The Globetrotter Bringing Pickleball to the World Stage
An Unstoppable Force Spreading Pickleball Across Continents
Jan Papi is a man on a mission - to take the fast-growing sport of pickleball to every corner of the globe. As the visionary founder of Pickleball Global and the World Pickleball Championship (WPC), the charismatic Czech entrepreneur has turned his passion project into an intercontinental phenomenon, bringing together players of all ages and skill levels in a series of blockbuster tournaments.
After just a brief chat with Papi, his infectious enthusiasm for the sport is palpable. Sitting beachside at the luxurious Caralina Beach Resort in Vietnam, host of the latest stop on the WPC circuit, he recounts his remarkable pickleball journey with humility and a dose of his trademark wit on the Pickleball Podcast with host Gordon Watson.
1. 0:01, Intro This upbeat interview catches Papi in his element - surrounded by the splendor of an exotic locale, paddles in hand, and brimming with excitement for the latest feast of pickleball he has meticulously curated. 2. 0:27, How do you find these beautiful World Pickleball Championship (WPC) locations? When asked about the magical settings that seem to be hallmarks of the WPC tournaments, Papi chuckles, "I don't find them, they find me." With a warm smile, he explains that opportunities seem to naturally arise when you pursue your visions with joy and consider the experiences of others. Chance encounters have blossomed into partnerships in paradise. 3. 1:14, Score Sheets Papi's in-demand status is immediately apparent as midway through his response, an aide politely interjects to provide score sheets - just one small glimpse of the organized chaos that Papi juggles to orchestrate these world-class events. 4. 1:37, Jan's Pickleball Journey Retracing his pickleball origins, Papi transports us to 2011 in Bonita Springs, Florida, where he owned a tennis store. When a visitor inquired about selling pickleball paddles, Papi was baffled but intrigued by this unknown sport. His decision to stock a few paddles kicked off an unlikely revolution. 5. 6:45, WPC unearths a whole new cohort of players and talent One of the most remarkable aspects of Papi's tourneys is their power to unearth extraordinary talent. In host nation Vietnam, a sublime cohort of players has emerged, their "precocious" skills stunning spectators. This phenomenon repeats everywhere the WPC rolls into town. 6. 8:10, Pool Matches Papi's eyes light up discussing the breathtaking competition witnessed in Vietnam's pool matches featuring titans like Nguyen Van Chik and Nelson Nhon mixing it up. The parity and intensity have been "smacking" good. 7. 9:01, The level of Pickleball Whether it's his homeland of Australia or the latest WPC venue, Pickleball Podcast host Gordon Watson has witnessed pickleball's stratospheric rise across all levels. Each WPC stop becomes a catalyst elevating the game higher.
8. 9:21, Next WPC Stops
With the boundless verve of a seasoned touring professional, Papi diligently walks through the upcoming locations that comprise the "Race to Caralina" - the prestigious finale in January 2025 back in Vietnam.
9. 10:03, June - Korea Korea promises a "classy" stop in June, with Papi gushing about the distinctive opportunity to play in South Korea and the sheer novelty it holds for many players, Australian and Vietnamese alike. 10. 10:40, August - China Papi's globe-scampering caravan will then journey to Dalian, China in August. He rhapsodizes about the city's "fantastic" summer scenery and beaches, modeling the idyllic venues the WPC seeks. 11. 11:14, Australia - Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast The WPC's X-factor? There are multiple Australian stops planned including Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney's famed shores, and the picturesque Gold Coast. 12. 11:31, Bali For the third straight year, Bali will be a WPC zeus attracting throngs of Aussies and other pickleball zealots to its beaches and world-class amenities. 13. 11:56, Every year WPC events are getting bigger and bigger Papi's hard work is paying off with the WPC's incredible growth. Each successive year has seen his tournaments balloon in popularity and participation, a testament to his committed leadership. 14. 13:02, October - India While keeping his cards close to the vest, Papi vaguely teases that a "huge" surprise awaits players in India come October - a stop sure to become a landmark for the sport's proliferation. 15. 13:31, Hong Kong - Discovery Bay Arriving in Hong Kong, the WPC finds its dream setting - the pristine oceanside community of Discovery Bay, a short ferry ride from the city's pulsating heart. It's the ideal symbiosis of nature's beauty and urban accessibility. 16. 14:50, Score sheet pickup Once again, the frenetic pace of producing these massive tournaments interjects, as Papi politely excuses himself to swiftly hand off the score sheets. His multi-tasking parlays sports promotion to an art form. 17. 15:14, Taiwan The season's final stop will come in Taoyuan, Taiwan capping a true world tour of pickleball decadence and competition. 18. 15:29, January 2025 - Vietnam, Carmelina Then it's back to Carmelina Beach Resort in Vietnam for the Grand finale where the year's top 20 point leaders will be invited for a crowning climax and monumental prizes.
