Did I Just Cheat Ben Johns to Pull Off the Biggest Upset in PPA Asia History?!

The PPA Vietnam Cup: A Record-Breaking Event

Did I just cheat Ben Johns to pull off the biggest upset in PPA Asia History?! This past weekend in Da Nang, Vietnam, the pickleball world turned its eyes to the PPA Vietnam Cup. We saw a world record attendance, and the Vietnamese fans exhibited some of the most intense passion I've ever witnessed! Let's dive into the huge upset win over Ben and Dekel, the controversial call to end it, and everything else that happened.

The Craze in Vietnam

We were in Malaysia last weekend and heard all about how wild Vietnam was going to be. People said that attendance would be through the roof. I’ve heard claims like that before, so I was skeptical. We arrived in Vietnam on Monday, had the opening ceremony on Tuesday, and, honestly, it was impressive. A couple of thousand people attended—more than I expected, but far from those lofty claims.

The Matches Begin

The tournament kicked off with some notable matches:

- Thomas Yu beat Armaan Bhatia in three games and gave one of the most amusing interviews I've ever seen.

- Ben Johns and Dekel Bar made their first team appearance in years, taking down Hien Truong and Quan Do convincingly.

Dramatic Thursday and Friday

As the week wore on, the drama ramped up:

- Hoang Nam Ly faced off Hien Truong; a match full of passion and controversy erupted.

- In mixed doubles, Tyson and Zoey triumphed over Danni Townsend and me.

- The local Vietnamese players had tremendous support, a real testament to their fans' passion.

The Upset Story

Finally, it was time for men’s doubles. Armaan and I faced Ben Johns and Dekel Bar in what became an unforgettable match. The experts said Dekel's injuries were a factor, but the wins we scored against Dekel on the left-handed court were a testament to our strategy. The heartfelt backs and forths, controversial ending, our unexpected victory—each moment added to one of the greatest experiences of my pickleball career.

From the Baseline to Victory Lane

The match ended with a heated protest, and let’s just say the video evidence turned out to be our best ally. On another note, this victory was not just an upset for the records but a celebration, and it was a pleasure seeing how much it meant to people in India. Our Armaan Bhatia is truly a rising star!

Wrapping Up the Tournament

Despite the chaotic start, Vietnam delivered an enthralling tournament:

- Danni Townsend and I stole the bronze in mixed doubles.

- The arena filled up impressively by the end of the weekend.

- Phuc Huynh topped off victories, spurring celebrations as a national icon.

Vietnam was a mind-boggling experience, demonstrating not only the fans' passion but also the indelible stamp pickleball is leaving on the world. If you enjoyed this recap, subscribe to stay updated on my takeaways from the Asia trip. My biggest takeaway? Pickleball is here to stay.