Looking Back at What Happened at Last Year’s Panas Malaysia Open Ahead of the Panas Kuala Lumpur Open 2026

The Panas Kuala Lumpur is about to unfurl, but before it does, let’s first take a trip down memory lane on the first time the PPA Tour Asia set foot in Malaysia. Yes, we’re talking about the Panas Malaysia open, which took place in July 2025.

The Panas Malaysia Open 2025 marked the inaugural stop of the PPA Asia Tour, bringing world-class pickleball to Kuala Lumpur for the very first time. While the event wasn’t the smoothest in terms of organization, the competition more than made up for it—delivering unforgettable battles, breakout performances, and a glimpse of Asia’s rising talent. It wasn’t perfect, but it laid the groundwork of an Asian tour that’s getting better and better.

Highlights of the Panas Malaysia Open

• Pini Lee: The Quiet Triple Crown Queen Away from the show courts, Pini Lee quietly dominated the seniors’ division, winning three golds—ladies’ 50+ singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Already Asia’s undisputed No. 1 in the 50+ category, she proved once again why she’s an inspiration and a force across generations.
• Men’s Singles Epic: Giang Trinh vs. Hong Kit Wong The semifinal clash between Vietnam’s Giang Trinh and Hong Kong’s Hong Kit Wong was one for the ages. Eschewing raw power for finesse and placement, both players pushed each other to exhaustion before Trinh prevailed, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7. He went on to defeat India’s Vanshik Kapadia in the final, becoming Vietnam’s first PPA Asia men’s singles champion.
• Women’s Singles: Yufei Long’s Gutsy Comeback Facing championship point against Australia’s Nicola Schoeman, Yufei Long dug deep to stage a stunning turnaround. From 10-8 down, she clawed back to force a decider and ultimately clinched gold—a testament to her resilience and mental strength.
• Malaysia’s Own Jimmy Liong Local fans had reason to cheer as Jimmy Liong reached the men’s singles semifinals, proving he can now hang with Asia’s elite. His father added to the family’s success by winning bronze in the men’s over-50 singles, underscoring Malaysia’s growing presence on the PPA stage.
• Other Champions
  • Men’s Doubles: Vanshik Kapadia & Harsh Mehta
  • Women’s Doubles: Jamie Wei & Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall
  • Mixed Doubles: Kapadia & Schoeman

The Panas Malaysia Open Wasn’t Perfect By All Means

The Panas Malaysia Open 2025 was historic as the PPA’s first event in Asia—but for many Malaysian amateurs, it left more scars than smiles. While the pros delivered thrilling matches, the grassroots players who paid steep entry fees walked away feeling exploited rather than embraced.

Where It Went Wrong

• Communication Breakdown: Players reported unanswered emails, duplicate DUPR accounts created without consent, and last-minute schedule changes that left some waiting hours between matches.
• Category Confusion: With entry fees topping RM400 per person, many expected fair competition. Instead, divisions were merged, forcing intermediate players to face Asia’s elite—sometimes resulting in just two matches for the entire fee.
• Referee Standards: Local referees were charged USD $200 for mandatory training, then paid just USD $50 per day for 12-hour shifts. Worse, officiating was inconsistent, with referees admitting they were “here to facilitate, not referee.”
• Player Welfare: No showers, poor ventilation, and long waits in Malaysia’s tropical heat left players drained. Reports even surfaced of pro finalists needing hospital drips for rehydration.

The Money Grab Perception

From high fees with little value-added (no goodie bags, limited access to pro matches) to amateur players barred from grandstand seating unless they bought extra tickets, the event felt more like a cash machine than a community celebration.

Kuala Lumpur Awaits

As the Panas Kuala Lumpur Open begins tomorrow, the echoes of last year’s battles set the stage. Expect sharper organization, fiercer competition, and perhaps new names ready to etch themselves into Asia’s pickleball story. If the Malaysia Open was the launchpad, Kuala Lumpur could be the breakthrough.