Australian pickleball stars Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis have signed exclusive contracts with the UPA and will compete in PPA Tour and MLP events.

Evans and Spiridis join the premier global professional pickleball tour and league after successful careers with the NPL in Australia.

This marks the first-ever signed contracts for Australian players in the PPA Tour and MLP and the beginning of professional pathways through elite organizations - like the NPL and PPA Australia - for the best Australian players to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.

“Being signed to the number one Pickleball Association in the world, alongside the best players, is absolutely mind-blowing,” said Evans. “I’m so excited to see how far I can go and how much I can improve. I’m thrilled to partner with such a fantastic organization like the PPA Tour and help grow this incredible sport. My time with the NPL, both playing and serving as an ambassador, has helped propel me to this incredible moment - and I hope to see many more athletes making this incredible journey. Plus, being supported by the best paddle brand in the world, Proton, makes it all the more exciting.”

“When I first started playing pickleball, my goal was to one day become a PPA player in the US and now that dream has become a reality,” said Spiridis. “I’m so grateful for this opportunity. Partnering with such an incredible organization like the PPA feels surreal. We are so grateful to NPL for the opportunities given to us in Australian Pickleball and are looking forward to this incredible next chapter.”

After successful tennis careers which saw them ascend to the top ranked juniors in Victoria and NSW as well as a top 300 and 200 International Tennis Federation ranking, Spiridis and Evans have swapped out the racquet for a paddle.

Evans and Spiridis depart for the United States in June 2025.

Before then, the pair will compete at the Proton Australia Pickleball Open this week at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside many of Australia’s top pros and pros from the PPA Tour.