In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson break down the latest developments across the global pickleball scene, with a sharp focus on PPA Australia, player pathways, and the evolving European landscape.

The discussion opens with a deep dive into the PPA Australia event in Moreton Bay, where a lack of depth in the draw raises bigger questions about participation, cost, and the impact of a growing global calendar. Chris and Gordon explore why fewer players are entering certain events, how rising travel costs are affecting the sport, and whether emerging tours like PPA Asia are beginning to reshape player priorities.

The conversation then turns into a broader debate about competitive standards. What happens when top players are not consistently facing elite opposition? Can regional tours maintain quality while the global game expands? And is pickleball entering a phase where depth, not just talent, becomes the defining factor?

Attention then shifts to Europe, where Louis Laville returns to the RTA Tour and immediately makes an impact with double gold in Stockholm. His rise becomes a case study in what exposure to higher-level competition can do for player development, and what it means for the next phase of European pickleball.

Chris and Gordon also examine the wider implications for the sport, from consistency at the elite level to the importance of playing against top-tier opposition regularly. This is not just about results, it is about how the global structure of pickleball is shaping the level of play itself.

If you want to understand where pickleball is heading, not just what happened last weekend, this episode delivers real insight.

Topics covered:

• PPA Australia Moreton Bay event analysis
• Lack of depth and participation challenges in tournaments
• Impact of rising travel and competition costs
• PPA Asia vs PPA Australia dynamics
• Louis Laville’s return to the European RTA Tour
• Player development through global competition
• Consistency and standards in professional pickleball

Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and all major podcast platforms for weekly insight into the stories shaping the global game.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont sits down with one of the most influential figures in European pickleball, Gustaf Getarud, to talk about playing, building and thinking the game at a high level.

Gustaf discusses how a corporate background in leadership and recruitment has shaped his approach on court, why process and problem-solving matter so much in pickleball, and how he has stayed competitive against stronger athletes with deeper racket-sport backgrounds.

The conversation also moves into the bigger picture. Together, Chris and Gustaf look at the changing European tournament scene, the risks of oversaturation, the tension between open competition and exclusivity, and what Europe can learn from the tour wars in the United States.

There is also insight into:

• why European players often approach the game differently from Americans
• how Gustaf adapted after training in the US
• the value of drilling for difficult match situations
• why flexibility of style matters more than many coaches admit
• the players and partnerships to watch in Europe right now
• why Gustaf believes Francesca Romani could become Europe’s number one before the end of the year

If you want a podcast that goes beyond surface-level chat and gets into how European pickleball is actually being built, this is one worth listening to.

Listen on Spotify, iTunes and other major podcast platforms, or find more at worldpickleballmagazine.com.

In this week’s World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson dig into the biggest talking points from the MB Hanoi Cup and the wider pro game.

The show opens with a light-hearted detour into English Open plans before turning to the real debate: Anna Leigh Waters withdrawing from women’s singles in Hanoi after a packed run of tournaments. Chris and Gordon discuss whether the professional schedule is starting to ask too much of the sport’s biggest names, and whether it was the right look for Waters’ first major international appearance in Vietnam.

They also get into Phuc Huynh’s decision not to play, the wider concerns around PPA Asia exclusivity, and whether some American players are being protected too far into the draw at the expense of local and regional talent.

From there, the conversation moves courtside. Chris and Gordon break down Ly Hoang Nam’s controversial win over Christian Alshon, the disputed line call that followed, and what the result means for Vietnam’s growing place in the pro game. There is also discussion of Hong Kit Wong and Eunggwon Kim’s big doubles win over Tyson McGuffin and Riley Newman, Mitchell Hargreaves’ strong run, the women’s singles picture in Hanoi, and the early shape of the mixed doubles and women’s doubles draws.

The episode then shifts back to the United States, where Chris Haworth’s rise to world No.1 in men’s singles is placed under the microscope. Chris and Gordon also talk about how hard it is becoming to close out matches against the sport’s very best players, what that says about the current level beneath the elite, and whether the PPA’s dominance is helping or hurting the storytelling around the pro game.

