Game, Set, Match: The Indian Open 2025 is About to Begin

Game, Set, Match: The Indian Open 2025 is About to Begin

Game, Set, Match: The Indian Open 2025 is About to Begin ByGenesis Jan 18, 2025 04:31 PM IST Share Via Copy Link Bollywood Stars & Global Pros: Pickleball Fever on the Rise as Teams Gear Up for  The Indian Open 2025.

The Indian Open 2025, scheduled to take place from February 3rd to 9th in Mumbai, will bring together a diverse array of pickleball players worldwide. Organized by Global Sports, the tournament will feature over 1200+ players in 30 indoor air conditioned courts competing in various categories.

The team owners, along with Global Sports partners and Karan Johar, proudly reveal the tournament trophy, marking the beginning of an exhilarating journey.

A unique aspect of the Indian Open is its team-based format. Over 110 players were selected through a draft system to form ten elite teams. These teams are supported by notable figures from Indian entertainment and business, including Bollywood actors and entrepreneurs.

Pickleball has seen a significant surge in popularity in India over the past year and a half. With over 50,000 players and nearly 1,000 courts across the country, the sport has gained popularity in both major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, as well as smaller towns such as Jaipur, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Ambala. This rapid growth can be attributed to its accessibility and ease of learning.

Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, the sport is easy to learn, with a smaller court and minimal equipment. As a result, it appeals to a broad demographic, making it ideal for India’s diverse population. Shashank Khaitan, partner at Global Sports, says, "When pickleball first started, many people in India didn’t know about it. But it picked up fast, and more people now want to watch it. The way it’s captured has become very viewer-friendly. If there’s ever a time to take this sport higher, it’s now.”

Movie-maker and pickleball enthusiast Karan Johar expressed his excitement about pickleball’s potential for growth in India, “I realize that pickleball is going global. It has become a part of pop culture, and pop culture is what defines relevance. There are very few sports that are truly embedded in pop culture. I picked up pickling as a sport after a long hiatus of 34 years. So that's how inclusive and accommodating it is as a sport.”

"We received great responses from all over the world. We shortlisted 110 players, and that was quite a difficult job for us", said Hemal Jain, Founder and Partner, of Global Sports.

Some of India’s finest talents, including Aryaan Bhatia and Snehal Patil, Arjun Singh, and Aditya Singh are set to take the court. They’ll be joined by international stars like American pros Richard Livornese Jr., Collin Shick, Rob Nunnery, and Taiwan’s Pei-Chuan,-Kao

On the women’s side, India’s Mihika Yadav will be competing alongside America’s Riley Bohnert, and the Netherlands’ Roos Van Reek (currently in Australia), adding even more firepower to the competition.

The tournament will feature ten teams, each with a distinctive identity and backed by influential owners. These include:

The Indian Open 2025 is expected to play a significant role in further popularizing pickleball in India. “We’ve built trust and credibility over the years, and the world has noticed. We can’t wait to show you what we’re all about,” says Yuvraj from Global Sports. The upcoming Indian Open 2025 in February will be a mix of competition, athleticism, strategy, and entertainment. With continued growth at the grassroots level and increased infrastructure development, the sport has the potential to become a prominent fixture in the Indian sporting landscape.

Championship Point for Viktor Axelsen /Yonex Sunrise India 2025