Latest news with #PPATourAsia
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
What to know about Hong Kong Open 2025 pickleball tournament and 6 places to play
Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular in Asia, with new courts opening regularly and rising numbers of players. Advertisement In 2024, Seymour Rifkind, a US-based pickleball ambassador, said that Chinese officials told him they expect there to be 10,000 courts and 100 million players in China over the next five years. In Hong Kong, the inaugural Hong Kong Open, part of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour Asia, will take place at the Kai Tak Arena in Kai Tak Sports Park this August. The tournament will be hosted by the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the parent company of the PPA Tour, who are positioning the activity to be the next leading sport in Asia. The tournament is open to players of all ages and experience levels, and amateur players can play alongside professionals. The contest will be organised according to skill level and age, with 'Pro League' gold medallists eligible for prize money up to US$50,000, as well as 1,000 points that count towards the PPA Tour Asia Rankings. Amateur players can win up to US$9,000. Advertisement Categories include men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles. Since registration began in late June, there have already been over 600 applicants, including star Hong Kong player Jack Wong, who is aiming for a triple-crown win at the open, as well as China's gold medallist Long Yufei, who ranks among the top 12 in the UPA Asia Trailblazers programme.
South China Morning Post
16-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
City's top pickleball player Jack Wong aims for triple crown at Hong Kong Open next month
Hong Kong's top pickleball player, Jack Wong Hong-kit, has voiced his ambitions for next month's Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour Asia's Hong Kong Open loud and clear. Wong, who was formerly a Hong Kong tennis player, said on Tuesday he would be chasing a triple crown – men's singles and doubles, and the mixed doubles – when he makes his home debut. 'I am aiming for a gold medal in all three events,' the 26-year-old said. 'When I first heard the tournament was coming to Hong Kong, I was actually quite excited. 'It's the first time a bigger tournament is being played here, but I'm not thinking about whether it will motivate me more or give me extra pressure – it's all about playing my best game in a change of environment, wherever we play.' Hongkonger Wong will partner Kim Eunggwon of South Korea in the men's doubles and has picked younger sister and tennis player Cody Wong Hong-yi – currently ranked No 367 in the world – as his mixed-doubles partner. China's Long Yufei won the women's singles event at the inaugural tournament in Malaysia. Photo: Jonathan Wong 'I expect to play in all PPA Tour Asia events this year,' he said. 'It's going to bring some of the best players, including from the United States, to the region so it is going to be competitive.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
PPA Tour Asia launches 2025 calendar
THE global pickleball revolution is set to break new ground with the announcement of the inaugural PPA Tour Asia events for 2025. Having already found success in the USA, the premier tour is ready to deliver an unmatched pickleball experience to a new corner of globe. PPA Tour Asia will launch with five tournaments on the initial calendar, headlined by the China Slam. PPA Tour Asia features a three-tier tournament structure – Slam, Cup and Open events – ensuring all regions and levels of competition experience the premier pickleball tour. Points earned at these events count towards the PPA Tour Asia Rankings, as players chase the prestigious No.1 crown – the ultimate recognition for dominance in Asian professional pickleball. Slam: 2000 points with an estimated US$1 million in prize money and payouts, bringing together elite international talent including top American pros, Australian pros and Asia's best players. Cup: 1500 points and an estimated US$500,000 each in prize money and payouts, showcasing fierce competition among established regional professionals and rising stars. Open: 1000 points and a minimum of US$50,000 in prize money, elevate regional talent and grow the sport throughout Asia. Malaysia, one of the fastest-growing regions for pickleball in the world, will host the tour's opening event in July. The schedule then moves into an exciting East Asian swing, with back-to-back tournaments in Hong Kong and Japan in August. The season then peaks with the China Slam, bringing the premier tier to the most populous country in the world. Scheduled for October 1-5 during China's Golden Week holiday celebrations, the tournament offers an ideal opportunity to showcase pickleball and put a spotlight on the emerging sport. Panas Kuala Lumpur Open | July 3-6 Hong Kong Open | August 21-24 Sansan Fukuoka Open | August 26-31 China Slam | October 1-5 Kuala Lumpur Cup | October 9-12