19. 15:49, The 12 WPC Tournaments, brackets
Papi's ambitious 12-tournament WPC Series links the stops into a meaningful, overarching race, unlike a haphazard series of disconnected events. It's an inspired format putting purpose behind every rally.
20. 16:30, The memento of Pickleball Rather than make the WPC a closed-door event exclusively showcasing the top talents, Papi has intentionally crafted the series as a uniter of all skill levels. From age brackets to varying skill tiers, his is an egalitarian vision reflecting pickleball's unique ability to galvanize communities. 21. 17:01, Singapore Group Papi shares an illuminating anecdote of a passionate group of Singaporean players he recently encountered. Despite limited elite talent from the nation, these pickle players enthusiastically revealed plans to follow the entire WPC circuit - a heartening show of the series' universal appeal. 22. 17:51, Pickleball came to Asia through Singapore Singapore's significance runs deep as the nation responsible for introducing pickleball to the rest of Asia years ago. Its pioneering players have historically set the bar across older age divisions on the international stage. 23. 18:29, What drives you to do what you do? What keeps you going? When asked the driving force propelling his pickleball crusade, Papi scratches any notion of financial motivation. His impassioned response distills his purpose to its essence - utilizing his platform and privilege to "serve people" by creating joyous, valuable experiences that enrich the global community. 24. 20:20, Jan Papi's Legacy Papi's worldwide pickle-trotting and galvanizing spirit have solidified his cult hero status and seemingly eternal legacy within the sport's lore, though the humble ambassador remains blissfully unaware of his iconic grip on the game. 25. 20:39, Outro As our riveting discussion concludes, one truth shines brilliantly clear - Jan Papi has engineered not merely a tournament series, but a joyous interdisciplinary juggernaut that will inevitability leave an immovable footprint across continents and generations of pickleball lovers. The skyrocketing sport couldn't ask for a more passionate, purpose-driven ambassador.
Summary:
In a riveting interview, Jan Papi, the visionary founder of Pickleball Global and the World Pickleball Championship (WPC), provided an inside look at his mission to spread the joy of pickleball across the globe. Papi's remarkable journey began humbly in 2011 at his tennis store in Florida when he reluctantly agreed to sell a few pickleball paddles, kickstarting an unlikely revolution.
Today, Papi has turned that small spark into an intercontinental phenomenon. The WPC series is an audacious 12-tournament circuit that links stops into a meaningful, high-stakes "Race to Caralina" finale in Vietnam. From exotic beach paradises like the Caralina Beach Resort to urban marvels like Hong Kong's Discovery Bay, Papi has mastered the art of marrying pickleball with luxury and unforgettable experiences.
But Papi's WPC vision extends far beyond palatial venues. A unique hallmark is its power to unearth extraordinary talent from all corners of the globe. In host nation Vietnam, the "precocious" skills of local players have stunned spectators. This phenomenon repeats at every stop as the WPC elevates the level of surrounding communities.
Rather than make it an elite, closed-door event, Papi has crafted the WPC as an egalitarian celebration spanning ages and skill levels. From pros like Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin who starred at Papi's inaugural events, to amateur hopefuls looking to make their mark, all are welcome and treated as equals. It's this spirit of inclusivity that has catalyzed the WPC's incredible year-over-year growth.
When asked his motivation for the grueling globetrotting required to orchestrate these extravaganzas, Papi dismisses any financial incentive. His impassioned response boils down to two words: "Serve people." For Papi, utilizing his platform to create joyous, valuable experiences that bring happiness and enrich the global pickleball community is the ultimate purpose and privilege.
With breathless enthusiasm, Papi teased upcoming stops from Korea to Australia, India to Taiwan - a true world tour of pickleball decadence. While remaining humble about his burgeoning iconic status, it's clear Papi's unstoppable spirit and ambition have solidified an eternal legacy within the sport's lore.
The WPC has become much more than a tournament series, but a joyous interdisciplinary juggernaut leaving an immovable footprint across continents and generations. And at the center of this pickle-flavored revolution is the charismatic, purpose-driven ambassador Jan Papi - a man lifting up players of all stripes by serving them world-class experiences and opportunities. The skyrocketing sport couldn't ask for a better global galvanizer.
- 0:01 Intro
- 0:27 How do you find these beautiful World Pickleball Championship (WPC) locations?
