Lachy Donnelly’s Breakthrough Year in Pickleball

Earlier this year, Lachy Donnelly earned his place at the World Pickleball Championships in Dallas, Texas by capturing multiple PPA Tour Australia gold medals across several divisions. His victories secured him entry into both the invitational 5.0 Champions Division and the U16 Juniors, a remarkable achievement for a rising star.

The World Pickleball Championships stand as the sport’s most prestigious event, drawing over 4,400 competitors and 60,000 attendees from around the globe. For Lachy, it was the trip of a lifetime, an opportunity to measure himself against the very best players in the world.

Invitational Championship Mixed Doubles – Division 5.0

From the outset, Lachy made his presence felt, advancing deep into every division he entered. His breakthrough came in mixed doubles, where he formed a dynamic partnership with Kei Sawaki, Japan’s #1 junior girl. Together, they grew stronger with each round, upsetting several tournament favourites and battling their way into the Championship Division 5.0 final.

In a thrilling contest filled with spectacular rallies, Lachy and Kei narrowly fell to the #1 team, 9–11. Despite the loss, their performance earned them immense respect and a silver medal 🥈 in one of the toughest divisions.

U16 Junior Mixed Doubles – World Champions

The U16 Junior event was a highlight of the tournament, staged on the main show courts before hundreds of spectators and streamed live across the USA. Every match was fiercely contested, but Lachy and Kei’s positive attitude, sportsmanship, and relentless play gradually won over the crowd.

After advancing through the round of 32, they faced a dramatic semi-final against the junior Team USA World Cup pairing. In a gripping three-set battle, they pulled off a stunning upset, a match later hailed by the PPA Tour director as the best of the year across all divisions.

The final drew a packed audience and delivered pickleball of the highest quality. Rising to the occasion, Lachy and Kei triumphed in straight sets to claim the title of U16 Junior Mixed Doubles World Champions and the coveted gold medal. 🥇

PPA Tour Australia Finals – Melbourne

Just days later, Lachy was back on court for the PPA Tour Australia Finals in Melbourne. Despite a challenging season marked by injury setbacks, he was determined to compete, knowing the junior title was on the line.

His efforts paid off:

• Winning Gold in the U18 Junior doubles 🥇, secured the Junior PPA Tour Australia Champion title for the second consecutive year and also a PPA Tour Pro Junior Contract
• A Bronze in the Open Men’s Doubles, further cementing his reputation as one of Australia’s brightest pickleball talents

Lachy’s journey this year reflects not only his skill and resilience but also his ability to rise to the biggest occasions. From Dallas to Melbourne, he has proven himself on both the world and national stage, setting the foundation for an exciting international career ahead.

Matt Stopel | Acting Head of Co-Curricular Activities