Dhiren Patel secured the gold medal in the Men’s Singles 5.0 (40–49) category at the 2026 Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships, capping off a strong run with a hard-fought victory in the final.
Patel defeated Juan Arraya in a three-game contest, winning 11-9, 3-11, 11-9 on Court 25. The closely contested decider saw Patel hold his nerve in crucial moments to seal the title. Arraya finished with the silver medal, while Alex Mabred claimed bronze in the category.
In another notable result, Naga Moksha Yerram finished on the podium in the women’s singles (age 12–29) category, securing the bronze medal and marking a promising performance at the tournament.
Earlier, Arjun Singh secured the Men’s Singles 5.0 gold medal on April 12 after winning the Under-18 Boys Doubles title alongside his elder brother Aditya Singh.
The Indian duo defeated top-seeded American pair Ryder Brown and Soli Messiri 11-1, 11-5 in the final, underlining their growing stature in international junior pickleball.
Their triumph marks a significant step for Indian pickleball, with young players beginning to challenge and overcome established names from traditional powerhouses like the United States.
READ: Arjun Singh Clinches Men’s Singles 5.0 Title at the US Open Pickleball Championships
Reacting to the win, Indian Pickleball Association president Suryaveer Singh Bhullar had said, “My words have come true: the future of global pickleball dominance is India.”
Notably, Arjun Singh, the 15-year-old Indian pickleball prodigy, was named Men’s Pickleball Player of the Year 2025. The Mumbai-born teenager put up a stellar performance during the inaugural season of the IPBL after being picked by Bengaluru Blasters.
Arjun, known for his fast and aggressive style, also has the ability to control rallies and consistently execute attacking shots. Even before the IPBL, Arjun had burst into the spotlight by clinching the men’s singles title at the IPA Nationals in Bengaluru in November, while also winning the silver medal in the men’s doubles category. For a player still so young, such sustained excellence at the highest level cemented his potential in a sport where consistency is rare.
