The Pickle Flames, led by Jan Schlorf and Stefan Stangl, hosted their first tournament this past weekend, marking an exciting milestone for the Pickleball Federation Austria’s newest member club. On November 22 and 23 2025, players from across Central Europe gathered for two days of competitive pickleball in Wiener Neustadt.
A Premier Venue for a Premier Event
The Pickle Flames Autumn Cup 2025 took place at Racket Revolution, Austria’s premier dedicated pickleball facility and a venue that’s quickly becoming the go-to location for top-tier tournaments in the country. The venue provided an excellent backdrop as 65 players from Austria, Italy, Hungary, and the Czech Republic competed across six divisions. The next international tournament at Racket Revolution will take place from January 30 to February 1, 2026, where amateur players can compete for a wild card to enter the RTA1000 tournament from February 13-15.
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Growing the Game Across Borders
The international participation highlighted pickleball’s continued growth across Central Europe. From beginners taking their first steps in tournament play to experienced open-level competitors, the Pickle Flames Autumn Cup welcomed players of all skill levels. We are pleased to congratulate Bianca Mader and Annelies Theunis on their first tournament and fantastic results (finishing third in the Beginner Doubles draw). They’ve been long-standing members of the pickleball community in Vienna. The event also showcased strong young talent, including David Nuhlicek, Oliver Shuster (both CZE), Fruzsina Szeli, and Ákos Dobos (both HUN), and demonstrated how accessible tournament locations like Racket Revolution create valuable opportunities for international competition right here in Austria.
Racket Revolution manager Thomas Adelbauer secured the Mixed Doubles 3.5 title on Saturday together with his cousin Victoria Pruckner, defeating Michaela Malinová and Czech youngster Oliver Shuster in the final.
In the Beginner Doubles category, Lucie Schulzová and Michaela Malinová claimed the win, overcoming Thomas Leitner and Daniel Bigler from the Pickle Flames club.
Helmut Hübsch and Alex Stoklas delivered a flawless performance throughout the event, topping David Nuhlicek and once again Oliver Shuster in the final to take the Men’s Doubles 3.5 crown. Thomas Tösch and Christoph Pölz defeated the Pickle Flames officials Stefan Stangl and Jan Schlorf in the bronze medal match.
While day one focused on the Beginner and 3.5 divisions, day two featured the Open categories: Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
PFA sports director Ashley Simpson and European Champion Stefan Urban triumphed in Mixed Doubles as well as in their respective gender doubles – Urban teaming up with PFA president Peter Robic, and Simpson partnering 2025 Austrian Singles Champion Katharina Alten.
All podiums saw strong international representation:
Hungary’s Sándor Tarr, together with Austrian national team player Michael Wurdtis, finished second in Men’s Doubles, while former Austrian champions Martin Kova and Filip Markovic placed third.
In Women’s Doubles, Hungarian pair Andrea Csatári and Fruzsina Szeli finished runner-up, just ahead of PFA Vice President Maureen Tan and Simona Castelnuovo from Italy.
The Mixed Doubles podium featured Hungarians Bence Török and Fruzsina Szeli in second place, with Simona Castelnuovo and Luigi Teti taking third defeating Denise Hübsch and Martin Kova in an emotional match.
Tournament Results
Beginner Doubles
- Lucie Schulzová and Michaela Malinová
- Thomas Leitner and Daniel Bigler
- Bianca Mader and Annelies Theunis
Men’s Doubles 3.5
- Helmut Hübsch and Alex Stoklas
- David Nuhlicek and Oliver Shuster
- Thomas Tösch and Christoph Pölz
Mixed Doubles 3.5
- Thomas Adelbauer and Victoria Pruckner
- Michaela Malinová and Oliver Shuster
- Gabriella Tarné Kajitár and Sándor Tarr
Men’s Doubles Open
- Stefan Urban and Peter Robič
- Michael Wurdits and Sándor Tarr
- Filip Markovic and Martin Kova
Women’s Doubles Open
- Ashley Simpson and Katharina Alten
- Andrea Csatári and Fruzsina Szeli
- Maureen Tan and Simona Castelnuovo
Mixed Doubles Open
- Ashley Simpson and Stefan Urban
- Bence Török and Fruzsina Szeli
- Simona Castelnuovo and Luigi Teti
Congratulations to all the champions, medalists, and participants who made this inaugural event a success. The Pickle Flames have made a strong first impression, and we look forward to seeing more from the PFA’s newest club in the future.
