Gabe Tardio Takes Vietnam: The World's Most Exciting Pickleball Star Arrives at PPA Hanoi Cup 2026

Hanoi just got a lot louder. The PPA Tour Asia MB Hanoi Cup 2026 opened April 1 at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena — and at the center of it all is 20-year-old Gabe Tardio, the Bolivian-born phenom who is quickly becoming the most compelling player in professional pickleball. His first trip to Vietnam marks more than a tournament appearance. It is an introduction to Asia of a brand, a shoe, and a global partnership that has the entire pickleball world paying attention.

World No. 1 Men's Doubles Arrives in Hanoi

Tardio enters the Hanoi Cup as the top seed in men's doubles alongside world No. 1 Ben Johns — a partnership that has been nearly unstoppable in 2026. The two arrived in Vietnam carrying an undefeated record on the season, including a dramatic five-game comeback win where they dropped the first two games before rallying to close it out Thể thao 24h, raising their combined title total to 15. The MB Hanoi Cup carries a total prize purse of approximately $300,000 Dân Việt and 1,000 PPA ranking points, making it the highest-stakes Asian stop of the year.

Tardio had previously stated he was looking forward to competing in Asia and experiencing firsthand its passionate pickleball crowds. Pickleball News Asia Vietnamese media reported his arrival at Noi Bai Airport immediately drew fans who recognize him as a symbol of a young generation redefining the sport internationally. His presence at the tournament quickly attracted significant attention from Vietnamese pickleball fans, who see him as an icon of the next generation dominating the global game. The Thao Van Hoa This is his first time competing on Asian soil — and the reception made clear his following extends well beyond the Americas.

Facolos: Gabe Tardio as the Global Face of Asian Pickleball

The timing of Tardio's Vietnam debut is no coincidence. Earlier this year, Tardio signed a partnership with Facolos, a Vietnam-based pickleball brand with a well-established presence across Asia and growing international ambitions. The deal, which runs through 2027, includes Facolos' flagship EliteX paddle — engineered for exceptional grip, spin, and control — as well as a co-branded collection of paddles, accessories, and apparel. Facolos is also now a paddle sponsor for both the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball. The Kitchen

Facolos Vice General Director Vo Tran Quynh Trang described Tardio as a bridge between Asian pickleball and the global game — a young, exceptionally talented athlete whose competitive drive and passion for the sport align perfectly with the brand's long-term vision. The Kitchen For Facolos, landing the world's top-ranked men's doubles player as a global ambassador is a statement. For the Asian pickleball market, it signals that the sport's brightest young star is fully committed to growing the game here.

Introducing the Straia G1 Pro to Asia

Tardio is also bringing his signature shoe to the Asian stage for the first time. The Straia G1 Pro was developed in direct collaboration with Tardio, built specifically around the way pickleball players move on the court — prioritizing quick lateral cuts, explosive drives, and rapid stop-and-go transitions rather than adapting an existing tennis or basketball design. Empower Pickleball

The shoe emphasizes ankle support through a built-in ankle collar and heel counter to stabilize high-impact movements, while a wider-than-typical base improves balance and control through quick-twitch directional changes. An outer mesh layer adds breathability for extended, high-intensity play. Pickleball News Asia Tardio was heavily involved throughout the design and testing process — this is not a licensing arrangement. He built it from the court up, and it shows. PlayersTV

The G1 Pro retails for $130 and is available in both men's and women's sizes.  You can buy your G1 Pros here! For Asian players seeing it on court in Hanoi this week, it represents the first signature pickleball shoe ever worn by a player of this caliber competing on their continent.

Why This Moment Matters

The MB Hanoi Cup 2026 is the first stop of a 10-tournament PPA Tour Asia season spanning seven markets, with Vietnam chosen to open the year — a reflection of the country's surging pickleball momentum. VnExpress Gabe Tardio walking onto that court as the world's top men's doubles player, in his Straia G1 Pro signature shoes, carrying a Facolos EliteX paddle, is not a coincidence of scheduling. It is a convergence of intentional brand-building, athlete development, and global sport expansion — all arriving in Southeast Asia at the same moment.

Pickleball's fastest-rising star just introduced himself to an entire continent. Asia, meet Gabe Tardio.

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