The Lob Serve: A Transcontinental Tactic Steals the Spotlight at the 2025 PPA Australia Open
The lob serve—a high, arcing shot that floats deep into the opponent’s court—has long been a divisive tactic in pickleball. While some players dismiss it as a gimmick, others, like Southeast Asia’s Quang “QD” Dong, wield it as a strategic weapon. During his semifinal clash against American Gabe Tardio at the 2025 PPA Australia Open, Dong’s deft use of the lob serve became a pivotal storyline, showcasing its growing influence in the sport’s global evolution.
From Niche to Necessity: The Lob Serve’s Rise
Originating as a surprise tactic in recreational play, the lob serve has gained professional traction in recent years. Unlike power-driven drives or spin-heavy serves, the lob serve forces opponents to retreat, neutralizing aggressive returners by making them generate their own pace. “It’s about control,” explains PPA coach Simone Jardim. “Against players who thrive on rhythm, the lob serve disrupts timing and opens up the court for the server.”
Dong, a crafty baseliner, deployed this strategy masterfully in Game 2 of his match against Tardio. After losing the first game 11-5 to Tardio’s blistering angles, Dong shifted gears, peppering Tardio with lob serves that pushed the American beyond the baseline. The tactic paid off: Dong raced to a 7-1 lead, eventually claiming the second game 11-3.
American Influence Meets Aussie Adaptation
The lob serve’s prominence at the Melbourne event underscores pickleball’s cross-pollination of styles. Australian commentators noted that the tactic was rare locally until U.S. pros like Rob Cassidy and Wes Gabson popularized it during exhibition tours. “We don’t typically lob here—it’s considered cheeky,” laughed Australian pro Marcel Shan, a local lob-serve specialist. “But after seeing Yanks like Gabson use it to frustrate power players, we’ve added it to our toolkit.”
Dong’s performance mirrored this trend. By blending Southeast Asian defensive agility with a serve borrowed from American strategy, he exposed Tardio’s discomfort with resetting deep balls. “I watched tape of [Tardio] struggling against lob serves in Albuquerque,” Dong later revealed. “In Melbourne, I made it his problem.”
Controversy and Cultural Shifts
Not everyone applauds the lob serve’s rise. Critics argue it slows the game’s pace, prioritizing patience over power. Even Tardio quipped post-match, “I hate the lob serve—it’s like a math test mid-rally.” Yet its effectiveness is undeniable. According to PPA Australia stats, lob serves at the event had a 68% win rate when landing within two feet of the baseline, compared to 52% for drive serves.
For Australia, the tactic symbolizes the sport’s rapid globalization. “Ten years ago, we were all just bunting dinks,” said tournament director David J. “Now, thanks to events like this, we’re studying international film and expanding our playbooks.”
The Future of the Lob
As pickleball’s meta evolves, so too will the lob serve. At the 2025 Open, players like Dong demonstrated its value as a disruptor, particularly against power-centric Americans. Yet as Tyson McGuffin—Tardio’s final opponent—warned, “It’s a tool, not a crutch. If you lean on it too hard, someone’s gonna smash it back faster.”
For now, though, the lob serve reigns as a testament to pickleball’s borderless creativity. And in Melbourne, where the sport’s international future felt palpably present, it was a reminder that even the quirkiest tactics can become championship currency.
—With reporting from PPA Tour analysts and interviews conducted at the 2025 PPA Australia Open.
Gabe Tardio’s Melbourne Magic: American Star Secures Historic Final Berth at 2025 PPA Australia Pickleball Open
Thrilling Three-Game Semifinal Showdown Sets Stage for Championship Sunday Clash Against Tyson McGuffin
MELBOURNE, Australia — The 2025 PPA Australia Pickleball Open has already etched itself into the sport’s history as a celebration of global talent, but Thursday’s men’s singles semifinal between American phenom Gabe Tardio and Southeast Asian standout Quang “QD” Dong elevated the event to new heights. Under the buzzing lights of the Melbourne Convention Center, Tardio delivered a masterclass in resilience and tactical precision, defeating Dong in a three-game thriller (11-5, 3-11, 11-5) to secure his first-ever PPA final appearance. The match, played before a raucous, multicultural crowd, encapsulated the rapid growth of pickleball Down Under—and the electric future of the sport worldwide.
