The rumor circulating before the JOOLA GERMAN OPEN was that the dates would collide with a major pickleball event in India. So, this would be a great opportunity to acquire some “easy” ranking points since loads of the best players would be away. Well, the dates do collide with the US Open and while there are some players missing that I would have liked to see because of that, the reality is this tournament is packed with quality players and the task of making predictions is more daunting than ever…
…but I have talked to several of them, picking up on recent practice routines, how they have prepared and what challenges they might face due to time constraints, illnesses, equipment malfunctions and other. While I will not get into detail about these in the text (as that would be to give away unfair disclosure to opponents) the information will be part of the predictions I make, undisclosed.
So, let’s get to it. And as my favorite British pickleball broadcaster would have put it: “What a day, day one’s gonna be!”
DAY 1: SINGLES
Thursday, May 1st
Let’s start with the Women.
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Round 1: BYE
Not a lot of matches in this round, mostly byes. So, I will also take a bye from speculating about this round…
Round 2: Badminton vs Tennis.
Vittoria de Pasquale vs. Caroline Nothnagel
Northern Italian player Vittoria de Pasquale has a long background from playing badminton, called it quits some years back, before being introduced to pickleball by her dad. And after that a second racket career started.
In round 2 I predict her to face off against one of the RTA tours strongest tennis players, Caroline Nothnagel, who not only has a tennis background but still competes and plays pickleball in parallel.
So that gives us an interesting match-up: tennis vs badminton.
While many will point to the US and say that former tennis players are more frequent at the top level in pickleball, the US is not a good example. There, tennis is a much bigger sport so it’s no wonder tennis players are more common. That data is skewed. Look instead in Asia and you have lots of players with badminton background. What they bring to the table (or court) is great footwork, lightning-fast reflexes and good patience in setting up and winning points.
In my opinion, all of those qualities transfer very well to pickleball – at least if we are talking doubles. But this is singles and that gives tennis players some advantages.
For this game, it will be interesting to see how Vittoria will handle Caroline’s heavy ground attacks. I would suggest she try to bring the game to the kitchen and ideally engage into firefights where quick hands and reactions will decide the winner.
This is of course much easier said than done, but something I will watch with great interest.
Prediction: Caroline wins 2-0.
Round 4: Tennis vs Tennis.
Karolina Owczarek vs. Maria Pintor Rodriguez
In women’s singles, matches tend to involve more baseline duels than the men’s. Whereas the general guideline for men is to rush the net no matter what and hope for the best, for women it makes more sense to stay back and wait for the right opportunity. What is also a general “truth” when it comes to singles base line duels is that the player with the better backhand usually comes out the winner. With most players wanting to avoid hitting the opponent’s forehand, the base line duels tend to go back and forth from the backhand corners.
Now, all this sets up a very interesting match-up in round four which I predict will feature Karolina Owczarek and Maria Pintor Rodriguez.
Maria, a former tennis player, loves the baseline and especially the backhand. With strong mobility and a lighter frame, she will be able to go forever against Karolina. While Karolina is also a tennis player and a grinder who doesn’t mind staying back, she also has some more tricks up her sleeve in terms of advancing to the net.
This game will be about patience. For Karolina to choose the right opportunities to rush the net and for Maria to stay in the point and be ready for put-away shots when the charge comes.
Looking forward to this one!
Prediction: Karolina wins 2-0
Round 6: Tennis vs more tennis.
Marta Zając / Caroline Nothnagel vs. Alma Thell-Lenntorp
Round four will feature a heavy weight fight between Marta Zając and Caroline Nothnagel who both play on a very high level in singles right now. Whoever wins, I predict will face Alma. And regardless of who that will be, the game versus Alma will also be a must-see.
Alma is an electric singles player with a very high ceiling, as was demonstrated the last time she competed in Germany (Stuttgart, October 2024) when she was top 4. But I see both Marta and Caroline as having the higher floors, which would favor a win in terms of where probability is concerned. And looking back at the Stuttgart tournament last year, the gold medalist of the whole thing was no other than Caroline Nothnagel…
But I still think Marta will get the upper hand of Caroline in Round 4 and be the one who faces Alma. She had an amazing start to RTA year and I don’t see that as a fluke. In fact, I expect her to be even better now and that will be bad news for anyone on her side of the draw. She will have a tough one with Caroline, and also with Alma, but I think she will make it.