This episode covers:

• Anna Leigh Waters withdrawing from singles in Hanoi
• whether the pro schedule is becoming too congested
• Phuc Huynh’s boycott and the PPA Asia contract debate
• Ly Hoang Nam’s win over Christian Alshon
• the line-call controversy in Hanoi
• Hong Kit Wong and Eunggwon Kim’s standout doubles result
• Mitchell Hargreaves’ strong run
• Chris Haworth becoming world No.1
• why top players are becoming harder to close out against

For weekly global pickleball journalism, visit World Pickleball Magazine and sign up for the World Pickleball Report.

Bálint Bakó is one of the most interesting players in European pickleball right now, and in this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, Chris Beaumont sits down with the Hungarian star to explore the journey behind his rise.

From his background in the demanding Hungarian junior tennis system to his rapid emergence as one of Europe’s leading singles players, Bakó opens up on the moments that shaped him, the matches that changed his belief, and the realities of trying to build an international career in pickleball from Europe.

He reflects on his breakthrough in Malmö, the lessons learned from major battles across the continent, the pain of his injury in Rome, and the huge experience of competing in the World Pickleball League in Mumbai. Bakó also discusses what separates the best Asian and American players from Europe’s top names, and why he believes the gap is not talent, but exposure, opportunity, and repetition at the highest level.

This is a conversation about ambition, pressure, funding, growth, and what it really takes to try to break through in the global game.

In this episode, we cover:

• Bálint’s tennis background and how he found pickleball
• Why Malmö became a turning point in his career
• His singles mindset and how he sees his own game
• What he learned from top European rivals
• The injury moment in Rome and how he responded
• Life inside the World Pickleball League in Mumbai
• His biggest win so far against Dang Hoang Nguyen
• Why European players need more exposure to close the gap globally
• His goals for the rest of 2026

If you enjoy the podcast, make sure you follow World Pickleball Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms, and head to worldpickleballmagazine.com for daily global pickleball news, analysis, and interviews.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson break down another fascinating week across the global pickleball landscape, from emerging tours in Asia to major industry developments.

The conversation opens with discussion around the D-Joy Tour and the rapid rise of pickleball in Vietnam, including insights from recent conversations with top European player Ben Cawston and the significance of Vietnam being announced as a future host of the Pickleball World Cup. Chris and Gordon explore what this means for the sport’s expansion into Southeast Asia and how new markets are accelerating pickleball’s global reach.

Attention then turns to the UK, where English Open registrations are set to open, sparking a wider discussion around the increasing cost of entering pickleball tournaments and what that means for accessibility, participation, and the long-term health of the competitive scene.

The episode also highlights one of the more unique growth stories in North America, with churches in Quebec being converted into indoor pickleball facilities, reflecting the ongoing demand for court space and the creative solutions emerging to meet it.

Finally, Chris and Gordon address a significant industry development, discussing Gamma filing for bankruptcy and what the news could signal for the pickleball equipment market, brand competition, and the broader business landscape of the sport.

From grassroots innovation to global expansion and industry shake-ups, this episode connects the key storylines shaping pickleball’s continued growth worldwide.

Topics covered include:

• D-Joy Tour and pickleball growth in Vietnam
• Vietnam announced as a future Pickleball World Cup host
• English Open registrations and tournament entry costs
• Quebec churches converted into pickleball facilities
• Gamma bankruptcy and its impact on the industry

Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms for weekly analysis, interviews, and insight into the biggest stories in pickleball around the world.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont sits down with one of the most dominant forces in global pickleball right now: Ben Cawston, the RTA European No. 1 in Men’s Doubles, reigning European Champion, and one of the fastest-rising players in the sport.

At just 23 years old, Ben has already built a remarkable sporting résumé. A former World No. 1 in rackets and the youngest Rackets World Champion in over a century, he transitioned into pickleball in 2023 and has since taken complete control of the European scene. Alongside his partner Théo Platel, he remains unbeaten in Europe, with 17 European Pro gold medals and a record-leading 5.807 DUPR rating, the highest of any player competing on the continent.

In this conversation, Ben breaks down his dominant 2026 season, including recent gold medal performances in Vienna, Rome, and Barcelona, and explains the tactical chemistry behind his unstoppable partnership. He also reflects on his unique sporting background, from tracking 185mph rackets shots to becoming one of the most feared players at the pickleball kitchen line.

