Good morning pickleballers!
Big news this morning - we can officially announce the theme of the SECOND World Pickleball Magazine which will be out on Monday, 3rd March.
We will be focusing on the recent World Pickleball League that took place in Mumbai, India.
PKLBull were the ONLY non-Indian media company to cover every single day of the tournament and we are delighted to have access to many of the key protagonists of the event - coaches, players, people behind the scenes we will have exclusive interviews with many of them. It is going to be an amazing issue, I promise you that.
In the meantime, if you have not picked up a copy of the first issue, you can do so here.
Joe James took time to delve into the news that a leading agency in Malaysia is pumping sponsorship money into two pickleball teams. You can read all about that here.
And I have the latest PKLBulletin for you - news from the pickleball world all over the globe. Enjoy!
Peterborough Pickleball Plans Blocked: Council Refuses New Courts
Plans to introduce new padel and pickleball courts in Peterborough have been rejected by the Peterborough City Council. Alan Jordan of Padel Peterborough sought a Lawful Development Certificate to convert four unused tennis courts at Powerleague, near Stanground Academy, into five padel courts and three pickleball courts. The council, however, stated the development would exceed limitations set in the Town and Country Planning Order 2015, asserting that it requires planning permission.
Padel Peterborough expressed disappointment, emphasizing the sports' potential benefits to the local community and the wider population. They remain committed to delivering these "Fit for Life" sports and are considering a full planning application.
The rejected proposal aimed to revitalize a vacant and dilapidated site, offering a fresh sporting option for residents. Padel Peterborough thanked Stanground Academy for their continued support and welcomes community support via email.
This decision comes amidst increasing enthusiasm for pickleball, with proponents like Drew Brees highlighting its accessibility and inviting nature. Despite the setback, Padel Peterborough remains determined to bring padel and pickleball to the city.
FUNDERBALL: Pickleball Tournament in Niagara Falls Champions Diversity and Disability Support
The inaugural FUNDERBALL pickleball fundraiser in Niagara Falls is set to be an event that celebrates diversity and supports a worthy cause. On February 22, participants of all skill levels, from novices to seasoned 4.0 players, will gather to raise money for Niagara-born marathon runner Michael Seliske and the Shaftesbury Group, a UK-based charity for people with disabilities.
The event has garnered attention for its inclusive nature, attracting individuals committed to helping those with physical and intellectual disabilities. Para-athlete Marilyn Abbs, a wheelchair tennis competitor who recently became "addicted to pickleball", is among those participating. Morgan Cooper, founder of Community Connect, is bringing a group of players and volunteers from his organization, which helps individuals with intellectual disabilities engage in their community.
The FUNDERBALL tournament has also attracted geographic interest. Rachel Friedmann from Owen Sound will travel to participate, seeking to improve her game and connect with the pickleball community. The event will feature fun pickleball drills, challenging games, and unusual competitions, with prizes awarded for the best pickleball attire.
Tickets for the event are $50, with all proceeds going to the Shaftesbury Group.
Daytona Beach Domination: Fudge and Munro Each Grab Two Golds at APP Vlasic Classic
Daytona Beach witnessed a pickleball spectacle as Megan Fudge and Jack Munro each seized two gold medals at the APP Vlasic Classic. Players and spectators flocked to Pictona at Holly Hill for five days of intense competition, culminating in a series of championship matches.
Fudge, the APP’s all-time women’s total medal leader, and 20-year-old Munro showcased their exceptional skills throughout the event. Together, they clinched the mixed doubles title, adding to their individual victories. Fudge also teamed up with Jill Braverman to secure gold in women’s doubles, while Munro partnered with Will Howells to win the men’s doubles title.
Other highlights from the tournament included Sofia Sewing's first career APP Tour gold medal in women’s singles and Chris Haworth's continued reign in men’s singles, marking his seventh consecutive title.
The APP Vlasic Classic welcomed not only elite professionals but also a large contingent of amateur players, the AARP Champions and AARP Masters Divisions, and the Humana Cup team competition. Gold medalists earned the right to pre-register for the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships. The five gold medal matches from the APP Vlasic Classic in Daytona Beach will air nationwide on CBS Sports Network on Feb. 14, 16, and 17.
Caribbean Pickleball Heats Up: Bermuda Dethrones Cayman in Nations Cup
The inaugural Pickleball Caribbean Nations Cup Championships saw fierce competition as six teams battled for supremacy, with Bermuda ultimately dethroning the home team Cayman Islands in the open division. The event, sanctioned by the Pickleball Federation of the Americas, took place in the Cayman Islands from February 6-9 and also featured youth players in the Caribbean Championships.
Pickleball Cayman manager Steve Thompson noted the enthusiastic turnout, estimating nearly 500 people attended the final night. Teams from Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Trinidad and Tobago all vied for victory.
