GLOBAL pickleball giant Franklin Sports has named the Philippines as the first stop for its Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase next month.
The Manila leg will be highlighted by an exclusive appearance by Franklin’s star athlete, Anna Leigh Waters, the undisputed world No. 1 player and most dominant athlete in
professional pickleball.
Local fans and the fast-growing Filipino pickleball community will get a rare opportunity to see ALW showcase her high-octane skills that has dominated the global tour in the October 13-15 Manila leg of the multi-nation showcase that will also hold stops in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Phenomenal pickleball growth
The selection of the Philippines as a primary destination reflects the country’s
emergence as a global phenomenon in racket sports.
With a staggering 1,213 percent year-over-year growth rate, the Philippines stands as the fastest-growing pickleball market in the world, topping Franklin Sports’ global expansion priorities.
"We are honored and excited to bring our Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase to the
Philippines," said Jared Franklin, Head of International at Franklin Sports. "The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing pickleball markets in the world, and we couldn’t be prouder to bring the No. 1 player in the world, Anna Leigh Waters, to Manila.”
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As an industry pioneer, Franklin Sports delivers premium equipment trusted by elite
global professionals that have won 105 medals on the PPA and APP Pro Tours, including Hayden Patriquin, Paris Todd, Will Howells, Jimmy Liong, Sofia Sewing, Casey Diamond, Megan Fudge, and Ryler DeHeart, among others.
During the Showcase, Filipino fans will get an up-close look at Franklin’s latest
innovations. The showcase directly follows ALW’s viral September 2 Instagram post in
front of her Times Square LED billboard in New York City, where she posed holding an
all-black paddle featuring a bold white graphic.
The mystery paddle serves as a global teaser for Franklin’s upcoming paddle launch
and was the paddle Anna Leigh Waters won Major League Pickleball (MLP) finals with.
Attendees will also see in action the legendary Franklin X-40 ball, universally regarded
as the global gold standard for the sport. Holding over 75% market share in North
America, the X-40 serves as the Official Ball of Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao’s
Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT), Franklin US Open Pickleball
Championships, the APP Tour, the Pickleball Slam, USA Pickleball, and over 1,000
additional tournaments worldwide.
Franklin also revealed plans to introduce an all-new, faster-playing ball endorsed by
ALW near the turn of the year called the X-44.
Filipino players can access Franklin’s full range of paddles, balls, bags, footwear, and
accessories nationwide through leading local retail partners, including Decathlon,
Toby’s Sports, Chris Sports, and Juego PH among several others.
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