Venise Chan Wing-yau has said that Hong Kong’s recent march to the Pickleball World Cup final in the United States was another step towards Asian talent ruling the sport.
Former city tennis No 1 Chan has been one of the pioneers of pickleball’s growth in Hong Kong after she was introduced to the sport at her 2019 wedding by friend and professional player Irina Tereschenko.
Chan, 36, won on her competition debut in Thailand the following year, and in 2021 was tournament director for the inaugural Hong Kong Pickleball Open.
Chan, who this year launched her Asia Aces Pickleball Academy in Wong Chuk Hang, said she had anticipated the unfolding pickleball boom in Hong Kong, having seen how it was growing in the US.
Celebrities including Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio and eight-time grand slam tennis champion Andre Agassi are among those who have helped popularise the sport.
“Land is expensive in Hong Kong and pickleball courts are small,” Chan said. “Padel is also popular but courts cost more to construct. Pickleball is good socially, it’s easy to learn and it’s the sport that’s rising.”
