Anna Bright’s Take on the Hanoi Cup Experience

Professional pickleball has officially gone global. Anna Bright, currently ranked #2 in the world, recently traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam, for the  MB Hanoi Cup. While the trip provided plenty of content for her vlogs, it also offered a masterclass in how playing conditions and regional cultures are reshaping the professional game.

Here is a breakdown of what "The Pros" are used to in the West versus the unique challenges and excitement found in Southeast Asia.

The Environment: Heat, Humidity, and "Perspiratory Issues"

In the United States, most major tournaments are held in highly controlled environments or outdoor venues with specific airflow standards. In Hanoi, the experience was far more intense.

 While the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena had AC, Bright noted it didn't match American "standards of coolness." With thousands of fans in the stadium and high-intensity court lighting, body heat became a significant factor.

Bright described "ringing out her shirt" after matches. Hydration became a scientific endeavor, with pros "pounding electrolytes" and coconut water just to avoid cramping.

The Equipment: "Mushy" vs. "Hard"

Perhaps the most technical revelation was the choice of ball. The ball is the soul of the game, and in Asia, it’s a different beast entirely. The US pro circuit typically uses the Lifetime ball, which is one of the hardest and fastest balls available. The tournament used JOOLA ball that reacted uniquely to the Vietnamese climate. 

In the tropical humidity, the JOOLA ball became "mushy" and heavy. As Bright noted: 

"This thing was playing like pretty mushy... and I do not think it was the optimal ball for these hot and muggy conditions. I think in a colder climate I would love to try this ball out... but this thing was playing so soft, and it was getting soft fast, and it was getting really, really heavy just because of how humid it was."

This effectively neutralized the power games that many US pros rely on. Bright observed that it was much harder to "finish" points, leading to extended firefights reminiscent of "2022 pickleball" where paddles had less pop and grit.