Dubai-based Filipina junior pickleball athlete Rain Isabella Astaño is taking her game to the world stage as she begins her quest to bring home a medal for the Philippines at the Heineken Pickleball World Cup.

The 14-year-old is representing the Philippines in the Junior Division of the tournament in Da Nang, Vietnam, running from Sunday (August 30) to September 6.

The tournament is expected to bring together more than 5,000 athletes from 81 countries, putting Rain among a growing international field of young players competing in one of the sport's major global events.

For Rain, the trip to Vietnam marks another step in a pickleball journey that began in Dubai.

Born and raised in the UAE, the teenager developed her game through local training and competitions before taking her first international competitive steps at the Asia Pickleball Junior Open 2026 in Thailand.

It was a debut that gave her plenty of reason to believe she could compete beyond the UAE. Rain reached the quarterfinals in two divisions in Thailand, finishing eighth in Girls U16 Doubles and sixth in the Girls U14 Division.

“Thailand was probably one of my proudest experiences because it was my first international tournament,” Rain tells Expat Media in an exclusive interview ahead of her Vietnam quest. “I didn’t really know what to expect or how I would compare against players from other countries.”

Her quarterfinal appearances were a surprise even to her. “Making the quarterfinals in both Girls U16 Doubles and Girls U14 made me really happy. I remember thinking, ‘Wait… I actually made it this far!’”

The experience, however, did more than add a milestone to her young sporting career. It showed Rain how much further she wanted to go. “It gave me more confidence, but it also showed me how much more there is to learn. I came home wanting to train even harder,” she says.

From playing with her parents in Dubai to representing the Philippines

Rain's introduction to pickleball was a family affair. Her parents introduced her to the sport, initially as something they could play together for fun. Her father later began training her, teaching her the fundamentals and spending more time with her on the court.

As her skills developed, so did her competitive side. “I actually got into pickleball because of my parents. They were the ones who introduced me to the sport. At first, I was just playing with them for fun and didn’t really think it would become something serious,” she says.

“When I started joining tournaments, that’s when I realized, ‘Okay… I really love this.’ It became more than just something I did with my family. It became something I really wanted to work hard at and see how far I could go,” she says.

What keeps her hooked is the mental side of the sport. “I love that every game feels different. You can’t just hit the ball hard and expect to win. You have to think, be patient and know when to attack,” she says.

And then there are the moments when training finally pays off. “I also love the feeling when something you’ve been practicing finally works in a match. Especially when you hit a shot and even you’re surprised it went in! Those moments make me want to keep training and getting better.”

Now, she is preparing to put those skills to the test in Vietnam. When Rain found out she would represent the Philippines at the World Cup, she says several emotions arrived at once. “At first, I honestly couldn’t believe it. I was excited, nervous and really proud all at the same time,” she admits.

Representing the Philippines carries particular significance for a teenager whose life has been shaped by both countries. “Representing the Philippines feels completely different because I’m not only playing for myself. Knowing that I’ll be wearing the Philippine colours makes it feel much bigger,” she says.

Rain says she has been preparing physically and mentally, but she also wants to take in the experience. “Of course I want to do well, but I also want to enjoy it, learn from the players I meet and come home knowing that I gave everything I could.”

Rain's ambitions extend well beyond this week's World Cup. Her long-term goal is to become a professional pickleball player, compete at the highest level and take part in more international tournaments.

She also hopes to continue representing both the Philippines and the UAE in her sporting journey. But while the teenager has her sights set on the professional circuit, she says she wants to remain grounded.

“I hope my journey can inspire other young people. I want them to see that you don’t have to start as the best player,” she says, “If you really love something, stay determined, stay focused and keep working for it. Everyone has a chance to make it, you just have to believe in yourself and be willing to put in the work.” PIA/Expat Media