Armaan Bhatia Claims Triple Crown: Armaan Bhatia, a 26-year-old from India, is quickly making a name for himself as one of the brightest stars in international pickleball. With an impressive victory at the PWR DUPR India Masters in October, where he claimed a triple crown, Bhatia is now setting his sights on the global stage in 2025. His rapid rise in the sport has been marked by significant wins, dedication, and an innate understanding of racquet sports.
A Family Legacy of Athletic Excellence
Armaan’s path to athletic greatness seems almost inevitable given his family’s rich sporting history. His grandfather, Abdul Ismail, earned the nickname “Sultan of Swing” in India for his exceptional cricket career. In the 1970s, Ismail dominated as a bowler, becoming a household name and later a selector for the Mumbai Cricket Association.
The legacy didn’t stop there; Armaan’s uncle, Asif Ismail, represented India and Hong Kong in the Davis Cup and reached a career-high tennis ranking of 412 in the world. Additionally, Armaan’s parents were accomplished badminton players, setting the stage for Armaan and his younger brother Aryaan to excel in racquet sports as well.
From Tennis to Pickleball: A Natural Transition
Armaan’s athletic journey began in tennis. Starting at the age of five, he trained at Mumbai’s Khar Gymkhana and won the Indian Open Nationals at 17. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with strict lockdown measures in India, forced Armaan to reassess his future in tennis.
Rather than starting over from scratch, he pivoted to pickleball after the restrictions eased, although his initial interest in the sport wasn’t as immediate as some of his peers. But soon, he became captivated by it.
Armaan’s first pro pickleball tournament was the 2022 Bainbridge Cup in Mumbai, but it wasn’t until 2024 that he fully committed to the sport. In November 2023, he decided to train and play pickleball full-time.
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International Success and the Road to MLP
Armaan’s 2024 campaign kicked off with a gold in men’s singles and a silver in men’s doubles at the Global Sports India Open. He teamed up with Harsh Mehta, his regular doubles partner, to claim the silver in doubles.
In addition to his domestic wins, Armaan was drafted into MLP Australia’s Northern Crocs for the league’s inaugural season. Despite only holding a 4.5 DUPR at the time, Armaan made an immediate impact. His team won two events, and they were crowned champions of the season.
Armaan’s success continued to snowball in 2024. He captured gold at the PPA Tour Australia – Brisbane Championships, and later, he and Harsh made their U.S. debut at the MINTO US Open Championships in Naples, Florida.
Although they didn’t find immediate success in singles, their performance in men’s doubles was commendable, progressing to the main draw before making an impressive run in the back draw to finish fifth. Their determination paid off when they got revenge on Ross Whittaker and Brandon Lane with a 15-11 victory in the fifth-place match.
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The Triple Crown: A Milestone Victory
By October 2024, Armaan had reached a career milestone at the PWR DUPR India Masters, where he secured a triple crown. In men’s singles, he bested American Dusty Boyer in the final.
In mixed doubles, he and former Northern Crocs teammate Roos Van Reek won over Danni-Elle Townsend and George Wall. Finally, Armaan and Harsh defeated Australian Mitch Hargreaves and American Roman Estareja to win the men’s double crown.
A Rapid Ascent to Global Recognition
Armaan’s rise in pickleball has been swift. At the start of the year, his DUPR was 4.5, but by October, it had risen to 6.2, placing him among the top male pros in the USA. While many players would take a well-deserved break after such a successful year, Armaan chose a different path. In December, he flew to Austin, Texas, to train with some of the best in the sport.
At The Lab, a premier pickleball facility, he worked alongside pros like Zane Navratil and Michael Loyd, honing his skills for the next level. Ryan Dawidjan, General Manager of the Texas Ranchers in Major League Pickleball, praised Armaan for his quick development, highlighting his strong movement and impressive backhand flick.
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The Future is Bright for Armaan
Armaan Bhatia’s dedication to pickleball has been nothing short of inspiring. His ability to rise to the top so quickly, coupled with his relentless work ethic, suggests that he’s ready for even greater success in the future. With 2025 on the horizon, Armaan’s name is likely to become synonymous with success on international pickleball.
News in Brief: Armaan Bhatia Claims Triple Crown
Armaan Bhatia, 26, has rapidly ascended the international pickleball scene, claiming a triple crown at the PWR DUPR India Masters in October 2024. With a family legacy steeped in athletics, Bhatia transitioned from tennis to pickleball, quickly earning gold and silver medals at various international tournaments.
As his DUPR soared from 4.5 to 6.2, he continued to train hard, solidifying his place as one of pickleball’s brightest rising stars. Bhatia is preparing for even greater challenges on the world stage in 2025.
ALSO READ: Indian Pickleball Open 2025 Brings Global Stars to Mumbai
Readers Queries
1.Who is Armaan Bhatia?
Armaan Bhatia, 25, was a tennis player before switching to pickleball. Armaan Bhatia won all three of his finals to emerge with three titles at the first flagship pickleball event held in New Delhi.
2. Who is the father of pickleball?
Congressman Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell invented the game of pickleball one summer afternoon in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA. In Barney’s own words, here is the story, along with views of the original (and oldest) pickleball courts in the world.