India’s Armaan Bhatia Makes History as First Indian to Sign with PPA Tour, MLP
India’s Armaan Bhatia made history recently as he signed a contract with the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). In doing so, he became the first Indian national to achieve such a landmark feat.
“History Made! Armaan Bhatia becomes the first Indian national to sign with both the PPA Tour and MLP,” the PPA Tour and MLP said in an official announcement of Bhatia’s landmark signing.
Bhatia has consistently dominated tournaments in his home country, even accomplishing a Triple Crown—gold in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles—in the PWR DUPR India Masters 2024 held at the DLTA stadium in New Delhi. He has also shown he can compete against the world’s top picklers in international events held here in Asia.
Just a few weeks ago, in fact, Bhatia won a gold medal in APP Tour’s Newport Beach Open by besting Poland’s Patrick Kawka in the final. His win in the Newport Beach Open gave him back-to-back titles, as he also topped the New York City Open in May, where he became the first Indian pickler to win an APP Tour title when he defeated the highly touted Alex Crum, 15-10, 27-25, in a massive upset.
This signing is no doubt an indication that Bhatia’s immense talent is being recognised by the top movers of the sport as as the PPA Tour and MLP are widely regarded as the top level of pickleball. The creme dela creme of the sport play here, and Bhatia being included in their roster underscores his continuing rise into the upper echelons of the sport. It is also no doubt a massive boost to the Indian pickleball landscape, particularly the young players, as Bhatia making it to the big leagues can serve as an inspiration to many.
Armaan Bhatia Gets Wildcard in Hong Kong Open 2025
On the heels of making history, Armaan Bhatia earned for himself a wildcard in the upcoming Hong Kong Open 2025, set to take place from 21 to 24 August 2025 at the Kai Tak Arena.
The Hong Kong Open 2025 will be Bhatia’s debut on the PPA Tour Asia, where he will team up with Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall of the US in mixed doubles. Wang-Beckvall previously won gold at women’s doubles in the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025, where she teamed up with Chinese Taipei’s Jamie Wei. They beat China’s Yufei Long and Japan’s Kwon Mihae for the championship.
Incidentally, Armaan’s brother, Aryaan, will also be competing at the Hong Kong Open 2025 but at men’s singles. Other Indian players playing in Hong Kong will be Naimi Mehta, who will team up with Australia’s George Wall in mixed doubles, and Harsh Mehta, who will pair up with Australia’s Mitchell Hargreaves in men’s doubles.
