Vietnam’s most accomplished tennis pro, Ly Hoang Nam, has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis. But he isn’t laying down the paddle just yet. Instead, he will be shifting his focus on pickleball.
Hoang Nam made the announcement after playing in a special pickleball exhibition match in Hanoi on 19 March 2025 with his doubles partner Trinh Linh Giang against a couple of well-known pickleball players. To those familiar with Hoang Nam, this move isn’t surprising anymore given how he’s been vocal about his passion for his new passion that is pickleball—something he tried initially out of curiosity.
“At first, I just wanted to see what made this sport interesting, but then I was hooked. Pickleball suits Vietnamese players well because it’s easy to pick up, and anyone can play,” said Hoang Nam, who is using a Kamito Alpha Pickleball paddle as the brand’s ambassador.
A Seamless Transition for Ly Hoang Nam
Hoang Nam’s transition has been seamless as well thanks to his vast experience as a tennis pro. With his agility, skills, quick reflexes, and physical endurance, the Vietnamese star has adjusted fairly well to the world’s fastest-rising sport.
The exhibition Hoang Nam played in expectedly drew a large crowd, proving yet again the Vietnamese icon’s massive star power in his home country. The well-attended event was also an indication of the growing popularity of pickleball in Vietnam, which hosted the Hoiana WPC Finals in January.
After the match, Hoang Nam interacted with the fans, giving autographs and taking selfies with them. While Hoang Nam has retired from professional tennis, he clarified that he isn’t closing his doors to future involvement in the sport. For now, though, he is focusing solely on pickleball as he shoots to become an international star in the mould of a Quang Duong.