Prediction: Marta wins 2-1.
Round 8: Poznan party!
Karolina Owczarek vs Marta Zając
Can these two training buddies make it all the way to round 8 and make sure Poznan has at least one spot in the finals? I think so. Which would give us a match between two players who knows each other’s ins and outs better than anyone. What can Marta pull out to disturb Karolina’s rhythm? (My guess: disguised drop-shots.) What can Karolina use to disturb Marta’s rhythm? (My guess: no-nonsense straight down the line backhands.)
For Karolina, a stressful schedule without many chances for breaks, might actually be her biggest challenge here. To keep it together mentally and staying focused throughout the tournament will be a test, and this game in particular will show if she can handle it or not. But I think she can and for some strange reason I even see her winning in straight sets.
Prediction: Karolina wins 2-0.
Later rounds – skip to the Sunday section!
MEN’S SINGLES
Round 1: Italy vs. Hungary
Krisztian Kaszoni vs Matteo Cugliari
What unsung heroes do we have lurking in the first round that may not yet be on the radar of the general public? Well, two of my favorite players that I think each have a great shot at making some noise on the RTA tour before the year is over, happen to collide in the very first round in Cologne.
Krisztian Kaszoni’s claim to fame as of today might be as Bálints main sparring partner. But don’t sleep on this powerful lefty from Sopron who comes with great reach ad mobility as well.
On the other side of the net, former tennis and padel player from Rome, Matteo Cugliari, who plays with great vision, excellent mobility and great feel for the ball.
This will be a hidden gem of a match in the first round where Krisztian’s powerful serves and returns will give him an early advantage in the rallies. But Matteo will hang in there and there will be more than one magical point to be seen in this fight that I predict will take a while to sort out.
Prediction: Krisztian wins 2-1.
Round 2: Denmark vs. Hungary
Thor Due vs. Bakó Bálint Gergő
While Thor had his breakthrough on the RTA tour last year, finishing top 5 in the Arlberg Championship, Bálint has been one of the big exclamation marks this year.
In the Champions League of European pickleball we have the Danish champion squaring up against the Hungarian champion. Just the way it should be!
The game will be a duel between Thor’s power shots and Bálints mobility. When in the zone, Thor’s game is very difficult to counter with all the darts he is slinging from the base line. Still, to outmaneuver Bálint I think he might need to play a little too risky to be able to keep it up over a full game.
Prediction: unless Thor comes out of the gates on fire, Bálint wins 2-0.
Round 4: Austria vs. Hungary
Stefan Grübmuller vs Bakó Bálint Gergő
Isn’t there an awful lot of Hungary so far in this edition of the TV-guide? Well yes, it is. But for good reason. This is a country whose players require more attention. You will not be disappointed, trust me on that.
While I think Thor might have a difficulty finding the right balance of offensive firepower/risk vs Bálint, Stefan has the advantage of experience from playing Bálint in practice. With Vienna/Sopron being in an hour’s driving distance from one another, these two practice together on a regular basis. Which gives Stefan some valuable insight in what kind of game he needs to play in order to win. But I still think Bálint’s got this one.
Prediction: Bálint wins 2-0.
Round 6: Chariots of fire
Cyril Peltier vs. Bakó Bálint Gergő
Bartosz Karbownik / Ben Cawston vs. Théo Platel
Some magical match-ups are in the making in Round 6. And the magic starts already in Round 4 with Bartosz and Ben Cawston colliding. What all these games have in common is the potential for very long, exciting rallies that can go on forever and ever. The deciding factor then, might just be the ball: the JOOLA HELEUS. I think it gives an advantage to players who are more comfortable speeding it up from time to time and mix up the control game.
Prediction: Bálint and Bartosz both win 2-0.
Round of 8’s:
Bartosz Karbownik vs Bakó Bálint Gergő
The last (and only?) time these two met was in a game first to 15, which Bálint won 16-14. Needless to say, this has the potential to be a really tight, close game that could really go either way. Since it went Bálint’s way last time, maybe the fortunes favor Bartek this time?
Prediction: Bartosz wins 2-1.
