Last Updated on December 1, 2025 by Drew Pierce
Ace here, coming at you from a rainy Monday morning in Austin that’s got me thinking about the wild weather that just hit the USA Pickleball Nationals in San Diego. Between Mother Nature’s interference, historic international developments, and some seriously good Cyber Monday paddle deals still available, we’ve got plenty to unpack this week. Or you can just grab the most expensive pickleball paddles–or the cheapest!
USA Pickleball Nationals: When 2,400 Players Face Down the Rain
This past weekend marked the 16th annual USA Pickleball Nationals at Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, and let me tell you—the weather tried its absolute best to derail the whole thing. Rain delays plagued the early rounds, particularly hitting the amateur brackets hard. But here’s what I love about the pickleball community: we adapt, we persist, and we get it done.
Despite the challenges, USA Pickleball managed to complete the tournament on time, crowning champions across multiple divisions with over 2,400 competitors from 47 states and 20 countries. That’s up from just 393 players when Nationals started back in 2009 in Buckeye, Arizona. The growth is absolutely staggering.
The professional brackets delivered some fantastic storylines. On the men’s side, Patrick Kawka finally broke through for his first career gold medal, and he did it in dramatic fashion. Kawka, known for having one of the hardest forehands on the APP Tour, didn’t drop a single game on his way to the finals where he faced Ronan Camron, who had just won the APP Mesa Open a couple weeks earlier.
The final scoreline was absolutely bonkers: 6-11, 11-0, 11-6 in Kawka’s favor. Yes, you read that right—he pickled Camron 11-0 in game two. That’s the kind of momentum shift that breaks opponents mentally. Kawka’s big serve and aggressive drives took over after losing the first game, and it was smooth sailing from there. As someone who’s been watching Kawka compete for years, seeing him finally capture that elusive gold was genuinely satisfying.
On the women’s side, Sofia Sewing continued her dominant APP Tour singles season, cruising through Nationals without dropping a game until the finals. She faced Katerina Stewart in a rematch we’ve seen several times this year. Stewart took the first game 11-5 and had Sewing shaking her head, but the Boca Raton pro rebounded to take the next two games and secure her first National title. That’s championship-level composure right there.
In doubles, Megan Fudge and Jill Braverman defended their 2024 National title with authority, winning their first three matches by a combined score of 66-19 before defeating the legendary Simone Jardim and Christine Maddox in the finals. Fudge and Braverman have been the class of the APP Tour all year, and Nationals was no different.
India Makes History: The Indian Pickleball League Debuts December 1st
Now, here’s something that really got my attention this week—the launch of India’s first official pickleball league. The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) kicks off December 1-7 in New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, and this is genuinely a big deal for the global growth of our sport.
Six franchise teams will compete: Mumbai Smashers, Hyderabad Royals, Chennai Super Warriors, Capital Warriors Gurgaon, Bengaluru Blasters, and Lucknow Leopards. The league is sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association and recognized by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, giving it official government backing.
What really impressed me about the player auction is the mix of international stars and Indian talent. Mumbai Smashers landed Quang Duong, the world’s number 3 player, as their marquee signing. Hyderabad Royals secured American star Megan Fudge (yes, the same Megan Fudge who just won USA Nationals). These aren’t exhibition matches—this is serious, professional-level pickleball.
India currently has about five million pickleball players, with projections to hit one million by 2028 domestically. The IPBL is backed by The Times Group, one of India’s largest media companies, which means significant television coverage and sponsorship investment. This isn’t a grassroots tournament; it’s a fully professional league with franchise ownership, player drafts, and a week-long championship format.
Why does this matter for those of us in the US? Because pickleball’s global expansion creates more opportunities for professional players, drives equipment innovation, and brings new perspectives to the sport. When India—with its population of 1.4 billion and deep sports culture—fully embraces pickleball, we’re looking at a potential player base that could rival or exceed the United States. That’s transformative for the sport’s future.
Cyber Monday Deals: Last Chance for Massive Savings
Speaking of transformative, let’s talk about your paddle game—and your wallet. Cyber Monday is here, and many of those killer Black Friday deals are still available or have been extended. If you missed out last week, now’s your chance.
JOOLA is running select Pro IV paddles at $229.95 (down from $279.95) through the end of the year. That’s 50 bucks off one of the most popular paddles on tour. These rarely go on sale, so if you’ve been eyeing a Pro IV, this is your window.
Gearbox still has their $100 off promotion on the GX2 and Pro Ultimate Collection through December 1st. The Pro Ultimate Power 14mm ends up at $174.99—not cheap, but these are premium paddles built to last multiple seasons. Plus, Gearbox is running weekly giveaways through Christmas, so you get entered just by making a purchase.
CRBN’s sitewide sale continues through December 3rd with 10-50% off paddles and gear. Stack code THEDINK for an additional 10% off, bringing their TruFoam Genesis down to about $227. That’s a foam core paddle competing with $300+ options at a significantly better price point.
The Kitchen has some exclusive deals running through December 1st with code KITCHEN. Holbrook’s 50% off deal on Arma paddles expires December 2nd—that’s code BFCM50 for half off. Ronbus is still running their sitewide sale with code RonbusBF20, bringing Quanta series paddles down to $89.99.
My recommendation? If you’re serious about upgrading and have been waiting for the right time, this is it. We won’t see prices this good again until next year’s holiday season. Focus on what you need most: if you want foam core technology, go for CRBN or the Honolulu options. If you’re after proven tournament performance, the JOOLA Pro IV or Selkirk options make sense. And if you’re on a budget but still want quality, those Ronbus and Holbrook deals are genuinely solid.
Looking Ahead: December Brings the Final Act
As we roll into December, we’ve got the final PPA Tour event of 2025—the Dairy Farmers Daytona Beach Open in mid-December. It’ll be fascinating to see if Anna Leigh Waters can close out the year maintaining her incredible streak, and whether any new challengers emerge in men’s singles after Roscoe Bellamy’s breakthrough and Chris Haworth’s strong finish to the season.
The international calendar is also heating up with the Indian Pickleball League and various year-end events worldwide. Pickleball’s global footprint is expanding faster than anyone predicted, and 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger.
As always, if you haven’t already, snag those Cyber Monday deals while they last. And if you’re traveling for the holidays, pack your paddle—you never know when you’ll find a court and some fellow pickleballers ready to play.
Stay warm, play hard, and remember: a little rain never stopped a true pickleball player.
—Ace