JOOLA’s recent Global Tour of Asia was nothing short of inspiring—an electrifying celebration of pickleball that brought together legendary athletes, passionate fans, and unforgettable matchups. Dream pairings like Andre Agassi teaming up with Ben Johns, Tyson McGuffin sharing the court with Anna Bright, and even tennis legend Steffi Graf playing doubles with partner and fellow Agassi signature athlete, Brooke Buckner. 

“JOOLA has been coming to China for a very long time for the sport of table tennis,” said Richard Lee, CEO and Owner of JOOLA, “Now we’re here to present a new sport to the world. It’s great that we can bring so many of the American stars here so they can see how pickleball is growing in Asia and it gives our athletes an opportunity to experience their culture.”

At every stop on the tour, JOOLA pros were greeted by throngs of enthusiastic crowds gathered for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet their pickleball heroes in person. 

“The thing I really underestimated was how quickly pickleball’s growth would happen,” said Connor Pardoe, CEO of the PPA. “Seeing how many people care about these professional players in a place that’s very far away from where the sport is being played professionally has been surreal."

The tour lineup boasted an all-star roster, including Andre Agassi, Anna Bright, Brooke Buckner, Steffi Graf, Ben Johns, Collin Johns, Tyson McGuffin, and rising star Zoey Wang.

Athletes participated in a dynamic mix of programming, and were awarded 1 point for each competition victory—highlighted by skills challenges, mixed doubles showdowns, and one-on-one paddle battles featuring dream matchups that fans could only imagine. Teams were split in to either Team Agassi and Team Ben Johns on the first two stop of the tour and finally Team Agassi vs Team Graf on the final stop.


JOOLA’s Asia tour wasn’t just an exhibition—it was an immersive experience, bringing fans closer than ever to the sport and the world's top players. Attendees didn’t just watch from the sidelines; they had the opportunity to win exclusive prizes, get autographs, and interact directly with JOOLA pros and Agassi signature athletes.

First Stop

Ho Chi Minh (March 25-26)
Rach Mieu Sports Complex

After traveling thousands of miles across the ocean, JOOLA's team of pros arrived ready to kick things off in style—and the 1,500 spectators at the Rach Mieu Sports Complex did not disappoint.

Each stop on the tour featured an exhibition that followed a structured format, beginning with a team skills challenge. One point was awarded for each event, all of which had creative names tied to key pickleball techniques: DINK ’til You Drop, DRIVE It Home, Rock LOBster, and It’s Your SERVE.

After the skills challenge, players competed in rotating doubles matches, also worth one point each. From there, the action shifted to the much-anticipated paddle battles.

The first head-to-head match in Ho Chi Minh featured Scorpeus (Anna Bright) versus Agassi (Brooke Buckner), followed by a high-energy showdown between two of the sport's top men’s players—Perseus (Ben Johns) and Magnus (Tyson McGuffin).

Exhibitions concluded with a mixed doubles challenge. On Day 1, Andre Agassi and Brooke Buckner faced off against the Scorpeus duo, Collin Johns and Anna Bright. The final match of the evening saw Tyson and Zoey Wang go head-to-head with Ben Johns and Rachel Rettger.

The night’s festivities wrapped up with the announcement of the winning team, team Agassi, and a trophy presentation. Outside of competition, players also had the opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of Ho Chi Minh City during a guided tour.

Next Stop

Hanoi (March 27)
Gia Lam Stadium

By this point in the tour, JOOLA’s signature athletes had fully adjusted and were energized by the opportunity to perform in front of another passionate, high-energy crowd.

Once again, a full house of 1,500 spectators packed the venue in Hanoi. Following the same event format as the previous stop, JOOLA’s pros thrilled the audience—but this time, it was Team Ben Johns who emerged victorious, taking home the trophy.

To cap off the evening, players were treated to a Gala Dinner at the Fortuna Hanoi Hotel.

A Fitting End

Shanghai (March 29)
Shanghai Jingwu Gymnasium

Steffi Graf joined the tour in Shanghai, bringing her legendary skills to the court, much to the delight of the crowd. She showcased several of her iconic moves, and helped Team Graf clinch the win!

The event drew 1,577 spectators, including several notable guests such as Olympic gymnastics champion Li Xiaopeng and Special Olympics tennis champion Huang Xufeng.

Richard Lee also joined the action in China, teaming up with the man who helped launch JOOLA Pickleball—Ben Johns.

Just the Beginning

To call the JOOLA 2025 Legends Tour anything less than a complete success would be a serious understatement. As a trailblazer in the world of pickleball, JOOLA identified an underserved market in Asia and brought the world’s fastest-growing sport to the people—and they embraced it wholeheartedly.

The atmosphere was electric at every stop: packed stadiums, enthusiastic fans eager for autographs, and the chance to meet their favorite pros in person. Beyond the competition, JOOLA’s signature athletes had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultures of Vietnam and China, proudly serving as global ambassadors for the sport.

It was pickleball perfection.

A Special Thanks You To Our Sponsor

Brining JOOLA to Vietnam and China wouldn't have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our title sponsors. 

Vietnam: VPO, Pili Dr. Harimoon Group, PPA Asia, UPA Asia, MLP and HTPF.

China: 上海广播电视台五星体育 SMG Great Sports, 久事体育 Juss Sports, UPA Asia, PPA Pickleball Tour Asia, LYNK & CO, Dingcox顶酷,菁活,申之禾 Shen Zhi He, ORIS, 红宝石 Ruby and 美华沃徳医疗 Am-Sino Healthcare.

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