Vietnam’s top pickleball player Phuc Huynh confirmed he would not compete at the upcoming MB Hanoi Cup in Vietnam, revealing his reasons in a Facebook post on March 30. The announcement came just days before the PPA Tour Asia event, with Huynh’s absence drawing attention given his stature as one of the region’s leading players and a hometown favorite.
Huynh, who finished no. 3 in the inaugural PPA Tour Asia rankings, had enjoyed a strong run over the past year. He won gold at both the MB Vietnam Open and the MB Vietnam Cup in 2025 and also topped Vietnam’s latest Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) standings with a rating of 6.171.
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The Vietnamese star had recently continued his form with a dominant 11-3, 11-1 win over Dac Thien Nguyen in a men’s singles final at the season-opening leg of the 2026 Pickleball DJoy Petrolimex Cup, further underlining his credentials ahead of the Hanoi event.
Explaining his decision, Huynh said it was not taken lightly.
“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,” he wrote in the Facebook post.
A key concern for Huynh was the exclusivity rules associated with the tournament.
“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 added. “Pickleball can only grow if we build a community that is open and without boundaries.”
Huynh also questioned the fairness of the competition structure, particularly his placement in the qualifiers despite his achievements. “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,” he wrote. “While some players without ranking points are directly placed into the main draw.”
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While raising concerns, Huynh maintained a balanced tone and acknowledged the role played by the PPA Tour Asia in developing the sport in the region.
“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 stated.
He concluded by expressing hope for improvement and a return in the future. “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 wrote.
He added that he looked forward to competing in events “where our dedication is properly valued.”
For now, the MB Hanoi Cup will proceed without one of Vietnam’s most prominent players, leaving a significant void in the field despite his strong recent form and standing in Asian pickleball.
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(Written by Evince Das)
