magazine contributor Tara Creasey on Sunday. When I am not on court I will be behind the mic as we are live streaming from the main showcourt!
So, what do we have for you today?
Joe James has gone deeper into yesterday's MLP news that The Kitchen have bought the Frisco Pandas and are moving them to Nashville. Read his thoughts here.
And here's your PKLBulletin!
Kaitlyn Christian's Hot Streak Continues: Aims for Second Title After Fourth Straight Final
TUCSON, AZ – Kaitlyn Christian is on a roll, securing her spot in yet another final after a hard-fought victory against Kate Fahey at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club. The score was 11-7, 1-11, 11-5. This marks Christian's fourth consecutive women’s singles final on the PPA Tour.
Christian's impressive run includes two gold medals and a silver medal. Christian credits her recent success to intentionally diversifying her gameplay. Instead of just focusing on rushing the net, she says she has been developing her backcourt game and serve.
What makes her current performance even more remarkable is that just days prior, Christian was competing in (and winning) the women’s singles title at the Proton Australia Pickleball Open.
“My goal today was honestly just to stay awake,” she joked.
In the final, Christian is set to face Parris Todd. Todd herself is aiming for her second career PPA singles title. The question remains: can anyone stop Kaitlyn Christian?
From Injury Setback to Center Stage: Christian Alshon Dominates Way to First Final Since 2023
TUCSON, AZ – After a long hiatus due to injuries, Christian Alshon has made a triumphant return to the pickleball scene, securing his place in the men’s singles final. He achieved this feat with a dominant 11-1, 11-3 victory over Jack Sock. The match lasted a mere 21 minutes.
Alshon's path to the final was marked by consistent dominance. He didn't allow more than three points against him in any of the eight games he played across four matches. He noted that he got a "little lucky" when top seed Federico Staksrud was knocked out early, which would have been his quarterfinal matchup.
The 24-year-old Alshon spent seven months away from the singles court due to injuries. He has come back strong in 2025, with a quarterfinal run at the PPA Masters and now a finals appearance in Tucson. Alshon expressed how much he missed singles because it allowed him to showcase his athleticism and change the perception that pickleball is not an athletic sport.
Alshon will now compete against Hunter Johnson for his first career PPA singles title.
Hunter Johnson Powers into Final, Doubles Down with Super Bowl Commercial
TUCSON, AZ – Hunter Johnson is heading to the men’s singles final after an impressive 11-8, 11-6 victory over Dylan Frazier. Johnson secured his spot in his first final of the 2025 season with an eight-point run to end the contest.
“It was a little bit windy today, so I just had to focus on hitting through the ball,” Johnson said. He noted that Frazier is a tough competitor, so he had to focus on keeping his shots low and avoid overplaying.
But that's not all, Johnson is also set to appear in a Michelob ULTRA commercial during the Super Bowl. He will be joined by fellow pickleball players Parris Todd, Jaume Martinez Vich, and Emily Cederquist.
Johnson sees this as a special opportunity to showcase pickleball on a big stage.
Before his Super Bowl debut, Johnson will face Christian Alshon for the gold. Alshon is also seeking his first PPA singles title.
Parris Todd Triumphs in Thrilling Comeback Clash, Eyes First Title Since 2022
TUCSON, AZ – Parris Todd secured a spot in the final after a rollercoaster match against Brooke Buckner, winning with a score of 11-2, 12-14, 11-9. Todd started strong, capitalizing on Buckner's errors to comfortably win the first game and gain a match point at 10-5 in the second.
However, Buckner mounted a comeback, saving four match points to win the second game. Buckner then took a 5-2 lead in the third game. Todd regained her composure, going on an eight-point run to reach a 10-5 lead. Todd eventually closed out the match.
Todd described the match as a test of her mental strength. She said that she had to continue to play her game and not focus on the match points that she lost.
Todd is now on the verge of securing her second career PPA singles title, which would be her first since the 2022 Orange County Cup. To achieve this, she will have to defeat Kaitlyn Christian. Christian is also on a hot streak, having made her fourth consecutive women’s singles final on the PPA Tour.
