Vadim and Maxim Maltsev are helping put Kazakhstan on the international pickleball map. Both brothers began their sporting journeys in tennis before becoming professional pickleball players and founding Twins Pickleball.
Key Highlights
- World Cup pioneers: Vadim and Maxim Maltsev became the first athletes from Kazakhstan to qualify for the Pickleball World Cup after transitioning from tennis.
- Building the sport: The AlmaU students are developing a graduation project focused on growing pickleball across Kazakhstan, with a national federation among the potential long-term goals.
- Growing partnerships: Through their venture, Twins Pickleball, the brothers have secured support from a sportswear brand, an Australian pickleball equipment brand and Almaty’s MetaBody clinic.
- Expanding their reach: Alongside plans for an AlmaU master class, they have international events scheduled in Germany, Türkiye, Argentina and Greece.
From Tennis to the Pickleball World Cup
In early September, they competed in Da Nang, Vietnam, after becoming the first athletes from Kazakhstan to qualify for the Pickleball World Cup. However, their ambitions extend beyond competing internationally. The brothers are also working to establish a stronger foundation for the sport in their home country.
Beyond the Court: Building a Pickleball Business
The Maltsev brothers are combining their experience as athletes with an entrepreneurial approach to growing pickleball. Vadim studies Sports Management at AlmaU, while Maxim is pursuing a different field at the same university.
Together, they are preparing a graduation project focused on popularising and developing pickleball in Kazakhstan. Their research examines how other countries establish clubs, organise tournaments and attract partners, with the aim of identifying practical ways to develop the sport locally.
One potential long-term step is the establishment of a national pickleball federation, which could help support the sport's development across the country.
Twins Pickleball Builds Its Partner Network
While working towards that broader goal, the brothers are already developing Twins Pickleball and securing support independently. Their existing partners include a sportswear brand, an Australian pickleball equipment brand and MetaBody clinic in Almaty, which serves as their medical partner.
Discussions with an American brand are also ongoing, potentially opening the door to further collaboration. These partnerships provide a starting point for the brothers as they work to grow their venture and promote pickleball in Kazakhstan.
Why Kazakhstan Could Be Ready for Pickleball
The Maltsev brothers see an opportunity in Kazakhstan's growing interest in racket sports. According to the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, more than 33,000 people played tennis in 2025. Meanwhile, the country's padel community had grown to more than 1,500 players, despite there being only 17 specialised courts when the figures were published.
This interest in racket sports could create room for pickleball to gain traction, particularly because the game can be introduced without purpose-built facilities.
Accessibility Could Help Grow the Game
Unlike sports that depend on specialised courts, pickleball can be played in a range of suitable spaces, including school gyms, sports halls and courtyards. With basic equipment and an appropriate playing area, newcomers can try the game without needing to rent a dedicated pickleball court. This flexibility could make the sport more accessible to students, schoolchildren and families, helping the brothers introduce it to a wider audience.
An AlmaU faculty member who teaches Sports Management praised their approach, noting that the pair were already thinking beyond their roles as athletes and considering the business side of sports development. The faculty member also highlighted that passion alone is not enough to make sport accessible, as successful initiatives require the ability to manage and develop a project.
Four More International Events on the Calendar
Alongside their local development efforts, the Maltsev brothers have four more international events planned:
- Germany: Late October 2026
- Türkiye: November 2026
- Argentina: Later in 2026
- Greece: 2027
These competitions will give the brothers further opportunities to compete internationally while continuing their journey in the sport. For Vadim and Maxim Maltsev, qualifying for the Pickleball World Cup is only one part of a broader ambition.
Through Twins Pickleball, university initiatives and growing commercial partnerships, they are working to create more opportunities for the sport in Kazakhstan. Their efforts could help lay the groundwork for a wider national pickleball community, with the possibility of a federation forming further down the line.
