Grayson Goldin Signs with UPA, Securing His PPA Tour Spot
What's the Score?
Top APP Tour men's singles player Grayson Goldin has signed a deal with the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the parent company of the PPA Tour. This move comes shortly after Goldin won his first men's singles title of the year at the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic. The agreement allows him to become a regular on the PPA Tour without needing to play qualifiers.
Hit it deeper!
Grayson Goldin, widely recognised as one of the top men's singles players on the APP Tour, has made a significant career move by signing with the United Pickleball Association (UPA). The UPA is the parent company of the Carvana PPA Tour, which is the professional touring circuit for pickleball. This deal was finalised after Goldin recently ended a year-long drought for a men's singles title by winning the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati earlier this month.
Goldin's signing with the UPA is particularly notable given his prior situation. Despite being ranked among the top 23 players, he was not eligible to compete on the PPA Tour because he was an unsigned player. He had previously expressed frustration on social media about being overlooked despite his consistent strong performances on the APP Tour. This new contract with the UPA directly addresses that issue, as it will allow him to become a regular participant on the PPA Tour. Crucially, he will no longer be required to play in the PPA Tour qualifiers to gain entry into events.
The recent win in Cincinnati clearly provided a significant boost to his confidence. Goldin expressed his feelings about the move, stating, "I believe I’m one of the best singles players in the world. Getting that win really meant a lot to me". He added, "That was my goal – to be on the PPA... I didn't know how I was going to get there, and so I'm happy. It was a grind. I'm definitely happy".
Under the terms of the deal, Goldin is obligated to participate in some PPA Challenger events throughout the year. This increased visibility on the UPA circuit is also expected to lead to potential brand sponsorships, including deals for shoes, apparel, or a paddle sponsorship. While he currently plays with Paddletek, having previously used JOOLA, Goldin remains a paddle free agent in terms of an exclusive endorsement.
Goldin has a documented history of success on the APP Tour. He has also secured wins over notable PPA Tour players such as Ben Johns, Jack Sock (twice), Michael Loyd, Gabe Joseph, Julian Arnold, and Donald Young, among others. The PPA Tour leadership is reportedly excited about bringing Goldin into their fold. Chris Patrick, PPA Deputy Commissioner, commented, “Grayson is an electrifying personality and has established himself as a top-tier singles player. We are extremely excited to have him join the tour and can’t wait to see where he goes from here". While he is a recognised name in men's singles, Goldin is considered a relative newcomer in men's and mixed doubles, having not yet played a PPA Tour match in these categories in 2025. It remains to be seen who he will partner with for PPA Tour events this year. His eligibility to play in Major League Pickleball (MLP) has also now changed, making it possible for an MLP team to approach him.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Grayson Goldin's signing with the UPA marks a significant step in his career and highlights the evolving landscape of professional pickleball, particularly the relationship and player movement between the APP and PPA tours. For Goldin, it represents the culmination of a "grind" on the APP Tour to achieve his goal of playing regularly on the PPA. This move validates his consistent performance and addresses the previous barrier preventing top unsigned players from competing at the highest level of the PPA Tour. For the PPA, adding a player of Goldin's calibre, known for his "electrifying personality" and strong singles play, enhances their talent pool and provides exciting new matchups for fans. His transition also raises questions about how players will navigate opportunities across different leagues like the PPA and MLP, and who he might partner with in doubles as he expands his PPA presence. Ultimately, Goldin's signing is a positive development for him personally and signals a dynamic period of player movement and tour integration in professional pickleball.