Vietnam's Ly Hoang Nam Tops Asian Pickleball Rankings

Ly Hoang Nam has made history by becoming the first Vietnamese player to achieve the No. 1 ranking in Asia for pickleball. His remarkable victory at the MB Hanoi Cup, where he defeated seasoned American player Christian Alshon, highlights Vietnam's rising prominence in the sport. With five players in the top 10, Vietnam is set to make a strong showing at the upcoming Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, where around 4,000 players from over 80 countries will compete. This article delves into Nam's journey and the growing influence of Vietnamese athletes in pickleball.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 6, 2026, 15:19 IST

Ly Hoang Nam Achieves No. 1 Ranking in Asia

Ly Hoang Nam, a promising talent from Vietnam, has reached the pinnacle of the Asian pickleball scene by securing the No. 1 position in the latest Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) rankings. His ascent to the top was marked by an impressive victory at the MB Hanoi Cup, where he triumphed over experienced American player Christian Alshon in the final.

This achievement underscores Vietnam's growing prominence in both Asian and global pickleball. Notably, the top three positions in the men's singles rankings for Asia are currently held by Vietnamese athletes. Following Nam, Phuc Huynh ranks second with a rating of 6.234, while Luc Pham is in third place with a rating of 6.145. Nam leads the pack with a rating of 6.267.

In total, Vietnam boasts five players within the top 10 rankings. Truong Hien, who caused a significant upset by defeating top seed Federico Staksrud in the semifinals of the Hanoi Cup, is positioned fifth with a rating of 6.062. Hoang Nguyen Viet rounds out the Vietnamese representation in the top 10, currently sitting in ninth place.

The remaining top 10 spots are occupied by Eric Roddy from the Philippines at No. 4, India's Armaan Bhatia at No. 6, Cheng En Tsai from Chinese Taipei at No. 7, and Thomas Yu from China, who completes the list at No. 10.

This marks a historic moment as it is the first time a Vietnamese player has claimed the top spot in the Asian rankings, highlighting the country's rapid rise in one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.

Nam, who previously held the title of Vietnam's top-ranked tennis player, is currently ranked 20th in the global DUPR standings. He gained international recognition after winning the boys' doubles title at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships alongside India's Sumit Nagal.

As the Pickleball World Cup approaches, scheduled to be held in Da Nang from August 30 to September 6, Vietnamese players are eager to showcase their skills on home turf. This third edition of the tournament is expected to attract around 4,000 participants from over 80 countries and territories. With a robust team and the advantage of local support, Vietnam is poised to make a significant impact in the competition.