Vietnam's Top Pickleball Player Withdraws from MB Hanoi Cup
Phuc Huynh's Decision to Withdraw
Phuc Huynh, recognized as Vietnam's leading pickleball player, has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming MB Hanoi Cup. He shared his decision via a Facebook post on March 30, just days ahead of the PPA Tour Asia event. His absence is notable, considering his prominence as a local favorite and a top competitor in the region.
Huynh, who secured the third position in the inaugural PPA Tour Asia rankings, has had an impressive year, clinching gold medals at both the MB Vietnam Open and the MB Vietnam Cup in 2025. He also leads Vietnam's Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) with a score of 6.171. Recently, he showcased his skills with a commanding 11-3, 11-1 victory over Dac Thien Nguyen in the men's singles final at the 2026 Pickleball DJoy Petrolimex Cup, reinforcing his status ahead of the Hanoi competition.
In his statement, Huynh emphasized that his choice was not made lightly. He expressed, “After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to participate in this PPA Tour event. It was truly a difficult decision, but I chose to step back to uphold the values I believe are best for pickleball in Vietnam.”
One of Huynh's main concerns was the exclusivity rules tied to the tournament. He stated, “I have some reservations about the tournament’s exclusivity rules. At a time when our local movement needs connection and open exchange more than ever, restricting athletes to compete in only one system unintentionally creates unnecessary barriers.” He believes that the growth of pickleball relies on fostering an open community.
Huynh also raised issues regarding the competition structure, particularly his placement in the qualifiers despite his accomplishments. He noted, “I feel there is a lack of fairness and proper recognition. Despite being the only player to win two PPA tournaments in 2025 and currently ranked 17th globally, I am still required to play in the qualifiers, while some players without ranking points are directly placed into the main draw.”
While voicing his concerns, Huynh maintained a respectful tone, acknowledging the PPA Tour Asia's contributions to the sport's development in the region. He remarked, “I truly appreciate the effort PPA has made in bringing international tournaments to Asia and Vietnam. However, if meaningful changes are not made to better serve athletes’ experiences and the broader community, I will temporarily step away from PPA events for the time being.”
He concluded with optimism for future improvements, stating, “I believe sport should be based on freedom and fairness, rather than exclusivity or ownership over athletes. I hope that in the future, tournaments will focus more on professional standards and true fairness.” Huynh expressed his eagerness to compete in events where athletes' dedication is genuinely valued.
As the MB Hanoi Cup approaches, the absence of one of Vietnam's most celebrated players will undoubtedly leave a significant gap in the competition, despite his recent successes and reputation in Asian pickleball.