The turn of the year provides an opportunity to take stock of the development of Pickleball in Austria. Since the founding of the Pickleball Federation Austria in April 2023, things have progressed rapidly:
- Formation of the Pickleball Federation Austria: Clubs from three federal states came together to form the Pickleball Federation Austria: Sportunion Rackathletes Austria (Vienna), ASVÖ Racketsport Vösendorf (Lower Austria), and Union Racketsport Verein Ragnitz (Styria).
- Membership in the European Pickleball Federation: In May, the Pickleball Federation Austria joined the European Pickleball Federation.
- First Outdoor Pickleball Courts in Austria: In June, the first two outdoor Pickleball courts in Austria were established at the Sportcenter Donaucity in Vienna.
- 1st PFA Vienna Pickleball Open: In early August, in collaboration with Sportunion Rackathletes Austria, the Pickleball Federation Austria organized the 1st PFA Vienna Pickleball Open—the first national Pickleball tournament.
- Expansion in Graz: Mid-August saw the opening of additional outdoor Pickleball courts in Hart near Graz.
- First Austrian Pickleball Championships: In September, the Pickleball Federation Austria hosted the first Austrian Pickleball Championships. The Racket Sport Center Graz witnessed the crowning of the first Pickleball champions in doubles, mixed doubles, junior doubles, and singles.
- Live-Streaming of Austrian Championships: The 1st Austrian Championships were live-streamed on Streamster TV.
- European Recognition: In 2023, Stefan Grubmüller, an Austrian player, secured a place among the top 3 in Europe in singles.
- Full Membership in the International Pickleball Federation: In November, the Pickleball Federation Austria became a full member of the International Pickleball Federation.
- Pickleball Workshop in Graz: In December, the first two-day Pickleball workshop took place in Graz, where the best players from Vienna, Graz, and Tyrol gathered for joint training.
- Arlberg Pickleball Championship: Also in December, the Arlberg Pickleball Championship was held, the largest international Pickleball tournament in Austria to date, where the best Europeans competed for the title (picture).
- Growing Pickleball Communities: Numerous new Pickleball communities have formed throughout the country in 2023 with the support of the Pickleball Federation Austria. Regular Pickleball games are now played in Vienna and in Styria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Vorarlberg.
The Pickleball Federation Austria, as the official sports association for Pickleball in Austria, is dedicated to spreading the sport throughout the country and supporting clubs and initiatives that wish to offer Pickleball in Austria. Many connections have been established, constructive discussions held, and much progress has been made. Thanks to the overwhelming support, we are motivated to continue our efforts in 2024.