Later rounds – skip to the Sunday section.
DAY 2: DOUBLES
Friday, May 2nd
Since the women got more attention for Day 1, let’s turn the tables a little for Day 2. And to not loose you in the details, let’s skip predictions and focus instead on one of the over-arching themes: Beloved reunions!
Felix & Basti – the reunion!
The “Johns brothers of Europe” are back together again to the delight of pickleball fans worldwide! There is not much I can say about these two that has not been written already. Plus, I fully expect the live talk airing tonight at 7.15 PM with Nick Hobbis, Stefan Grubmüller, Sam Basford and Magnus Stedile-Foradori to dedicate at least half the show to this topic!
Kenneth Dahlin & Mikael Eriksson – a blast from the past!
A few years back these two were on the longest streak of dominance in men’s doubles that Sweden has ever seen. For a few years – everybody wanted to beat them, but hardly anyone could. Eventually, yours truly together with then-partner Axel Irestedt found a winning formula, but never at what was then the biggest stage in Sweden, the Swedish nationals. Will Micke & Kenneth be able to recapture the magic? Well, Micke’s power serves and drives will generate more than few points and when Kenneth is in the zone he can dial up shots that very few other RTA players can. Looking forward to watch!
Bartosz Karbownik & Arwid Dahlin – together again!
When teaming up before, these two have been very successful. Case in point: Malmö in December when the result was a solid gold. There are few things stopping Bartek/Arwid from repeating; calm, patient play waiting for opportunities from the opponents will take them far. This team has very few, if hardly any, weaknesses. I think I only see one – but will the opponents see it as well?
DAY 3: MIXED
Saturday, May 3rd
This section may or may not be updated later on this weekend. But for now, let’s fast-forward to: Sunday! And not just any Sunday…
DAY 4: CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY!
Sunday, May 4th
Followers of pickleball in the US are well accustomed to this format which collects all the finals on the Sunday, but it is a new concept in Europe and I love this tournament for trying it out!
While it may not be ideal to all players’ travelling plans, nearby hotels will for sure appreciate it and so will we – the online viewers and spectators – who can get the chance to see all of the best of the best in the same window!
Bring out the popcorn and get ready for live broadcasting of all the finals (Women’s/Men’s Singles, Women’s/Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles).
These are the players I think we will see.
Women’s singles:
Karolina Owczarek vs Caroline Nothnagel
These two partners form a lethal combo when teaming up in doubles. But the argument could be made they are even better in singles. And the best one out of the two is…?
Using the October 2024 Stuttgart finals as the proxy, Caroline would have the upper hand.
Prediction: Caroline wins 2-0.
Men’s singles:
Bakó Bálint Gergö vs Bartosz Karbownik
I see a rematch of the round of 8’s meeting between these two and while the last RTA tournament saw Bálint making it to the finals all through the winner’s bracket only to lose in the final game to 15, now he will get the chance to come back and win in the same fashion. And I think he takes that chance.
Prediction: Bálint wins 2-1.
Women’s Doubles
Karolina Owczarek & Caroline Nothnagel vs Klara & Alma Thell-Lenntorp
The last time these two couples faced off, the match was so tight both teams had championship points before Karolina and Caroline got away with the win. The Swedish pickleball twins are hungry for revenge and I think that will fuel them into a surprisingly sound victory.
Prediction: Klara & Alma win 2-0.
Men’s Doubles
Cyril Peltier & Théo Platel vs. Bartosz Karbownik & Arwid Dahlin
The more Cyril and Théo play with one another the more comfortable they are getting, forming a tight well-oiled ship that has sailed towards more than a few solid medals already. Fresh off his MLP Australia experience Théo will have grown even more and by Championship Sunday the effects of jet-lag will be gone. That will give them the upper edge in what could be a lovely pickleball affair kind of finals.
Prediction: Théo & Cyril win 2-1.
Mixed Doubles
Bartosz Karbownik & Alma Thell-Lenntorp vs Pep Canyadell & Claudia Caymel Romero
A replay of the NYP On Tour final in Malmö might seem like a safe play on my side. Well hang on, it’s going to get even worse/safer. I predict the exact same result as last time.
Prediction: Bartek & Alma wins 2-0.
May the fourth be with you, all finalists!