The Vietnamese Davis Cup team receives their award after securing their spot in Group III at the Hanaka Tennis Complex, Bac Ninh on 19/7. Photo: VTF

The Vietnamese Davis Cup team receives their award after securing their spot in Group III at the Hanaka Tennis Complex, Bac Ninh on 19/7. Photo: VTF

The Vietnamese tennis team recently competed in the 2025 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group III without Truong Vinh Hien, their remaining hope after Ly Hoang Nam and Trinh Linh Giang withdrew in 2024. The absence of these experienced players presented challenges, but the team ultimately maintained their position with a decisive 2-1 victory against Sri Lanka.

With a team largely composed of young players from qualifying rounds, alongside the established Nguyen Van Phuong, retaining their Group III status is a commendable achievement. These emerging talents represent the future of Vietnamese tennis, but the allure of pickleball poses a significant threat.

Players like Pham La Hoang Anh, Nguyen Minh Phat, and Vu Ha Minh Duc are young and could shift their focus at any time. In the past two years, Vietnamese tennis has lost ground to pickleball, with both Ly Hoang Nam and Trinh Linh Giang now competing professionally in the sport. Giang recently won a PPA Asia Tour event in Malaysia, a tournament Hoang Nam also participated in.

Pickleball's explosive growth offers tennis players new career and financial opportunities. Hoang Nam has become a brand ambassador, and Linh Giang recently launched his own line of pickleball paddles. Pickleball events also draw larger, more enthusiastic crowds, a stark contrast to the sparsely attended Davis Cup matches Vietnam hosted last week at the Hanaka Tennis Complex in Bac Ninh.

Vu Huu Ha, father of Vu Ha Minh Duc, says his family still prioritizes his son's tennis career. He acknowledges pickleball's strong appeal and confirms Minh Duc has received offers to switch. However, for now, the young player remains committed to tennis, the sport he's played since childhood.

"The financial incentives to switch to pickleball are clear," Ha said. "But my son is currently receiving long-term investment and guidance from a brand in Ho Chi Minh City. We're fully focused on his tennis journey. We don't want to see the tennis scene in Vietnam decline any further."

Minh Duc (left) celebrates victory against Sri Lanka with his teammate at the Hanaka Tennis Complex, Bac Ninh on 19/7. Photo: VTF

Minh Duc (left) celebrates victory against Sri Lanka with his teammate at the Hanaka Tennis Complex, Bac Ninh on 19/7. Photo: VTF

The loss of players to pickleball is not just a national team issue; it reflects the decline of a once-popular sport. Tennis has traditionally been widely played in Vietnam across all ages. However, pickleball has advantages, including its accessibility for women, lower start-up costs, and ease of play.

At the professional level, Vietnamese tennis players face obstacles in advancing their careers internationally. High costs, low prize money, and difficulty securing sponsorships hinder their development. Hoang Nam, long Vietnam's top player, relied heavily on investment and sponsorship. Globally, even players ranked near the top 150 in the ATP struggle to make a living.

Meanwhile, pickleball's rapid growth attracts sponsors. In the past two years, numerous brands have entered Vietnam, bringing international stars, including tennis legend Andre Agassi and former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard. The shift from tennis to pickleball is a global trend, especially in the US. Jack Sock, a former world number 8 tennis player now ranked 10th in men's pickleball singles, visited Vietnam last year to promote his sponsored paddle brand.

Nguyen Hong Son, General Secretary of the Vietnam Tennis Federation, suggests solutions include new mechanisms and increased support for young players. "If young players win a national junior tournament," Son said, "they will receive exemptions from certain fees and airfare support for future tournaments. We also send official letters to their local authorities to arrange timely recognition and rewards."

Vu Huu Ha believes the recent collaboration between the Federation and sponsors is crucial for retaining young tennis talent. This partnership has become even more vital as tennis faces the "formidable opponent" of pickleball. "We're grateful to the organizers and sponsors for their professionalism," he said. "They can help Vietnamese tennis navigate this challenging period."

Vy Anh