Cayman emerged victorious in the senior division, with the Bahamas taking second place and Bermuda finishing third.
The open division final saw Cayman face off against Bermuda in a rematch of their Pickleball World Cup encounter in Lima, Peru, where Cayman had defeated Bermuda.
After four games, the teams were tied, leading to a tense "dreambreaker" singles match which Bermuda won 21-18, avenging their previous loss.
Thompson expressed satisfaction with the tournament and the high level of play. Organizers aim to expand the event in future years, potentially hosting the competition in Bermuda. The goal is to spread the tournament around the region as more pickleball facilities develop.
Pickleball Romance? Fans Speculate About Bright and Frazier
Are Anna Bright and Dylan Frazier more than just pickleball partners? Fans are buzzing about a potential romance between the two pro players. The speculation ignited after the pair won gold together at the Veolia Milwaukee Open, showcasing undeniable chemistry both on and off the court.
During the post-match interview, Frazier’s complimentary remarks about Bright fueled the fire:
"I love competing with her. She’s such a great competitor and she really does bring out the best in me and makes me want to fight for every point and every single game. She’s such a great competitor and such a great friend".
Social media exploded with comments about their connection, with fans noting their sweet interactions. Some even suggested "Anna Frazier" has a nice ring to it. Bright has also shared old highlight reels of the duo in action, revealing a long-standing friendship.
Bright is known for her energetic and expressive personality, while Frazier is more laid-back. Despite their differences, it could make for an ideal partnership on and off the court. At MLP Las Vegas, Bright wore a bright red T-shirt that said, “Dylan, have my babies!”. Whether they are just having fun with the speculation or if there is a budding romance, many fans are eager to see where their relationship goes.
Agassi and Graf's Secret Weapon: Pickleball Keeps the Spark Alive
Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have found a new way to connect: pickleball. Agassi credits the sport with positively impacting their relationship, offering a shared athletic outlet beyond the tennis court.
The couple will participate in the upcoming Pickleball Slam 3 against Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard, vying for a $1 million prize. Despite the competitive nature of the event, Agassi has expressed admiration for Bouchard and acknowledged Roddick's fierce competitiveness.
Agassi emphasized that pickleball is more accessible and less intimidating for family members to pick up compared to tennis. He noted that while tennis requires years of practice to enjoy, anyone can quickly improve and have fun playing pickleball. This makes it easier for their families to join in.
Agassi and Graf have embraced pickleball so much that they launched their signature paddles. This new shared passion allows them to grow together, strengthening their bond. For Agassi and Graf, pickleball isn't just a game; it's a "wonderful" way to connect outside of tennis.
Adidas Debut Derailed? Staksrud's Struggles Raise Paddle Questions
Federico Staksrud's first tournament after signing with Adidas has sparked questions about his transition to a new paddle. At the Proton Tucson Open, Staksrud's performance was inconsistent, leading to early exits in multiple events.
He was eliminated in the round of 32 in singles, an unusual occurrence for him. This was followed by a round of 16 loss in mixed doubles and a withdrawal in men’s doubles.
According to Jim Kloss, the poor performance may be due to Staksrud's unfamiliarity with his new Adidas paddle. Kloss noted that Staksrud sometimes looked like his old self, but at other times seemed "a little off".
Paddle changes can significantly impact a player's game, as seen with Dylan Frazier's success after switching to a JOOLA 3 paddle. Frazier's newfound power with the JOOLA paddle helped him secure two bronze medals. While a paddle change proved beneficial for Frazier, Staksrud's experience suggests that adapting to a new paddle can present challenges. It remains to be seen if Staksrud will bounce back once he becomes more comfortable with his new equipment.
Proton Open: Donald Young's Power Play: Is He the Hardest Hitter on Tour?
At the Proton Tucson Open, Donald Young made a case for being the hardest hitter on the PPA Tour, displaying an eye-poppingly fast serve and forehand. According to Jim Kloss, lacking a radar gun, the "eyeball test" declared Young the leader in power, especially when using the Proton 4 paddle.
During grandstand commentary with Thomas Wilson, Kloss noted they agreed that Young's serve and forehand were the fastest and hardest they had ever seen. Young is newly signed with Proton, as Federico Staksrud is with Adidas, and Dylan Frazier is using a JOOLA. While Staksrud struggled with his new Adidas paddle, Frazier found success, and Young appears to also be thriving with his new equipment.
The question remains whether Young can refine his touch, particularly on crosscourt rolls. If he does, Kloss suggests Young could make rapid progress in his transition from tennis to professional pickleball. The tour will have to wait and see if Young can live up to the hype. For now, Young's power game has certainly turned heads and sparked a debate about who reigns supreme in the power department.