Owensboro’s Altaf Merchant recently moved up to No. 9 in the world in the pickleball global rankings for men’s doubles as he continues a streak of success this year.
Merchant, 47, is the oldest player in the top-10 rankings. There are a pair of players in their 40s, with everyone else in their 20s and 30s.
Merchant and playinger partner Zane Navratil finished 6th in an August tournament. The duo will compete again this weekend in Cincinnati.
Merchant also placed 7th/8th with playing partner Dave Weibach last weekend.
Before the Professional Pickleball Association tour was put on hold due to the coronavirus, Merchant and playing partner Jeffery Warnick finished 6th in the first PPA tournament of the year in early February in Mesa, Ariz. Later that month, Merchant and Weinbach placed 5th in the Florida Grand Slam.
