Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026: Hoang Nam Ly’s Excellence Among Tourney’s Biggest Stories
Among the highlights of the Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026, at least for the hometown crowd, was the Men’s Open Singles finale between two Vietnamese superstars: Hoang Nam Ly and Phuc Huynh. In front of a lively home crowd, Ly showed grit and composure, overturning a shaky start to secure a 2‑1 victory (6‑15, 16‑14, 15‑10) on 6 September.
Huynh had raced through the opening game, punishing Nam with relentless pace and precision. But the second set flipped the script. Hoang Nam Ly dug deep, saving multiple points and edging a tense 16‑14 finish to level the match. The decider was no less dramatic: trailing 5‑8, Nam strung together six straight points to seize control, then closed out the contest 15‑10 after creating multiple championship points.
That all-Vietnam final itself was symbolic. Two of Vietnam’s finest singles players, who have traded blows in high‑level finals throughout 2025 and 2026, met again on the biggest stage yet. This time, Ly prevailed, but the rivalry remains one of the sport’s most compelling storylines in Asia.
Hoang Nam Ly Narrowly Misses Out on Triple Crown
Ly’s triumph in Men’s Singles was just part of a marathon week. He reached four finals in total, underscoring his stature as Vietnam’s talisman. In fact, he was uniquely positioned to pull off the Triple Crown right at the Heineken Pickleball World Cup, having made the final in Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles as well.
Partnering Roos Van Reek of the Netherlands, Hoang Nam Ly finished runner‑up in Mixed Doubles after falling to Jack Munro and Nicola Schoeman. In Men’s Doubles, Ly and Nguyen Anh Gia Huy (Robert Huy) produced a stirring comeback in the semifinals but ultimately lost to Munro and Richard Livornese Jr. in the final.
Then, in the national team event, Hoang Nam Ly helped Vietnam to silver, with the USA proving too strong in a 4‑0 sweep.
Vietnam’s Wider Success in a Landmark Tournament
While Ly collected one gold and three silvers, Vietnam’s broader contingent excelled in amateur and age‑group divisions, topping the medal table in those categories. The Pro and national team events, however, highlighted the depth of international competition, with the USA, Brazil, and other nations making their mark.
The Heineken Pickleball World Cup itself was historic. Staged from 30 August to 6 September, it brought nearly 5,000 athletes from more than 80 countries to Da Nang—the first time Asia has hosted pickleball’s premier global event. For Vietnam, having one of their own crowned singles champion on home soil was a moment of pride and proof of the country’s growing influence in the sport.
Hoang Nam Ly’s golden run may have fallen short of a multi‑title sweep, but his resilience and consistency across four finals captured the spirit of the tournament. For Vietnam, his victory was more than a medal—it was a statement that they belong at the very heart of pickleball’s global conversation.
