Newsmakers

Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh secured India’s first gold medal at the US Open Pickleball Championship 2026 by defeating top seeds Ryder Brown and Soli Messiri in straight sets in the U-18 boys’ doubles final in Naples.

The Indian duo defeated top-seeded American pair Ryder Brown and Soli Messiri 11-1, 11-5 in the final, underlining their growing stature in international junior pickleball.

Their triumph marks a significant step for Indian pickleball, with young players beginning to challenge and overcome established names from traditional powerhouses like the United States.

Reacting to the win, Indian Pickleball Association president Suryaveer Singh Bhullar said, “My words have come true: the future of global pickleball domination is India."

"This is extremely special for us; achieving this together is something that we and our family will cherish for a long time. We have worked very hard to make this happen and thank everyone who have supported us from back home. Most importantly, we are really grateful to the Maharashtra Pickleball Association and the Indian Pickleball Association for this opportunity,” Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh said after winning gold.

The Indian contingent in the U-18 boys' doubles featured three pairings - Arjun Singh/Aditya Singh, Jeet Sood/Yuvraj Singh, and Panth Thakkar/Atharva Sheth - and were considered underdogs due to their first-time participation at the tournament.

Panth Thakkar and Atharva Sheth impressed with a top-eight finish before losing to eventual champions Arjun and Aditya, while Jeet Sood and Yuvraj Singh exited in the round of 32.

In the women’s singles category, Naga Moksha added to India’s tally by winning a bronze medal after a closely contested match.

Backed by the IPA, the Indian contingent had earlier received direct entry into the US Open following a partnership between the national federation and the organisers, marking a significant step forward for the sport in the country.

The 2026 edition marks India’s first participation at the US Open Pickleball Championship.