From Down Under to UPA Star: Tom Evans Stuns Top Seed in Dream Debut
Pickleball sensation Tom Evans has made a splash on the PPA Tour, achieving a remarkable victory just ten days after signing a UPA contract. The Australian player defeated the top-ranked men’s singles player, marking a significant upset.
Evans' quick rise to prominence is capturing attention. The victory against the top-ranked player demonstrates Evans' potential and signals a promising career ahead. Details about the match, including the score and opponent, are not available in the provided sources.
This win underscores the increasing globalization of pickleball, with international talents like Evans quickly making their mark on the sport. Evans' achievement adds to a series of surprising results and highlights the growing competitiveness within the PPA Tour.
Pickleball Fever in Wales: Inaugural Welsh Nationals Nears Capacity
BANGOR, WALES – Excitement is building as the inaugural Welsh Nationals approaches its debut at Bangor University from April 11-13. With entry figures nudging 150, the event promises to be a significant milestone for pickleball in Wales.
Organized by Pickleball Wales, the Welsh Nationals is the first in a series of exciting pickleball events planned for Wales this year, including the Festival in August and the Welsh Open in the autumn.
The tournament will feature a range of categories to accommodate various skill levels and age groups:
- Men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles (3.0-, 3.5 and 4.0+; 18+, 40+ & 60+)
- Men’s and women’s singles (3.5- and 4.0+; 18+)
- A wheelchair event
Participation in the Welsh Nationals is limited to players who were either born in Wales or have resided in Wales for at least 12 months. Participants are also restricted to competing in either the Welsh Nationals or the English Nationals, ensuring a focus on local talent.
Sonu Kumar's Inspiring Journey: From Rooftop Court to Global Stage, Olympic Dreams Drive Indian Pickleball Star
DHANBAD, JHARKHAND – From playing on a makeshift court on a hospital rooftop in Dhanbad to competing in the World Pickleball League, Sonu Kumar's journey is nothing short of inspirational. The 22-year-old pickleball professional's rise from obscurity to national prominence demonstrates his dedication to the sport.
Kumar's pickleball journey began as a pastime with friends, but he soon became passionate about the sport. Despite limited recognition of pickleball in India, Kumar honed his skills and participated in his first tournament in Maharashtra. Although he didn't win, the experience inspired him to pursue pickleball further.
Kumar's breakthrough came after COVID, when he won a singles gold medal at the ROIP tournament. Despite the win, Kumar faced challenges due to limited exposure and facilities in his small state. Just as he was about to give up, he was invited to Mumbai to turn professional with the backing of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA).
In Mumbai, Kumar received structured training, professional coaching, and high-level competition. Kumar believes that pickleball's inclusion in the Olympics is imminent. With his talent and determination, Kumar could lead India's pickleball charge.
Bollywood Star Alia Bhatt's Pickleball Passion Ignites Fan Frenzy, Biopic Rumors Swirl
MUMBAI, INDIA – Alia Bhatt, the Bollywood actress, has been spotted enjoying a pickleball match in the city, sparking excitement among fans and fueling speculation about a potential biopic. Bhatt's love for pickleball has often been captured, sometimes accompanied by her husband, Ranbir Kapoor, and daughter, Raha. This time, she was seen playing alone, fully immersed in the game.
In a video shared online on Friday, February 7, Bhatt was seen in a sporty and competitive spirit. She sported black athleisure wear, a hair bun, blue shades, white socks, and black shoes. Despite noticing the paparazzi, she remained focused on her game.
Fans reacted to the video with enthusiasm, flooding the comments section with emojis. One fan commented, "Sania Mirza Biopic Is Loading," suggesting Bhatt could portray the tennis star in a film.
Bhatt's commitment to physical fitness has been applauded.
On the work front, Bhatt has several upcoming projects, including Love & War and Alpha. Alpha, a female-led action-thriller in the YRF Spy Universe, is scheduled for release on December 25, 2025. Love & War, a romantic drama, will reunite her with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal and is slated for release on March 20, 2026.