Hyderabad’s Vivek Reddy wins a gold and a bronze at Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026

Hyderabad’s Vivek Reddy Priyadarshini won a gold medal at the ongoing Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 in Da Nang, Vietnam. Vivek emerged victorious in the 40+ men’s singles category after defeating Vietnam’s No. 1 player Hoang Nguyen in a fiercely contested three-set final.

The match, held at the Tuyen Son Sports Center in Da Nang, lasted over 45 minutes, with Vivek winning 15-12, 9-15, 15-11.

Speaking about his achievement, Vivek said, “It is an incredibly proud moment to represent India on a global stage and win gold for the country. Pickleball is growing at an incredible pace in India, and I hope achievements like this encourage more Indians, especially youngsters, to take up the sport and compete at an international level.”

Vivek and Sreekar bag a bronze

Adding to India’s medal tally, Vivek also secured a bronze medal in the 40+ men’s doubles category, partnering fellow Hyderabadi Sreekar Mothukuri.

Vivek Reddy and Sreekar Mothukuri defeated Alexis Petiprez of France and Rodrigo Hernandez of Chile 21-19 in the third-place match at the Truong Son Pickleball facility

The duo defeated Alexis Petiprez of France and Rodrigo Hernandez of Chile 21-19 in the third-place match at the Truong Son Pickleball facility.

The Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026, being held from August 30 to September 6, has brought together more than 4,900 athletes from over 80 countries and territories, marking the first time the prestigious tournament has been hosted in Asia. The tournament carries a total prize pool of $500,000.

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By winning two medals, a gold and a bronze, Vivek Reddy has made a significant contribution to India’s growing medal tally at the World Cup and put Hyderabad firmly in the spotlight on the international pickleball stage.

Vivek Reddy’s achievement is particularly significant as pickleball continues to witness a remarkable rise in popularity across India. A former national-level tennis player, Vivek transitioned to pickleball and has now established himself as a national-level player in the rapidly growing sport.

As pickleball gains momentum across India, achievements such as Vivek’s signal the country’s growing potential in the sport and mark an exciting new chapter for Indian athletes competing globally.