The Austrian pickleball community gathered for the 2. Ostermiething Open on August 2-3, 2025. Organized by the Sportunion Ostermiething Pickleball Group in partnership with the Pickleball Federation Austria (PFA), this second annual tournament built on the success of last year’s April event, establishing Ostermiething as a key tournament spot on the Austrian Pickleball calendar.
The tournament photo gallery is available on Facebook as usual: Link. The photos can be used free of charge with credit © Racketista – Das Racketsport Magazin. Please tag the PFA @playpickleballAT when posting the photos!
Community Atmosphere
What sets the Ostermiething Open apart is its commitment to creating a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere. Participants were treated to the Ostermiething members’ signature hospitality, such as home-made cookies throughout the weekend. The event’s success was made possible by the dedicated volunteer efforts of several players, with Brigitte and David Moore operating the information desk, entering the results and kept the tournament running throughout both days.
Heide Forman, the main organizer of the Pickleball group in Ostermiething and Vice President of the PFA, explained that players of all ages and different playing levels are welcome in Ostermiething and are the basis for the strong community spirit. “We have whole families playing with us, including three generations,” she pointed out.
Notable Attendees and Political Support
The tournament received a visit from Agnes Sirkka Prammer, sports spokesperson of the Austrian National Council, showing growing recognition for Pickleball in Austria: “We’re trying to create the framework so that sport, in all its facets, has sufficient space and importance. That’s why it’s necessary to look at different sports. I’ve tried Pickleball myself – it’s easy to start, but at a certain level, it’s a different sport.
The Chairman of the Sportunion Ostermiething, Andreas Kirchmair, appreciated the efforts of the Pickleball group within the club. Both Kirchmair and his wife grabbed paddles and tried the sport themselves.
Tournament Highlights
Junior player Aaron Juhn impressed in the Men’s Doubles category, teaming up with national team player Helmut Hübsch to secure some wins in the Open Men’s Doubles draw. Last year’s Men’s Doubles Austrian Championships runner-ups, Hanspeter Widl and Alex Rieck (VP of PFA), also had a strong showing in the tournament finishing second in the Men’s Open Doubles draw right behind winners Thomas Knapp and Peter Robic. Behind Ashley Simpson and Thomas Knapp father-daughter pair Helmut and Denise Hübsch earned silver in the Open Mixed Doubles category, highlighting that Pickleball is truly a family sport. Ashley Simpson and Jasmin Primus secured the Women’s Open Doubles title.
PFA President Peter Robic: “It’s really great to see how the tournament has evolved. A tournament is a great opportunity for local players to compete with new opponents and gain experience. We – the Pickleball Federation Austria – are encouraging our member clubs to organize tournaments like these. We are happy to assist in every possible way, from providing software for registration to logistic support.”
International Participation
The tournament drew players from across Austria and beyond. Chairwoman Vessi Gugliemo, along with several players from her club, represented PFA member Pickleball Salzburg Union. Liz Weare and Lothar Winzer, who make a four-hour commute to join the Ostermiething Club’s weekly sessions, did not want to miss the opportunity to participate in the tournament as well. International representation included Manjit Chung (English and Jamaican Pickleball communities) and Andrea King, an avid Pickleball player living in the US but proudly maintaining her Austrian roots.
Senior Categories
Building on the success of the seniors’ competitions at the 3rd Austrian Championships, the tournament in Riedersbach also featured mixed 50+ and open 50+ doubles competitions for the first time. On the second day of the tournament, the seniors showed their class. Local hero Doris Rothenwänder, who won silver in the open women’s doubles with Sabrina Juhn on Saturday, crowned herself 50+ champion alongside Manjit Chung. In the 50+ mixed doubles competition, Helmut Hübsch and Sandra Pribil prevailed with a three-set victory against Liz Weare and Lothar Winzer in the gold medal match.
Tournament Results
Women’s Doubles Open
Gold: Jasmin Primus/Ashley Simpson
Silver: Sabrina Juhn/Doris Rothenwänder
Bronze: Andrea King/Manjit Chung
Men’s Doubles Open
Gold: Thomas Knapp/Peter Robic
Silver: Hanspeter Widl/Alex Rieck
Bronze: Jakob Schett/Matthias Juhn
Mixed Doubles Open
Gold: Thomas Knapp/Ashley Simpson
Silver: Denise Hübsch/Helmut Hübsch
Bronze: Andrea King/Hanspeter Widl
Doubles 50+
Gold: Manjit Chung/Doris Rothenwänder
Silver: Liz Weare/Heide Forman
Bronze: Sandra Pribil/Soe Ching Ng
Mixed Doubles 50+
Gold: Sandra Pribil/Helmut Hübsch
Silver: Lothar Winzer/Liz Weare
Bronze: Klaus Rothenwänder/Doris Rothenwänder
Looking Ahead
The 2. Ostermiething Open has once again shown that Austrian Pickleball is thriving, combining competitive excellence with the warm, inclusive community spirit that makes the sport so special. With strong political support, international participation, and a growing base of players across all age groups, the future of Pickleball in Austria looks bright.
The Pickleball Federation Austria thanks all participants, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who made this tournament such a success. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
