Episode 2 — Four Countries, One Month — Competition, Surf & the Reality of the Pro Pickleball Tour
February may be the shortest month of the year — but for us, it felt like an entire season packed into four countries.
From the final stretch of competition in Mumbai to tournament battles in Malaysia, a surf reset in Sri Lanka, and a return to Japan, this month captured the full reality of the pro pickleball lifestyle: heartbreak, growth, exhaustion, friendship, and unforgettable travel moments.
Here’s what February looked like on the global tour.
Where in the World — February Snapshot
Countries Visited: India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Japan
Primary Competition Stops: Mumbai & Kuala Lumpur
Biggest Lesson: Team chemistry and timing matter as much as talent
Best Reset Moment: Sunrise surf sessions in Sri Lanka
Closing Out Mumbai — A Tough Team Finish
February began with the final stretch of three intense weeks competing in Mumbai.
This part of the season was heartbreaking for our team. Despite a strong roster and high-level play across the board, we didn’t make the semifinals. Team events are always uniquely challenging — success depends on every pairing aligning at the right moment, and unfortunately, ours never fully clicked during a single matchup.
As the two retained players from last year, we felt an added sense of responsibility. Not being able to push the team through was tough.
One bright spot? Our mixed doubles line. We played some of our best pickleball together — great energy, strong connection, and confident execution. That performance became something we carried forward into the rest of the month.
Kuala Lumpur — Heat, Humidity & High-Level Play
On February 9th, we flew from Mumbai to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
For this stretch, we were joined by:
- My doubles partner Domi from Croatia
- Pickleball influencer and travel friend Tanner Tomassi
It was my first time in Malaysia, and stepping off the plane felt refreshing — greener landscapes, fresher air, and food that felt comforting after weeks on the road.
Despite landing at 8 a.m., we competed that same day in the Round of 32. Exhausting? Yes. But we advanced.
The tournament featured rising talent from across Asia, especially Vietnam, where the level of play is climbing rapidly. At one point, Brandon and I even faced Domi and Tanner — never easy playing friends you’re traveling the world with.
After advancing to the quarterfinals, we faced the #1 seeds from the U.S. We led 6–1 and held multiple game points, but ultimately fell 12–14, 8–11.
It stung — but it also confirmed something important: our level is there.
Since we don’t often compete together as a mixed team, this felt like a strong step forward in building our partnership.
One defining feature of Malaysia? The humidity. I don’t think I’ve ever sweated that much during competition.
Between matches, we managed to explore:
- The Petronas Towers
- Batu Caves
- Local temples
Even on tournament trips, we try to experience the place we’re in.
Sri Lanka — The Reset We Needed
On February 15th, we traveled to Sri Lanka for something equally important: rest.
Surfing is our favorite activity outside pickleball, and this stop gave us the mental reset we didn’t realize we needed.
After landing in Colombo, we drove south to Matara — a peaceful coastal area with incredible waves.
Our routine became simple:
- Breakfast at our now-daily café
- Morning surf sessions
- Local lunches
- Afternoon rest
- Sunset beach walks
- Early nights
And on the one day without swell? We went on an unforgettable elephant safari — seeing these incredible animals up close in the wild.
Moments like that remind us that this journey isn’t just about results. It’s about experiences.
Tokyo & Osaka — Growth on and off the Court
The final leg of February began on the 21st with a long journey to Tokyo — including a nine-hour layover in Delhi that turned into an unexpected highlight thanks to lunch with a close college friend.
Arriving in Tokyo felt familiar after last year’s visit. We:
- Walked miles every day
- Showed our friends around
- Explored temples
- Returned to Tsukiji Fish Market (still the freshest tuna sushi we’ve ever had)
One of the most rewarding moments was revisiting a pickleball venue where we previously taught clinics — and seeing it now fully booked every day.
The growth of pickleball globally continues to amaze us.
As we write this, we’re on the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka for one final sightseeing day before heading to Tsu City for our next tournament.
What This Month Taught Us On Court
- Team events demand alignment, not just talent
- Mixed doubles chemistry is something you build — and we’re building it
- Playing friends adds another emotional layer to competition
- Recovery is just as important as training
Why We Keep Going
Four countries in one month.
High-level competition. Tough losses. New cultures. Surf sessions. Long layovers. Bullet trains.
This is the reality of life on the pro pickleball tour — not always glamorous, often exhausting, but deeply rewarding.
Each stop reminds us why we do this:
- To compete at the highest level.
- To connect with people through sport.
- To watch pickleball grow around the world.
And February proved that growth is happening everywhere.
Follow the Journey
This is Episode 2 of EV-Everywhere: Life on the Pro Pickleball Tour.
Next stop: Tsu City.
More competition. More travel. More stories to share.
Stay tuned.