No Phuc Huynh at MB Hanoi Cup: Find Out Why from the Vietnamese Star Himself
The MB Hanoi Cup is at hand, but there will be one notable name missing from the field: Vietnam’s very own, Phuc Huynh.
Phuc Huynh, of course, is among Asia’s very best, netting several podium finishes in the inaugural season of the PPA Tour Asia. He also ended up ranked No. 3 in the tour’s first-ever end-of-season rankings. Huynh also won gold in the two tournaments held in Vietnam last year: the MB Vietnam Open and the MB Vietnam Cup.
So, why is Phuc Huynh not playing in the MB Hanoi Cup anyway?
Phuc Huynh Addresses Issue
On Monday, Phuc Huynh himself addressed his absence from the tournament in his hometown in a lengthy post on Facebook. According to the Vietnamese star, it was his decision not to compete in the MB Hanoi Cup, and he arrived at this choice due to a confluence of factors, notably apprehensions about the PPA’s exclusivity, a lack of fairness, and the need for improvement and overall development.
“After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to participate in this PPA Tour event. It was truly a difficult decision, but I chose to step back in order to uphold the values I believe are best for pickleball in Vietnam. I have some reservations about the tournament’s exclusivity rules,” Huynh wrote. “At a time when our local movement needs connection and open exchange more than ever, restricting athletes to compete in only one system unintentionally creates unnecessary barriers. Pickleball can only grow if we build a community that is open and without boundaries.”
Phuc Huynh then outlined his disappointment at having to go through qualifiers, noting how it is unfair for someone who has made his mark in the inaugural PPA Tour Asia.
“In addition, I was hoping to see more meaningful improvements in the professional organisation of the event. Personally, facing any opponent is always a valuable opportunity to learn and improve,” he added. “However, I feel there is a lack of fairness and proper recognition. Despite being the only player to win two PPA tournaments in 2025 and currently ranked 17th globally, I am still required to play in the qualifiers, while some players without ranking points are directly placed into the main draw.”
Phuc Huynh Walks on Eggshells
While the Vietnamese pro essentially slammed the PPA Tour Asia’s practices, he was still diplomatic in his approach, explaining his thoughts in detail and pining for “positive improvements” moving forward.
“I believe sport should be based on freedom and fairness, rather than exclusivity or ownership over athletes. I hope that in the future, tournaments will focus more on professional standards and true fairness, instead of prioritising restrictive conditions that limit the community’s overall development,” Huynh wrote further. “I truly appreciate the effort PPA has made in bringing international tournaments to Asia and Vietnam. However, if meaningful changes are not made to better serve athletes’ experiences and the broader community, I will temporarily step away from PPA events for the time being.”
Huynh ended by affirming his belief that the PPA “will make positive improvements so we can once again give our all on the court” and that he is looking forward “to seeing you at other events, where our dedication is properly valued.”
Whether Phuc Huynh will compete in other PPA Tour Asia is yet unclear. What’s certain for now is Vietnam will not be seeing one of its stars.
