Pickleball had a wild month in April. Ben Johns quit pickleball, Hunter Johnson got kicked out of a tournament, and the Pickleball Slam resulted in Anna Leigh Waters losing to two tennis legends in a doubles match. So here’s everything you missed in April.

Industry News

JOOLA filed a patent infringement litigation against 11 paddle brands to protect their propulsion core technology. Apparently, they’re not seeking any financial compensation, they just want the other companies to stop using the same tech.

The Ares Pickleball Slam 4 took place in Hollywood, Florida. Anna Leigh Waters proved her dominance in singles and beat tennis legend, James Blake. But Andre Agassi and Blake won in a battle of the sexes against Waters and Genie Bouchard.

The Texas Ranchers announced their partnership with BAiO for a six figure value, making it the highest team level single year deal in MLP history.

Major League Pickleball followed in the footsteps of the PPA Tour and named the Life Time LT Pro 48 as its official ball ahead of the 2026 season. 

Alix Truong signed a new apparel and paddle deal with Kamito Pickleball, a Vietnamese-based company as the overseas market continues to boom.

Pro News

On April fools day, Ben Johns claimed that he was officially quitting pro pickleball and pursuing pro padel full time. Don't worry, it was just an Apil fools joke. 

Tammy Emmrich, her daughter, and their new puppy shared an adorable family photo on Easter. Mary Brascia played pickleball with Andre Agassi, James Blake, and Matt Manassee. Alli Phillips went to a tulip festival. 

Christian Alshon visited the Ba Vi National Park, and bought a fancy new watch. Jay Devilliers went to a Muay Thai competition.

Caden Nemoff went on the City Limitless podcast. 

The pros attended a special screening of the new pickleball documentary, Partners, and the PPA dropped the show’s official trailer. 

Cleo Bond missed her flight abroad to Asia, so she spent some time on Route 66. Newly signed pro Kelly Goodnow went to her eighth grade graduation. CJ Klinger visited the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Jace Morris went to prom.

Anna Leigh Waters released another new “In the Kitchen” episode, this time with Genie Bouchard. Alex Walker and Nicole Conard went to a pilates class. Mary Brascia and her boyfriend went to Coachella. Hurricane Tyra Black and Nicole Conard went to a concert. Michael Loyd and his fiancé adopted a pug and named him Erne.

 

 

 

 

 

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Mary and Maggie Brascia celebrated their sixth year playing pickleball and shared a throwback photo from their first tournament. 

Zane Ford got married. Anna Leigh Waters went on the Welcome to the Party podcast. PPA DJ dished on what songs top pros request when they’re on Championship Court. Rachel Rohrabacher had her bridal shower. 

Ahead of the MLP season, the pros are asked who talks the most trash on MLP.

 

 

 

 

 

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Tournament News

There were three PPA tournaments in April and no shortage of drama, including some ugly line calls and a pickleball that only made it over the net with the help of some CO2. You have to see it to believe it.

PPA Asia Hanoi Cup

While competing in Hanoi, Christian Alshon got lots of attention after getting hooked on match point. 

In one of the craziest moments from the tournament, Eric Oncins literally blew the pickleball over the net. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright won women’s doubles. Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters won mixed doubles. Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio won men’s doubles. Kaitlyn Christian snagged the gold in women’s singles. And Hoang Nam Ly wins men’s singles. 

PPA Sacramento Open

Hunter Johnson was eliminated after tossing his paddle, and accidentally hitting a spectator. 

After blowing the ball over the net at the PPA Asia Hanoi Cup, Eric Oncins does it again. But this time, he received a technical warning from PPA head referee, Don Stanley. 

Eric Oncins and Hurricane Tyra Black won mixed, and both got a little emotional after their victory. This also marked Eric’s first gold medal on the PPA Tour. 

Kate Fahey won women’s singles. Federico Staksrud won men’s. First time partners Parris Todd and Rachel Rohrabacher won women’s doubles. And Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio won men’s. As a celebration, the gold medal winners jump into the pool. 

The best dressed players include Lina Padegimaite, Jorja Johnson, and Callie Smith.

PPA Atlanta Pickleball Championships

In Atlanta, Christian Alshon got locked out of his airbnb and had to wear Gucci sneakers to play men’s singles until coach and Pickleballtv broadcaster Matt Manasse let him borrow his shoes. 

Hooking and bad line calls continue to be an issue on the pro court, as seen from this match with Lea Jansen and Albie Huang. 

The PPA DJ accidentally hit a wrong button in the middle of a match and it’s so funny. 

15-year-old Tama Shimabukuro was the talk of the tournament when he went on a tear in men’s singles, upsetting Federico Staksrud, Hunter Johnson, Noe Khlif, Jaume Martinez Vich, and ultimately won the silver medal. 

Chris Haworth put a stop to Shimabukuro’s win streak and won his first gold with that world No. 1 title to his name. 

First time partners Roscoe Bellamy and Connor Garnett made it all the way to the finals, but they were no match for Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio who took home the victory. 

Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters won mixed. Anna Leigh and Anna Bright won women’s doubles. 

Anna Leigh Waters won gold in women’s singles after a man started cheering for Kate Fahey, and Waters didn’t drop a point after that. 

The best dressed pros included Connor Garnett, Angie Walker, and Kiora Kunimoto. 

Celebrity News

The Milwaukee Brewers installed a pickleball court in their clubhouse to train and play together. And BTS stars, Jin and V, are spotted playing pickleball. 

What did we miss in April? Let us know on Instagram.