- 1:14 Score sheets
- 1:37 Jan's Pickleball Journey
- 6:45 WPC unearths a whole new cohort of players and talent
- 8:10 Pool Matches
- 9:01 The level of Pickleball
- 9:21 Next WPC Stops
- 10:03 June - Korea
- 10:40 August - China
- 11:14 Australia - Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast
- 11:31 Bali
- 11:56 Every year WPC events are getting bigger and bigger
- 13:02 October - India
- 13:31 Hong Kong - Discovery Bay
- 14:50 Score sheet pickup
- 15:14 Taiwan
- 15:29 January 2025 - Vietnam, Carmelina
- 15:49 The 12 WPC Tournaments, brackets
- 16:30 The memento of Pickleball
- 17:01 Singapore Group
- 17:51 Pickleball came to Asia through Singapore
- 18:29 What drives you to do what you do? What keeps you going?
- 20:20 Jan Papi's Legacy
- 20:39 Outro
World Pickleball Championship Series - Asia Pacific
2024 WPC VIETNAM | RACE TO CARMELINA
The Pickle Piper: Jan Papi's Quest to Bring Pickleball to the World
1. How did Jan Papi's pickleball journey begin?
a) He discovered the sport while traveling in Asia b) He was a professional tennis player who transitioned to pickleball c) He reluctantly agreed to sell a few pickleball paddles at his tennis store in Florida d) He attended a pickleball tournament and was immediately hooked
2. What is the primary goal of the World Pickleball Championships (WPC) series?
a) To showcase the top professional players in the sport b) To generate revenue for Pickleball Global c) To bring the joy of pickleball to players of all skill levels across the globe d) To host tournaments in exotic locations for tourism purposes
3. How many tournaments make up the WPC series?
a) 6 b) 8 c) 10 d) 12
4. Which of the following is NOT a location for an upcoming WPC tournament?
a) Bali b) India c) Thailand d) Hong Kong
5. According to the article, what is one of the unique aspects of the WPC tournaments?
a) They only feature young, up-and-coming players b) They unearth extraordinary talent from local communities c) They are only open to professional players d) They are held indoors to avoid inclement weather
6. Which of the following players did NOT participate in Papi's early WPC tournaments?
a) Ben Johns b) Tyson McGuffin c) Kyle Yates d) Rafa Hewitt
7. How does the article describe the level of competition at the WPC tournaments?
a) Relaxed and casual b) Intense and breath-taking c) Predictable and uneventful d) Mediocre and unexciting
8. Which of the following is NOT a reason cited for the WPC's incredible growth?
a) Papi's committed leadership b) The inclusive format spanning all skill levels c) The lucrative prize money offered d) The unique and luxurious locations
9. According to the article, what is Papi's primary motivation for organizing the WPC series?
a) Financial gain b) Promoting his own business interests c) Creating joyous experiences for the global pickleball community d) Becoming a famous sports personality
10. How does the article describe Papi's character?
a) Humble and charismatic b) Arrogant and self-centered c) Serious and stern d) Reclusive and reserved
11. Which of the following countries is NOT mentioned as a location for an upcoming WPC tournament?
a) Japan b) China c) Korea d) Taiwan
12. What is the "Race to Caralina" referring to?
a) A specific tournament within the WPC series b) The finale event where the top point leaders compete c) A competition to see who can travel to the most WPC locations d) A charity race held in conjunction with the WPC
13. How does the article describe the venues chosen for the WPC tournaments?
a) Basic and functional b) Exotic and luxurious c) Cramped and outdated d) Industrial and urban
14. According to the article, what is one of the goals of the WPC format?
a) To identify the top professional players b) To generate revenue through ticket sales c) To create a meaningful, overarching competition d) To host tournaments in as many countries as possible
15. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for the growth of pickleball?
a) The sport's unique ability to galvanize communities b) The popularity of professional pickleball players c) The rise of the sport across all skill levels d) The accessibility of the sport for players of all ages
16. How does the article describe Papi's response when asked about his motivation?
a) He cited the financial opportunities b) He discussed his desire for fame and recognition c) He dismissed any notion of financial motivation d) He remained vague and non-committal
17. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic of the WPC tournaments?
a) They are inclusive of all skill levels and age brackets b) They feature a bracket system to determine winners c) They focus solely on the top professional players d) They are spread across multiple continents
18. How does the article describe the impact of the WPC on local communities?
a) It has little to no impact on the surrounding areas b) It elevates the level of pickleball in those communities c) It disrupts the local culture and traditions d) It causes overcrowding and environmental issues
19. Which of the following phrases does the article use to describe Papi's role?
a) "Pickleball Powerbroker" b) "Pickle Piper" c) "Pickleball Promoter" d) "Pickle Prince"
20. How does the article describe the overall significance of the WPC series?
a) It is a simple tournament series with little impact b) It is a joyous, interdisciplinary juggernaut leaving a lasting footprint c) It is a financial venture with limited cultural significance d) It is a short-term phenomenon with no long-term legacy
Answer Key:
- c
- c
- d
- c
- b
- d
- b
- c
- c
- a
- a
- b
- b
- c
- b
- c
- c
- b
- b
- b
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