World‑class pickleball game draws APEC players

Players compete in a mixed doubles match at the PPA Asia 500 Skechers Shenzhen Open 2026 at Shenzhen Bao’an Sports Center Gymnasium yesterday. Photos by Wang Haolan

Bringing together about 600 professional and amateur players from 21 countries and regions — many of them from APEC economies — the PPA Asia 500 Skechers Shenzhen Open 2026 kicked off yesterday at the Shenzhen Bao’an Sports Center Gymnasium in Bao’an District. The players will battle it out over the next four days of competition.

As an official stop on the PPA Tour Asia, one of Asia's top professional pickleball tournaments, the event marks the first time Shenzhen has hosted an international tournament sanctioned by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA).

U.S. player Roscoe Bellamy speaks during an interview at the PPA Asia 500 Skechers Shenzhen Open 2026 in Shenzhen.

For U.S. player Roscoe Bellamy, this is his first time in China and Shenzhen, and the venue left a deep impression on him.

Having played tennis for over 20 years, Bellamy switched to pickleball in 2022, when the sport was booming in the United States. He believes China is now experiencing similar growth."You can see it everywhere — not just at the professional level but at the recreational level as well. It’s going to grow among young people, college students and beyond,” he said.

Alongside the professional competition, the Shenzhen Open includes an amateur division open to the public, giving local pickleball enthusiasts the chance to compete as part of an international event.

Players battle at the net during a mixed doubles match at the PPA Asia 500 Skechers Shenzhen Open 2026 in Shenzhen.

The tournament features men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. The knockout rounds run from Thursday through Friday, followed by the semifinals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday.

At the opening ceremony, Liu Wenbin, president of the Chinese Tennis Association, said pickleball is one of the fastest‑growing emerging sports worldwide. In China, the sport has developed rapidly in recent years, with tournaments expanding, the level of play rising and public interest growing.

"Shenzhen boasts extensive experience in hosting international events, well-established sports facilities, and professional market-oriented operations," said Liu. He added that hosting the tournament in Shenzhen would further promote sports exchanges and cooperation throughout the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

For Shenzhen native Long Yufei, the tournament has special significance. She used to travel all the way to Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, and other countries to compete, so finally having a professional event in her hometown feels both familiar and slightly unreal.

Over the three years she has been playing pickleball, she has taken part in about 20 tournaments. She is currently ranked No. 13 in the world in women’s singles. At this tournament, she will compete in both singles and doubles, and her family and friends will be at Bao’an Sports Center to cheer her on.

Chinese player Yi Mengyao competes in the women’s singles knockout round at the PPA Asia 500 Skechers Shenzhen Open 2026 at Shenzhen Bao’an Sports Center Gymnasium in Bao’an District.

Shenzhen has seen rapid growth in pickleball, with an increasing number of pickleball arenas. Events and classes have been introduced for international students at local universities such as Shenzhen University and Shenzhen Polytechnic. This September, a locally held Asia‑Pacific Youth Pickleball Competition will take place among young international pickleball enthusiasts.

"I'm really glad that everyone — no matter what age — can take part in this sport,” said Long. “I also think university-based activities can help more people learn about pickleball because young people on campus have a strong online presence. That can greatly increase the sport’s visibility and reach on social media.”