Gold For Hyderabad's Vivek At Pickleball World Cup Held In Vietnam

Vivek emerged victorious in the 40+ Men’s Singles category, defeating Vietnam’s No. 1 player Hoang Nguyen 15-12, 9-15, 15-11 in 45 minutes at the Tuyen Son Sports Center.

Adding to India’s medal tally, Vivek also secured a bronze medal in the 40+ Men’s Doubles category, partnering fellow Hyderabadi Sreekar Mothukuri. The duo defeated France’s Alexis Petiprez & Chile’s Rodrigo Hernandez 21-19 in the third-place playoff at the Truong Son facility.

The Pickleball World Cup has brought together more than 4,900 athletes from over 80 countries and territories, marking the first time the tournament has been hosted in Asia. The tournament carries a total prize pool of $500,000.

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

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.”