Malaga hosts first World Pickleball Championship Open

Malaga held its first pickleball international tournament at the weekend. Over 340 players competed from 27 different countries in the Malaga Open. The event was part of World Pickleball Championships circuit.

The event, held at the Martín Carpena arena, marked the first time the global tour has stopped in the province, and organisers have already secured a three-year deal to keep it in the city.

To host the competition, a major renovation was carried out on the basketball arena. Three retractable stands from the original four were removed. The main court was then replaced by nine pickleballs courts.

In dozens of matches, players competed in a sport which continues to grow in popularity in Asia and the United States.

Pickleball Europe and its local representative had a successful event. Gold medals went to Héctor Sánchez Vidal in men’s doubles 5.0, María Ruiz and Pepe Rondón in mixed doubles +60 3.5, Tomás Santiago in singles +19 3.5, Jesús Caste in singles +35 4.5, and Alejandro Pérez and Juan Tore in doubles +50 3.5.

María Costantino also won gold with Spain in the nations event, branded the Pickleball Champions League, the first tournament of its kind held in Europe.

Despite the scale of the event, attendance in the stands did not match the international line-up, reflecting pickleball’s relatively low profile in Andalucía compared with more established sports. Many of the spectators were family members of Spanish participants, Costa del Sol foreigners and curious observers.

Many players were surprised by the location. Overheard were players saying “I cannot believe I am playing on the same court as Rafa” referring to the tennis star’s farewell visit at the venue.

The tournament received backing from Malaga city council, the provincial authority, the Junta de Andalucía, Cervezas Victoria and Joma, underlining institutional support for a sport organisers describe as a long-term investment for the province.