HomeIndia Pickleball NewsBengaluru Jawans Crowned as Champions of Inaugural World Pickleball League

Bengaluru Jawans Crowned as Champions of Inaugural World Pickleball League

Bengaluru Jawans Crowned as Champions: Bengaluru Jawans made history by defeating Pune United 3-1 to win the first-ever World Pickleball League (WPL). The tournament, held at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, marked India’s entry into franchise-based pickleball competitions.

A Groundbreaking Tournament

The WPL was co-founded by former Indian tennis stars Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar. The league featured six teams: Mumbai Pickle Power, Pune United, Bengaluru Jawans, Chennai Super Champs, Hyderabad Hustlers, and Dilli Dilwale. Each team had eight players, including international and Indian athletes, along with top juniors selected for high-level exposure.

The event boasted a prize pool of $250,000 (approximately Rs 2.1 crore) and was streamed live on FanCode while being telecast on the Sony Sports network.

Over ten days, fans witnessed thrilling matches, starting with Mumbai Pickle Power facing Pune United and Bengaluru Jawans taking on Chennai Super Champs. The top four teams from the group stage advanced to the semi-finals, leading to an intense championship match.

Bengaluru Secures the Title

In the final, Bengaluru Jawans took an early lead with Jack Foster’s dominant 26-8 win in the men’s singles. Trang Hyunh-McClain and Alejandra Borobia extended the advantage with a 13-9 victory in the women’s doubles.

Pune United fought back as William Sobek and Vanshik Kapadia claimed a 15-6 men’s doubles win. However, Katerina Stewart sealed Bengaluru’s victory with a decisive 21-9 win over Brooke Revuelta in the women’s singles. Stewart, named Player of the League, shared her excitement.

“I’m incredibly grateful and overjoyed—it’s still sinking in! These ten days of pickleball in India have been extraordinary. Winning with my team made it even more special. At 5-5 today, I had a bit of panic but reminded myself to stay calm and focus, and it paid off.” – (Stewart)

The World Pickleball League’s successful launch highlights the sport’s rapid growth in India. With top players and rising talents competing at a high level, the league has set the stage for more professional pickleball events in the country.

News in Brief: Bengaluru Jawans Crowned as Champions

Bengaluru Jawans clinched the first-ever World Pickleball League title by defeating Pune United 3-1 in Mumbai. The tournament, co-founded by Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, featured six teams and a $250,000 prize pool. Player of the League Katerina Stewart sealed the victory with a decisive singles win.

ALSO READ: Bengaluru Jawans Clinch Finals Spot with a Nail-Biting 3-2 Comeback Over Hyderabad

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