Two of Australia's best pickleball players sign with PPA Tour & MLP USA

Adam Forziati

Director of Content

Last Edited

Jan 28 2025

Category

News

The pipeline from Australia to American pro pickleball just opened.

Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis, both standout talents from Australia’s National Pickleball League (NPL), have officially signed exclusive contracts with the Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP)—marking a historic first for Aussie pickleball.

It’s a move that cements Australia as an emerging force in the sport.

Evans and Spiridis aren’t just random up-and-comers. They’re battle-tested, having already won a National Pickleball League championship in Australia with team Jalapeños. Before that, both were elite junior tennis players—Evans cracked the ITF Top 200, while Spiridis reached the ITF Top 300.

Evans, who has also served as an NPL ambassador, knows how monumental this step is.

“Being signed to the number one pickleball association in the world, alongside the best players, is absolutely mind-blowing,” Evans said. “I’m so excited to see how far I can go and how much I can improve.”

Spiridis echoed the excitement.

“When I first started playing pickleball, my goal was to one day become a PPA player in the U.S., and now that dream has become a reality,” she said.

The two are set to leave for the U.S. in June 2025. But first, Aussie fans can catch them at the Proton Australia Pickleball Open (Jan. 28–Feb. 2) in Melbourne. It’s their final major tournament at home before they take on the PPA Tour full-time.

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