Game 1: Tardio’s Blitz Sets the Tone
From the opening serve, Tardio unleashed a barrage of laser-guided angles and blistering drives, exploiting Dong’s backhand with ruthless efficiency. The 22-year-old Floridian raced to a 6-2 lead, painting the left sideline repeatedly—a strategy he later credited to pre-match film study. Dong, known for his cat-quick reflexes, struggled to counter Tardio’s pace, misfiring on key put-aways. A late timeout by Dong at 10-4 did little to stem the tide, as Tardio closed out the first game 11-5 with a crosscourt dagger that left the crowd gasping.
“He’s playing with heat on his paddle,” remarked the broadcast crew, referencing Tardio’s unorthodox pre-match fuel: a leftover Nutella pizza.
Game 2: Dong’s Lob-Serve Resurgence
Dong recalibrated in the second frame, weaponizing the lob serve—a tactic borrowed from American pickleball influences—to disrupt Tardio’s rhythm. The shift paid immediate dividends: Dong sprinted to a 7-1 lead, mixing deft drops with jaw-dropping retrieves. Tardio, uncharacteristically flat, struggled to generate power against Dong’s off-speed offerings. A crowd-pleasing 18-shot rally at 10-3 sealed Dong’s 11-3 rout, injecting new life into his vocal Southeast Asian supporters.
“Australians love an underdog,” the commentator noted, “and Dong’s fightback has this crowd roaring.”
Game 3: The Nutella-Fueled Closing Act
The decider became a showcase of Tardio’s strategic maturity. Reverting to first-game tactics, he peppered the left sideline and unleashed topspin drives that skidded off the Melbourne hardcourt. A 6-0 opening run, highlighted by a full-stretch get that left Dong sprawled at the kitchen line, silenced doubters. Dong clawed back to 10-5 with a flick-of-the-wrist winner, but Tardio’s match-point reset—a lunging backhand that kissed the baseline—sealed his victory, triggering a roar from the pro-American contingent.
“I just had no expectations,” Tardio later admitted, though his play suggested otherwise.
Post-Match Interview: Pizza, Angles, and a New Mindset
In a lighthearted courtside interview, Tardio revealed the secrets behind his breakthrough performance:
On Strategy: “I’ve played QD three times now. His flick is weaker, so I targeted that. Angles over power—it’s my jam.”
On Inspiration: “Watching [Ben] Shelton’s semifinal run in tennis lit a fire. I decided to play freer, and it worked.”
On the Nutella Pizza: “Leftover from last night! Maybe it’s my new pre-match ritual.”
When asked about facing top-seeded Tyson McGuffin in Sunday’s final, Tardio grinned: “He’s a legend. But in Australia, anything can happen.”
In-Depth Summary: A Watershed Moment for Global Pickleball
The 2025 PPA Australia Open has transcended sport, becoming a cultural exchange. American lob serves and power plays have merged with Australia’s trademark agility and defensive grit, creating a hybrid style thrilling fans worldwide. Tardio’s win—and Dong’s gallant effort—underscore the tournament’s role as a bridge between continents, with Southeast Asian players now firmly in the elite conversation.
For Australia, the event marks a milestone. A sport barely a decade old here now packs convention centers, fueled by coffee-loving Melburnians and a growing cohort of homegrown talent. As Tardio and McGuffin prepare to battle on Championship Sunday, one truth is undeniable: Pickleball is no longer just an American obsession. It’s a global spectacle—and Melbourne is its latest stage.
The 2025 PPA Australia Pickleball Open concludes Sunday with finals in men’s and women’s singles. All matches stream live on PPATour.com.
we lived in adelaide for a year so very partial to australians. love how the root for the underdog though they are a highly competitive nation!
ReplyDeletegreat match with incredible angle shots of precision!