Here's everything you missed in pickleball in May.

From blue cards to world travels, the pros were booked and busy last month. 

Pickleball news:

Pickleball Inc. received a historic investment of $225 million from Apollo sports.

The PPA Tour’s documentary PARTNERS was released on YouTube and currently has nearly four million views. 

Selkirk acquired Bread & Butter Pickleball Company. 

The PPA Tour announced another new international expansion, PPA Spain. 

JOOLA revealed a summer collaboration with the iconic ice cream brand Bomb Pops. 

Singer Teddy Swims shared that he’s Brooklyn Pickleball Team’s biggest fan.  

Here’s what your favorite pros were up to off the court:

Tyson McGuffin went to a Los Angeles Lakers game. 

Anna Leigh Waters played pickleball with YouTuber Jeremy Hutchins and made a perfect steak with Richard Blais. 

Hunter and Yates Johnson handed out roses to the moms on tour on Mother's Day.

Connor Garnett played pickleball with pop icon Katy Perry for her Firework Foundation. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Connor Garnett (@congarnett)

Angie Walker took a trip to Rome, Italy. 

Camila Zilveti visited several countries around the Middle East and Asia.  

Genie Bouchard visited wine country in Napa Valley, California.  

Ed Perez got married in Florida and went to London for a honeymoon.

JW and Jorja Johnson went on the Pickleballers Podcast and JW revealed that he once had to sign a woman’s underwear. 

Anna Leigh Waters traveled across California and went to Disneyland. 

Cleo Bond got a new pickleball coach, Beth Bellamy. 

Anna Leigh Waters made an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning.

Genie Bouchard attended the French Open.  

Christian Alshon collaborated with Dude Perfect for a trick shot that took over 1,000 tries. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Christian Alshon (@christian.alshon)

A few of the American pros traveled abroad to compete in the PPA Asia 500 tournament. Collin Johns and Len Yang won the gold in men’s doubles, Zoey Wang won women’s singles, and Alix Truong and Tama Shimabukuro won mixed. 

Jorja Johnson got a dress named after her from 11NIL.

JW Johnson showed off his yoga skills.  

Hayden Patriquin went to Peru. 

Rachel Rorhabacher went to a petting zoo to meet some otters. 

Federico Staksrud visited friends and family in Argentina.

Tama Shimabukuro competed at the PPA Asia Macao Open and won gold in men’s singles and doubles with Armaan Bhatia.

Cam Chaffin went on Good Day Columbus to talk about all things pickleball. 

PPA Finals

Anna Leigh Waters pulled out of singles due to an injury. 

Kate Fahey won women’s singles. Chris Haworth won men’s singles. 

Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio finished out the year undefeated in men’s doubles, securing another title together. Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters won women’s doubles. And Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns wrapped up their season with another gold in mixed doubles. 

The best dressed pros included Alix Truong, Hurricane Tyra Black, and Jorja and JW Johnson.

Major League Pickleball 

With the PPA Finals ending the 2025-26 campaign, MLP kicked off in Dallas. 

MLP Dallas

With the addition of new rules for MLP, Federico Staksrud became the first pro ever to receive a blue card. 

Upcoming pros made their MLP debut, including Elsie Hendershot for the St. Louis Shock and Danni-Elle Townsend for the Columbus Sliders. 

The winners of the event, the LA Mad Drops, received a championship belt that will be passed around throughout the season to each winning team.

MLP Columbus

Parris Todd made her return to MLP after suspension. 

Sophia Sewing and the Palm Beach Royals made their MLP debut.   

Zane Navratil, who previously played for the New Jersey 5s, accidentally cheered for the 5s during a match. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Pickleball Shawn (@slicemastergeneral)

Grayson Goldin made a triumphant return from injury.

A few of the stars from Netflix’s Love Is Blind were in attendance. 

Pro soccer player Wessam Abou Ali also stopped by MLP Columbus to watch the action.

The New Jersey 5s took the victory in Columbus. 

What was your favorite pickleball moment from May 2026? Let us know on Instagram.