Chaos on the Court, Calm Off It: World #6 Quang Duong's Father Reveals the Secret to His Pickleball Success
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Duc Duong, the father and coach of world number six pickleball sensation Quang Duong, has shared his unconventional yet highly effective training philosophy, emphasising the creation of "chaos" during practice to ensure his son remains composed and performs under pressure in matches. This intense and targeted approach, revealed during their visit to Kuala Lumpur for the Panas Cup 2025, contrasts sharply with traditional long hours of training, focusing instead on quality and unpredictability.
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In an exclusive interview during their time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the Panas Cup 2025, Duc Duong provided a fascinating insight into the rigorous training regimen that has propelled his son, Quang Duong, to the upper echelons of professional pickleball. Duc, the unwavering force behind Quang's meteoric rise, explained that his coaching style is deliberately "intense, focused, and completely counterintuitive". His ultimate goal in training is to "break him".
Duc elaborated on this seemingly harsh approach, stating with a smile, “I want him to look bad in training,”. The rationale behind this is that mistakes and breakdowns during practice sessions offer invaluable opportunities to identify and rectify weaknesses before they can manifest in the high-stakes environment of a professional match. This philosophy marks a significant shift from Quang's earlier training in tennis, where he dedicated ten hours a day to on-court drills and physical conditioning.
Following a wrist injury that temporarily halted his tennis aspirations, Quang transitioned to pickleball, and his father adjusted his training methods accordingly. Now, Quang's daily training is condensed to just two intense hours, split between focused court drills and conditioning exercises. Duc emphasises that these two hours are characterised by "real chaos," where they simulate unpredictable game scenarios, rapid-fire exchanges, and even mental stress to stress-test every facet of Quang's game. “We train to break him in practice so he won’t break in a match,” Duc succinctly stated.
This training philosophy has yielded remarkable results. While Quang's tennis game was heavily reliant on rhythm, Duc deliberately steered their pickleball training in the opposite direction. Observing that top pickleball players often slowed down the game, Duc and Quang decided to "speed it up" and "break rhythm instead of building it". Their approach centres on controlled aggression, encouraging Quang to attack strategically, even during the soft game.
Initially, this unconventional style drew criticism, with some suggesting Quang wasn't playing "right". However, Duc noted with satisfaction that "now they’re copying him,". The Duong system prioritises performance over trophies. When asked about Quang's long-term goals, Duc's focus wasn't on rankings or records but on “surviving every point. Performing every match,”. He believes that a player can lose badly but still perform well, and conversely, win easily while playing poorly, with the latter not representing progress.
Even in practice matches, Duc prioritises exposing Quang's limits over achieving victory. A training match won without struggle is considered a missed opportunity for growth. “A medal means nothing if your game didn’t improve,” Duc asserted, emphasising the importance of winning even when things are difficult. This philosophy underscores a focus on continuous improvement and mental fortitude, particularly valuable for young players in Asia, where the pressure to win can sometimes overshadow development.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Duc Duong's coaching methodology for his son Quang represents a fascinating and potentially revolutionary approach to high-performance training in pickleball. His emphasis on creating chaos and discomfort in practice to build resilience and adaptability in matches is a departure from more traditional, rhythm-based training regimens. The results speak for themselves, with Quang Duong's rapid ascent to the top of the professional rankings.
The focus on performance over mere results, and the prioritization of struggling and overcoming challenges in training, highlights a deep understanding of the mental aspects of competitive sports. Duc's philosophy of "training to break him" aims to forge a player who can withstand pressure and perform consistently, regardless of the circumstances.
The fact that other players on the professional tour are reportedly beginning to adopt elements of Quang's aggressive and rhythm-disrupting style is a testament to the effectiveness of the Duong discipline. Duc's willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and focus on tailored, intense training underscores the potential for innovation in pickleball coaching. His insights offer valuable lessons not only for aspiring pickleball players and coaches but also for anyone involved in the development of high-performing athletes in any sport.