The recently concluded Delhi Open, held at the DDA Squash & Badminton Stadium in Siri Fort, has formally closed, but its impact will be looked back on many years from now. That’s because the Delhi Open established itself as a defining moment for pickleball in India as it drew over 500 registered players—making the tournament one of the largest ever organised in the country.
From its opening moments to its final matches, the Delhi Open gave more than just topnotch competition—it also carried the promise of recognition, opportunity, and growth.
“Delhi Open in Delhi promises to be the event to look forward to, to be a scene at, and to play,” said cricket legend and Dilli Dillwale co-owner Sunil Gavaskar. “For the players, it’s a wonderful opportunity to not only showcase their skill, their talent, their discipline, their dedication, but also to make a name for themselves so that they can go higher up in the rankings with other pickleball tournaments.”
A Platform for Players, a Beacon for Growth
Ankiti Bose, co-owner of Dilli Dillwale, emphasised that the unprecedented turnout is a clear signal of pickleball’s surging popularity in India.
“The Delhi Open reflects the massive appetite for pickleball we’re witnessing in India,” she said, pointing to increasing demand and the need for credible platforms to harness talent, obtain sponsorship and gain international recognition.
The Delhi Open was also a watershed moment for Gavaskar’s Dilli Dillwale, the WPBL franchise based in the capital. With its co-owners deeply involved in the tournament, the club has not only backed its own team but also used the event to foster emerging talent. Several standout players are now tipped for potential selection to the team’s developmental programme—a move that strengthens the bridge between grassroots and pro-level pickleball.
Indeed, the Delhi Open wasn’t just about the top-tier draws. Amateur matches thronged communities, while the 50+ category underscored pickleball’s inclusivity. Indeed, for many attendees, the Delhi Open served as more than a competition: It was a launching pad towards higher levels of performance and stature.
A Defining Moment in India’s Sporting Landscape
In its unfolding, the Delhi Open shattered participation records and highlighted Dilli Dillwale as a symbol of Delhi’s growing role in India’s pickleball movement. As the tournament wound down, one thing became abundantly clear: The Delhi Open was not merely another event—it was a turning point that unequivocally raised the benchmark for what a pickleball event in India can be.
