Pickleball’s global growth is something I get asked about almost weekly. This year alone, I’ve traveled three times to India, been to England and China, and I’ll be heading back to China later this year, followed by a trip to Vietnam. While the sport’s explosion in the American market is undeniable, the world is truly our oyster, and the opportunity to impact pickleball’s growth worldwide is more significant than ever.
With more international tours, the doors are opening for players around the world. The Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) are creating tremendous opportunities, allowing players to travel, be ambassadors for the sport, and most importantly, be treated and paid like professionals. The beauty of this lies in the connections we make with players from every corner of the globe. PWR’s recent announcement about the India league set for January 2025, with drafts happening in December, is another huge step in this direction. With both a Premier and Challenger league, Premier players are guaranteed $15,000 for the season, playing for a massive prize pool.
Over the past three weeks, I’ve been actively reaching out to players from all over the world to share these exciting developments. You might wonder—why not keep this info to myself for “easy money”? The answer is simple: I want to see this sport succeed on a global scale. We can’t grow without sharing opportunities and building the sport together.
One of the most common questions I hear is whether signing up with PWR makes players exclusive to them. The short answer is no. The Expression of Interest (EOI) only limits participation in other India-based leagues and tournaments, leaving opportunities open for APP, PPA, and MLP events.
Another question: Is India safe? From my experience, absolutely. The people are wonderful and welcoming, and as long as you follow the health guidelines, you’ll be fine. After my family got very sick the first time we visited, we learned a lot, and I’ll share more on that later. What truly makes India stand out is the hospitality and the genuine love and respect for the sport and its athletes.
Players also ask about the draft process. After the Vietnam Open, owners and GMs will receive a list of players based on DUPR, PWR points, and other factors like location and notes from scouts. The system is designed to ensure fair and competitive team building.
And lastly, are PPA players allowed to join? There are no restrictions from PWR’s side, but there could be discussions with the PPA in the future. For now, the opportunities remain open.
Pickleball’s global journey is just beginning, and together, we can help grow this sport far beyond what we can even imagine today.
For anyone that has questions about the tour, draft, league etc I’d be happy to answer any questions!
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