Copyright timesnownews
Nitten Kirrtane, the former Indian tennis ace, scripted a remarkable new chapter in his sporting journey by winning the Gold medal in the 50+ Men’s Singles (5.0) category at the Pickleball World Cup 2025. The 51-year-old from Pune, who represented India in tennis for decades, has seamlessly transitioned to pickleball over the past four years and his triumph in Florida stands as a testament to his enduring passion and adaptability. Kirrtane, once the runner-up at the 1992 Wimbledon Boys’ Championships alongside Mahesh Bhupathi, showcased the same competitive fire that defined his tennis career. His gold medal performance reinforces his ability to evolve and excel, proving that true champions never retire. Taking to pickleball like a fish takes to water, Kirrtane’s journey from the lawns of Wimbledon to the courts of Florida is both poetic and inspiring. It’s a story of resilience, reinvention, and relentless love for sport, a reminder that greatness knows no age, no boundaries, and no limits. Before Kirrtane, Vijay Chhabria made history by clinching the nation’s first-ever medal, a gold, at the Pickleball World Cup. Indian squad for the Pickleball World Cup 2025: Open Category Men’s Singles: Aman Patel Women’s Singles: Amrita Mukherjee Men’s Doubles: Dhiren Patel and Suraj Desai Women’s Doubles: Rakshikha Ravi and Sindoor Mittal Under-16 Category Girls: Aayra Khanna and Anushka Chhabaria Boys: Veer Shah and Jeet Sood 50+ Category Men’s Doubles: Suryaveer Singh Bhullar and Nitten Kirtane Women’s Doubles: Bela Kotwani and Sujay Parekh About Indian Pickleball Association: The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). About Pickleball World Ranking: PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages. Stay connected with all the latest news on Pickleball, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, tips, and inspiration you won't find anywhere else. Your ultimate destination for all things pickleball – where the community comes together for news, views, and the sport that's sweeping the globe. Follow us at @pickleballnow on Instagram and be part of the community!
