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If you've been wondering why pickleball seems to be everywhere, one look at Gabriel Tardio's journey might give you an idea of just how far the sport has come
At just 20 years old, the Bolivia-born athlete is already ranked World No. 2 in men's pickleball, and he's coming to Kuala Lumpur for the PPA Asia 1000 Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup 2026.
The tournament takes place from 9 to 13 September at The Hood, Kuala Lumpur, where Tardio will compete alongside professional players from around the world and some of Malaysia's top pickleball talent.
Before becoming one of pickleball's biggest young stars, Tardio was actually making a name for himself in tennis
He was reportedly a top-10 under-14 tennis player in Bolivia, but his sporting journey took an unexpected turn after he was introduced to pickleball by someone close to him, his grandfather.
After moving to the United States, Tardio started playing pickleball regularly after school. What began as a family connection eventually became a full-blown professional career.
Aged just 17-years-old at the time, Tardio officially turned professional in 2022
The right-handed player is known for his aggressive doubles game, athleticism, and ability to create tricky angles that can leave opponents scrambling.
According to his official PPA profile, Tardio has picked up 27 career titles and 24 doubles titles. Plus, he has also won a Major League Pickleball championship with the St. Louis Shock.
And now, you'll get to see what he's all about, live and in person
With pickleball continuing to grow in popularity in Malaysia, having an international star of Tardio's calibre compete here is also a chance to see just how high the professional level of the sport has become.
So, whether you're already obsessed with pickleball or still wondering why everyone suddenly owns a paddle, this could be a pretty good excuse to check out the action.
