Indian players delivered standout performances at the 2026 Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships, with Dhiren Patel winning gold and Naga Moksha Yerram securing bronze.
Dhiren Patel triumphed in the Men’s Singles 5.0 (40–49) category, defeating Juan Arraya in a thrilling three-game final. Patel won 11-9, 3-11, 11-9 on Court 25, holding his nerve in crucial moments to seal the title. Arraya settled for silver, while Alex Mabred claimed bronze.
In the women’s singles (12–29 age group), Naga Moksha Yerram earned a bronze medal, marking a promising performance and adding to India’s growing presence in international pickleball.
Arjun Singh, 15, emerged as another rising star. He captured the Men’s Singles 5.0 gold medal and paired with his elder brother Aditya Singh to win the Under-18 Boys Doubles title. The duo defeated top-seeded Americans Ryder Brown and Soli Messiri 11-1, 11-5 in the final. Arjun’s aggressive style and consistency have already earned him recognition as Men’s Pickleball Player of the Year 2025.
Indian Pickleball Association president Suryaveer Singh Bhullar praised the achievements, saying India’s young talent is beginning to dominate the global stage. The victories underline India’s rapid rise in pickleball, with players challenging established names from traditional strongholds like the United States.
