The 2018 Australian Pickleball Nationals marked the start of national competitive play in Australia, bringing together players of all ages for a historic event. Held on Saturday, October 13, 2018, in Sydney, New South Wales, the tournament was created by the Pickleball Association of Australia to launch the sport’s first nationwide championship.
A Landmark Beginning
The first Nationals took place at the Police Youth Centre in Marrickville and featured over 60 players, ranging from youth competitors to seniors. Tournament directors Tony Morgan and Bob Mendelson oversaw the event, which laid the foundation for the sport’s future growth in the country. Players set up the courts themselves by taping the boundaries and kitchen lines before the matches began.
A Fun, Social Atmosphere
Despite its competitive purpose, the event felt relaxed and friendly. Experienced players served as referees for the semi-final and final matches, while Nick Cooper, founder of the Australia Pickleball Superstore, hosted a vendor table. Games were timed to keep the schedule on track, with some matches lasting only five minutes to ensure the tournament finished on time.
One participant described the excitement of the setting, saying, “The tournament was held in a Police Youth Centre in Marrickville. There were four courts side by side x 2; 8 courts all together, with four feet between courts, and balls were flying everywhere. It was loads of fun and it was a treat to be playing in the first PB Tournament in Australia. One day we’ll be able to say, ‘We were there!’”
Winners of the First Nationals
The inaugural champions made their mark on Australian pickleball history.
Men’s Singles: Nick Cooper
Women’s Singles: Bree Calderwood
Men’s Doubles: Sundar Ramamurthy and Sueme Rajpal
Women’s Doubles: Debbie Rossi and Jen Ramamurthy
Mixed Doubles: Jen Ramamurthy and Sundar Ramamurthy
At the close of the award ceremony, players faced one final challenge—removing the stubborn white tape from the court floors, which proved more difficult than expected.
Setting the Stage for Growth
The success of the 2018 Nationals led directly to the second national tournament in 2019, which was renamed the Australian Pickleball Championships. Participation tripled the following year, attracting more vendors, stronger competition, and professional players from the United States.
The first Nationals not only introduced Australia to national pickleball competition but also built the organizational base for the sport’s rapid expansion across the country.
News in Brief: 2018 Australian Pickleball Nationals Launch
The 2018 Australian Pickleball Nationals launched national pickleball play in Australia on October 13, 2018, in Sydney. With over 60 players and a friendly, social atmosphere, the event set the foundation for future growth and paved the way for the larger Australian Pickleball Championships in 2019.
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