Pickleball Open fires up SZ with global competitors

The 2025–2026 APBA Pickleball Open Grand Finals PRO division kicked off July 16 at Jianshang Sports Complex in Longhua District, drawing top international talent including Dutch women’s singles player Rosalie Van Reek, Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Yu-Chieh, and American men’s singles player Jack Foster.

The four-day elite competition follows a three-day amateur/open event. This edition of APBA Pickleball Open attracted more than 1,700 entries from 23 countries and regions — underscoring pickleball’s fast-growing crossover appeal.

Four competitors for the 2025–2026 APBA Pickleball Open Grand Finals have a friendship match during the kick‑off ceremony for the tournament's pro division on July 16. Photos courtesy of event organizers

A lively opening ceremony mixed street dance and martial arts with traditional lion dances, before the first PRO match served off. Organizers highlighted the tournament’s dual mission: showcasing world class athleticism while keeping the sport accessible to all. The amateur division had already featured players from under-10 to over-70.

Shelby Bates, a tennis coach for 15 years, picked up pickleball in 2022 and turned professional in 2023. Having traveled the world for tournaments, she has been delighted to see the sport grow at every stop.

"I know the Asian level of pickleball is amazing. It's super high. They come from badminton and ping pong. They have great hands," said Bates, who participated in the professional division in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. "I'm excited to see the venue, and it's indoors."

U.S. player Shelby Bates (R) and Thai player Bhannawitch Busarakulh play mixed doubles during the friendship match.

Beyond the courts, the organizers turned the venue into a “pickleball playground,” offering free coaching for beginners, equipment trials, photo zones, and limited-edition merchandise. The initiative drew large crowds of local families and first-time players, helping turn a high-profile event into a community festival.

The ripple effect has been felt across Longhua’s commercial district. Nearby restaurants and shops reported surging footfall, while hotels rolled out match-stay packages. The district’s tourism bureau also linked the event with cultural sites such as Guanlan Printmaking Village and Yangtai Mountain Forest Park, launching 10 study-tour itineraries that attracted out-of-town visitors — turning sports traffic into tangible consumer spending.

Longhua officials see the APBA Open as a stepping stone towards building a full-spectrum, age-friendly sports ecosystem. With previous hosting credits including the Aramco China Championship, national volleyball and aeromodelling events, and table tennis and basketball all-star games, the district is positioning itself as a rising sports hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.