20-Year-Old Pickleball Star Gabriel Tardio Is Coming To Kuala Lumpur For The PPA Asia 1000

Catch him during the PPA Asia 1000 in KL from 9 to 13 September!

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.

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.

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.

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.