Finding the Angle: Gabe Tardio on Asia, Adaptation, and Ambition in 2026

At 20 years old, Gabe Tardio has already cracked the top tier of professional pickleball. The Bolivia-born phenom sits at No.2 in Men’s Doubles, No.6 in Mixed Doubles, and has over 40 PPA gold medals. But he’s not interested in staying comfortable.

For 2026, Tardio is looking for a new angle and has new targets in mind: new tournaments, new challenges, and a new paddle partnership.

One of those targets? PPA Tour Asia.

“I had a couple friends that went there last year, including my doubles partner Ben Johns,” Tardio says of the inaugural Asia season in 2025. “It looked awesome! The crowds were large there and people are really into it. I’m looking forward to going myself.”

What caught his attention wasn’t just the venues or the competition, it was the energy. 

“The main thing I took away when I watched is that the people there just absolutely love it. They’re so passionate, they got so into it.”

The Adaptation Game

Asia is a laboratory of variables; new players and new environments. For a player who thrives on solving puzzles in real time, that’s exactly the appeal. 

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge in Asia. I know the play style over there is different, and you’re playing in different conditions as well. It’s all about making adjustments and that’s one of the reasons why I love the game.”

For Tardio, Asia represents the adaptation challenge at scale.

The Facolos Fit

This cerebral approach to pickleball extends to his paddle choices and recently led him to a new partnership.

Tardio has signed with Facolos, one of PPA Tour Asia’s official paddle partners and a Vietnam-based brand. For a player with Asia firmly in his sights and a brand looking to go truly global, the alignment made sense.

“One of the things I really wanted to do was go to Asia, compete outside of the United States, and play tournaments all around the world,” Tardio explains. “Facolos being an Asia-based company made sense and I genuinely think they have the best paddle. They’re innovating – they’re not going to be left behind.”

Control in a Power Era

In an era where paddle technology races toward maximum power and pop, Tardio remains a committed contrarian. His game is built on placement, spin, and angles – not simply hitting harder than the opponent. Naturally, his paddle choices follow the same logic.

“Funnily enough, a lot of the new tech in paddles is just power, and for me power doesn’t actually suit my game. I’m more about having control and spin, trying to create angles.”

His specs reflect that philosophy: 16mm thickness for the control-power balance, elongated shape for reach and court coverage. “I choke up on the grip, so having a long handle is unnecessary. The elongated version adds reach, you get a bigger face so you’re not going to miss as much.”

A paddle dealbreaker? Anything that pushes him away from his thinking game. 

“No spin and too much power is a no from me, because then I’m just slapping the ball around, not creating and not making angles. For me, the beauty of the game is not just hitting hard, it’s thinking about what you’re going to do next, having good placement and moving the opponent.”

Patience and Speed

That same philosophy – thinking over reacting – defines how he balances patience and aggression on court. And for Tardio, the thrill isn’t just in the execution; it’s in the anticipation.

“You want to be able to hit 100 dinks in a row, but you also want to be able to speed up from anywhere. That’s where the game is so much fun – you’ve got to wait for the right moment and be patient.”

At 20 and already ranked No.2 in Men’s Doubles, he’s focused on staying ahead of the pickleball curve..

 “I’m still working on a lot of areas. The sport is evolving – new paddle technology, new players with different play styles. I’m working on being more aggressive with my dinks and thirds.”

And part of that evolution means seeking out new competition. Asia represents exactly that – new player pools, new conditions, new challenges.

What’s Next

Tardio’s 2026 calendar is already taking shape. “I’ll play around 25 tournaments this year, maybe more. I will be playing a lot, training a lot, and going to Asia to experience what it’s all about over there. Basically, just a lot of pickle.”

For a player who’s spent his career finding angles others miss, PPA Tour Asia represents the next opportunity to do exactly that.