Chennai Super Champs Sign Hoang Nam Ly Ahead of WPBL Season

Chennai Super Champs have signed Hoang Nam Ly, adding a high-level international presence to their lineup as the World Pickleball League (WPBL) prepares to open Season 2. The move brings Vietnam’s most accomplished male tennis export and a rising PPA Asia pickleball competitor into a squad that mixes domestic talent with global experience.

Hoang Nam Ly completed his transition from tennis to pickleball after a decorated junior and professional tennis career. Ly won the Wimbledon boys’ doubles title in 2015 and reached an ATP singles ranking of 239 in 2022. He now sits inside the world top 50 in pickleball, bringing quick reflexes, strong net control, and a blend of power and technical shotmaking to Chennai’s roster.

The club announced the signing on January 23, adding Ly to a lineup that includes Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma (India), Ava Cavataio (USA), Tanner Tomassi (USA), Quan Do (Vietnam), Rika Fujiwara (Japan), Domenika Turkovic (Croatia), and Carlota Trevino (Mexico). Johnny Goldberg (USA) will lead the Super Champs as head coach. The mix of singles pedigree and established pickleball specialists gives Chennai options across doubles formations and strategic matchups.

WPBL Season 2 matches kick off on January 27 at Jio World Garden in Mumbai, so Ly’s integration will be tested immediately against a higher level of competition. Ly’s background suggests he will be particularly effective in tight net exchanges and at redirecting pace, skills that could change how Chennai approaches both the kitchen and transition game. For opponents, his tennis-honed anticipation and movement create new tactical variables to account for.

This signing has practical value for players and coaches watching the league. Observing Ly’s conversion offers a working model for other tennis-to-pickleball transitions, from positioning adjustments to shot selection around the non-volley zone. For local players in Chennai and across India, Ly’s presence raises the bar for elite practice partners and provides a visible example of how regional pathways can lead to international court time.

For fans, Ly’s arrival deepens Chennai Super Champs’ bench and adds a storyline to opening-week matchups at Jio World Garden. Expect close net battles, fresh strategic looks from coach Johnny Goldberg, and increased attention on how international imports shape WPBL team dynamics. The next concrete test arrives January 27 when Season 2 begins; the results will show whether Hoang Nam Ly’s tennis pedigree translates into immediate impact on the WPBL scoreboard.