Photo Credits to: GRAZIA
The GRAZIA Pickleball Tournament made a vibrant debut at Pickle Park in Petaling Jaya, turning a fine Sunday into a full‑scale community festival. Friends and families packed the sidelines, the temperature climbed, and the rallies kept pace.
Partners, vibe, and venue
Served in partnership with Lacoste, the tournament is the first in a planned series over the coming months. Pickle Park’s well‑designed courts set the stage, while Lacoste dialed up the atmosphere with a “locker room” display—featuring the iconic L.12.12 polo, the Lenglen bag, and pickleball‑ready fits—plus an ice‑cream cart and shaded deck chairs for cooldowns between matches.
Organizer Sheng Boon matched a wide mix of players into anonymous pairs, blending seasoned competitors with first‑time tournament entrants. Among the notables on court: Kai Zen Au, Bobo Stephanie, Fad Anuar, Hunny Madu, Jenn Chia, Jon Liddell, Weena Marcus, Yvonne Lee, Atita Haris, Ziha Salleh, Linus Teng, and Shalma Aina. An all‑white dress code kept the aesthetic sharp from first serve to final handshake.
Photo Credits to: GRAZIA
Fan zones and off‑court action
No one waited idle between rounds. Flour, Fire & Stone—the adjoining café—kept athletes fueled. At the OPPO booth, the brand showcased its Find N5 foldable and ran fitness challenges. The women’s test: twenty jump squats with a yoga ball, where Laili Rahmanudin posted the fastest time at 18.6 seconds. The men’s challenge: a 100‑kilogram barbell hold, won by actor Nas‑T at one minute and forty‑seven seconds.
Diamond & Platinum drew a crowd with a precision mini‑game that had guests threading shots through target holes. Symphony Spread rolled up with a cart of mixed fruits, nuts, and crackers paired with spreads—matcha and black sesame proved crowd favorites, with Hazelnut Chocolate and Dark Chocolate close behind.
Car enthusiasts sampled test drives from MG, choosing among four models: the MG5, MG4 Electric, MGS5 EV, and MGHS. The MG Cyberster—complete with show‑stopping scissor doors—served as the day’s most photographed head‑turner.
Eco‑minded guests spotted Hanky Planty hand wash in the restrooms, then browsed the brand’s cruelty‑free, halal, and eco‑friendly bodycare and homecare lineup courtside. Every guest left with a surprise: a full‑size Hanky Planty body lotion tucked into the goodie bag.
Photo Credits to: GRAZIA
Champions Crowned
Happy hour opened at four in the afternoon with free‑flowing Gin & Tonic from The Botanist Gin and Highballs from Cointreau, just as the brackets tightened. By early evening, the podiums were set.
Consolation Cup
- First: Edric & Shi Yin
- Second: Mereen Teo & Buddy
- Third: Hunny Madu & Jonathan Lourdes
Winner Cup
- First: Loreal M. & Arif Irfan
- Second: Bobo Stephanie & Linus Teng
- Third: Juvene & Azril Gaus
Prize tables matched the occasion: Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur vouchers and Lacoste goodies worth RM3,000. Lucky‑draw winners also took home an OPPO Find N5 smartphone and Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur afternoon‑tea vouchers.
Pickleball with Style
The event showcased how lifestyle partners can supercharge grassroots pickleball—welcoming new players, spotlighting local creators, and keeping friends and families engaged with hands‑on activations. Check out the full event gallery at GRAZIA.
GRAZIA billed this as the first installment in a continuing series. Expect the same blend of high‑tempo mixed doubles, fashion‑forward courtside style, and interactive fan zones as the tournament returns in the months ahead.
