ahm NPL '26 Pro Tour - Round 1 Recap

April 25, 2026  ·  NSW · VIC · QLD  ·  12 Matches

The season is here. Twelve matches across three states, and not one of them was straightforward. Comebacks, upsets, unbeaten starts, and a QLD conference so tight it barely breathes. Here's how Round 1 went down.

Victoria 

The Roos are flying

Two wins from two, and both went the distance — decided in a fifth-set mixed doubles. When it mattered most, Sahil Dang and Kat came up with the goods. Right now, they're a level above.

The Kats are back

Valos and Westbury picked up exactly where they left off. Dominating in doubles, sharp in singles. The Adders are a genuine contender, and they announced it in Round 1.

The Draft Bolter

Ethan Chung was the story of the day. Drafted on faith by his captain, he repaid it in full — 8-0 against Tim K, 8-5 against Dan Kouznetsov, and undefeated in the gendered draws. A massive debut.

Matt K, comeback king

Down 0-8 against the best player in the state. What followed was one of the great NPL moments — Matt somehow dragged it back, outlasting former teammate Sahil Dang 16-14 in a set that will be talked about for a long time.

29ers woes

With captain Isabelle Papazyan injured, the 29ers couldn't generate momentum despite valiant efforts from Nives Baric and Dan Kouznetsov. A tough start — but the season is long.

New South Wales  

4 from 4 — decided in the mixed

NSW delivered drama in every single match. All four games went to a fifth set. The format is doing its job: nothing is settled until the mixed doubles is done.

Heat remain undefeated in NPL

Selina and the Heat are still standing after more than a year without a loss. But the margins are tighter now — the days of rolling through 4-0 are gone. The competition has caught up. Selina was the difference in the mixed both times, but the Heat will be tested harder from here.

Must Watch Round 2: the Stingers vs Dinkers

Both teams are strong in the men's draw and both are level on points. Round 2 shapes as the match of the round in NSW. Dominant men's pickleball — and it's anyone's.

Comets building

Without first pick Matt Barton, it was always going to be a tough opener. The pieces are there. Expect the Comets to grow into the season.

Queensland

The most even start we've seen

All four teams finished on 4 points and 1-1 after two rounds. The Opals lead on point differential, but this conference is genuinely anyone's. QLD is must-watch pickleball right now.

Nicola Schoeman — just doing Nicola things

The world's number one junior, back in NPL with Crystal alongside her. The Opals should have gone 2-0 — a mixed doubles loss in Round 2 cost them. They'll be back.

Outback narrowly miss the perfect start

Harry Brown and star female Katy Hart were excellent all day. Some great singles fightbacks from the Outback squad, but an upset in the last match of the day derailed what could have been a perfect round. Still — a team to watch.

The Reef can be a force

They will live and die by the big NZ power hitters and how Tayah Cross shows up. When it clicks, they're dangerous. Round 1 showed both sides of that.

The format delivered

Three of four QLD matches went to a deciding mixed doubles. Fast-paced, high-stakes, can't-miss pickleball — with a faster beat than anything we've seen in the competition before.

Results & Standings

Round 1 Results

Round 2 Results

Standings After Round 1

View full results and live standings on LADER →

Watch the Round 1 Recap

The Round 1 recap is live on Instagram. Every state, every storyline, all the moments that mattered from Saturday  -  straight from the court.

Watch the Round 1 Recap on Instagram →

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Thank You to Our Partners

Round 1 wouldn't happen without the people backing this competition.

• Title Sponsor: ahm Health Insurance

• Official Airline: Vietjet

• Official Wine: Squealing Pig

• Official Seltzer & RTD Vodka: South Ave

• Official Ball: Franklin

• Official Net: Joola

• Official Court: Laykold (APT Asia Pacific)

• Official Rating System: DUPR