The discussion then expands to the global stage. Ben shares insights from competing on the PPA Tour, his experience in PPA Asia, and his role as a star international player in the World Pickleball League. He also analyses his narrow loss to top American pros at the Hangzhou Open, offering a clear view of how close Europe’s best are to breaking through at the highest level.

From European dominance to global ambition, this episode provides a rare look at one of the sport’s most fascinating crossover athletes and what the future of international pickleball may look like.

Topics covered include:

• Ben Cawston’s dominance in European pickleball
• Partnership success with Théo Platel
• RTA rankings and DUPR performance metrics
• Transition from rackets world champion to pickleball pro
• Competing on the PPA Tour and PPA Asia
• World Pickleball League and global expansion
• Tactical insights into elite doubles play

Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms for weekly conversations with the players, coaches, and innovators shaping pickleball worldwide.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson break down a packed week across the global pickleball scene, covering tour action, international developments, and one particularly heated debate.

The episode opens with a look at what Chris and Gordon have been working on, before diving straight into the latest professional action. Gordon shares insight from the PPA Sydney event, analysing standout performances and what the results mean for the APAC region. The discussion then shifts to the PPA Texas Open, where extreme wind conditions, triple crown success, and unpredictable matches created one of the most talked-about events of the season.

A major talking point follows, as Chris reacts strongly to a proposal suggesting that top PPA doubles pairs should be split up to create a more competitive field. The debate explores competitive balance, player dynamics, and what makes elite pickleball compelling to watch.

Beyond the pro tours, the episode expands into the international game. Chris and Gordon cover developments from WPC Asia, the opening of bidding for the Pan American Pickleball Games, and the continued growth of infrastructure with a new dedicated pickleball centre in Auckland.

The conversation also looks ahead to major global events, including confirmed dates and host city speculation for the 2026 Pickleball World Cup, as well as the evolving structure of the Caribbean Championships, which are adopting a World Cup-style format.

From tour-level drama to global expansion, this episode connects the key storylines shaping pickleball’s rapid growth worldwide.

Topics covered include:

• PPA Sydney and APAC tour developments
• PPA Texas Open and extreme playing conditions
• Debate over splitting top PPA doubles pairs
• WPC Asia updates
• Pan American Pickleball Games bidding process
• Auckland’s dedicated pickleball facility
• 2026 Pickleball World Cup planning
• Caribbean Championships format changes

Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms for weekly analysis, interviews, and insight into the biggest stories in pickleball around the world.

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson to break down another busy week across the global pickleball landscape.

The show opens with a look at what Chris and Gordon have been working on behind the scenes, including the continued growth of World Pickleball Magazine and its expanding global coverage of the sport.

From there, the hosts dive into the biggest stories on the professional circuit. The discussion begins with the PPA Tour action from the Newport Beach Open, analysing the key performances and storylines from one of the tour’s major early-season stops. The Professional Pickleball Association calendar continues to expand globally with events across North America, Asia and Australia.

Chris and Gordon also touch on the PPA Asia expansion, including the upcoming Hanoi Cup in Vietnam where top stars like Anna Leigh Waters are expected to headline the tour’s growing international presence.

The conversation then shifts to the business side of the sport, including tennis star Nick Kyrgios increasing his involvement in pickleball through investment and partnership with the rapidly expanding pickleball club operator The Picklr, highlighting the sport’s accelerating commercial momentum.

The episode also highlights grassroots innovation, including a hybrid inclusive pickleball tournament in the UK, demonstrating how the sport continues to evolve through new formats designed to bring different levels and communities together on court.

Finally, Chris previews key upcoming events on the international calendar, including details around the English Open Pickleball Championships, before finishing with a look inside the latest issue of World Pickleball Magazine.

Whether you follow the professional tours, the business of pickleball, or the sport’s growing grassroots movement, this episode connects the biggest developments shaping the global pickleball scene.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• PPA Tour action and results from the Newport Beach Open
• Expansion of the PPA Tour into Asia
• Nick Kyrgios’ increasing investment in pickleball
• Innovative hybrid pickleball tournaments in the UK
• English Open Pickleball Championships updates
• The latest issue of World Pickleball Magazine

Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms for weekly analysis, interviews, and conversations with the players, coaches and leaders driving pickleball’s global rise.