Coimbatore Pickleball Open 2025: Coimbatore marked a historic milestone by hosting Tamil Nadu’s first-ever PWR 200 pickleball tournament, organised by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA). The event attracted more than 300 players and 257 entries, making it one of the largest pickleball competitions in the state. Players, organisers, and fans hailed it as a breakthrough moment for the sport.
Local Players Shine
Local star Bhupathi Sakthivel, who reached the finals, expressed his excitement about the sport’s rapid growth. He said,
“I’ve been playing this sport for about five to six months. I was actually a tennis player. Later on, I just came and played it as a fun sport.
Right now, it’s growing very rapidly. This sport can be played from the age of five to any age. It’s also a social sport. Everybody can play this sport.”
Reflecting on the quality of competition, he added,
“It was a good level. I saw players from all over South India and some from North as well. I played with many good players from other states. This is my hometown and my home court, so it feels good to be here.”
Fans and Travelling Players Impressed
The tournament also drew spectators and players from across the region. Among them was Hanika from Chennai, who travelled to support her friends and compete. She said,
“In Coimbatore, this sport is happening. I think it’s an excellent opportunity for people, and I’ve actually come all the way from Chennai to support my friends and also play a couple of games myself.
It’s been organised really well and I think it’s motivating a lot of people to join this sport as well, considering how good the coaches are.”
Highlighting the buzz around the event, she added,
“The movement in Coimbatore is picking up really well. Looking at the number of registrations, entries and participants, you can tell that it’s booming a lot.
As an audience, it’s nice to watch that all the games are very close. Everyone is putting their best foot forward, giving it their all when they’re playing. It’s also nice to see that a lot of people have good sportsmanship, and that makes me really happy as an audience to watch.”
Drawing on her tennis background, she concluded,
“In comparison to tennis, I feel it is an easier sport for sure, but it is still really, really intense. Watching how close the games are, how many tennis players are actually moving into pickleball now, I think the sport is really picking up.
Tournament Significance
Ritika, who was both an organiser and a player, explained why the event was important for pickleball in Coimbatore.
“So this is a PWR 200-ranked tournament organised by IPA. And what this gives is this is a world-ranking tournament where if you win the singles, for example, my friend Bhupati wins, then he will get 200 points that’s added to his tally in the world total,” she told Times Now.
She also noted its connection to the DUPR system, saying,
“This is also a DUPR-ranked event where people all over India can track their progress by playing against better players. Suppose a 4.5 player plays against a 5.0 and beats them,
then their ranking increases to like 4.7 or 4.8. So that’s the reason we wanted to organise a tournament with some significance in Coimbatore.”
Pickleball’s Growth in Coimbatore
Though still new to the city, pickleball has spread quickly. Ritika explained,
“A lot of people are just getting into the sport. It’s probably about six to eight months old in Coimbatore. So people needed to see the seriousness and how competitive and professional the sport can also be.
We wanted to create a platform that gives athletes the understanding that this can be taken as a serious sport and that you can pursue this professionally.”
She also highlighted its inclusivity across ages.
“In this sport, we have many categories. It’s under 18, open, 35-plus, 50-plus, and even 60-plus. So if you are young or old, categories are created for you to pursue this sport.
Even when I’m 40 or 50, I can continue to play this event. That’s why it’s picking up so much. So many people around India know that in 10 years, they don’t have to stop.”
Why This Matters
The successful hosting of the Coimbatore Pickleball Open 2025 has placed the city firmly on India’s pickleball map. With strong local talent, enthusiastic fans, and international ranking points at stake, the event has shown that pickleball in Tamil Nadu is ready for bigger stages. Its inclusive nature ensures players of all ages can continue pursuing the sport for years to come.
News in Brief: Coimbatore Pickleball Open 2025
Coimbatore hosted Tamil Nadu’s first PWR 200 pickleball tournament, drawing 300 players and 257 entries. Organised by the Indian Pickleball Association, the event impressed locals and visiting fans alike. With DUPR and PWR points on offer, the tournament highlighted pickleball’s rapid rise and inclusivity, making Coimbatore a key hub for the sport.
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