Agassi’s Debut, DUPR Premium & Dubai’s $50K Pickleball Blast

Good morning, pickleballers!

It's May - wow, 2025 is moving along.

Here's your pickleball news in one easy report.

Tennis Legend Crashes Out! Agassi's Pickleball Debut Cut Short at US Open

Naples, Florida – Tennis icon Andre Agassi made his professional pickleball debut on April 30 at the US Open Pickleball Championships, but his appearance was brief. Partnering with world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, Agassi's team competed in the event.

Their run started with a three-set win against teenage players Tristan Dussault and Stevie Petropoulos, with scores of 11-8, 9-11, 11-7. However, the duo was eliminated later the same day after losing their second match to Len Yang and Trang Huynh-McClain in another three-setter: 7-11, 11-4, 11-7.

For Trang Huynh-McClain, defeating the tennis legend was "phenomenal," stating that Agassi was her "growing-up idol". During the second match, observations included Agassi hitting several shots long and struggling with his serve. His quick exit highlighted the challenges of competing at the top level in professional pickleball.

Ben Johns Reveals His Secret Weapon! Revolutionary 3D Orthotics Promise Pickleball Domination

North America – Foot Solutions, a U.S.-based footwear and orthotics retailer, has partnered with the world’s top pickleball player, Ben Johns, to launch a 3d-printed custom orthotic specifically designed for pickleball players. The new product is set to be available starting May 5, 2025, at all U.S. Foot Solutions locations and select stores in Canada.

Players seeking the orthotics will undergo an in-person foot and gait check, a digital scan, and receive a design tailored to their body. Johns, who is also a material science engineer, played a key role in developing and testing the product. He stated that the orthotic is designed to improve performance, particularly balance and movement, and help alleviate pain, fatigue, and injuries common in pickleball. This collaboration aims to meet the growing demand for gear that enhances play while protecting the body.

Unlock the PRO Stats! DUPR Launches Premium Tier for Elite Pickleball Insights

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – DUPR, the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating system, is set to launch its premium subscription service, DUPR Plus, in May 2025. The announcement was confirmed by Tito Machado and Kevin Kim at the KL Pickleball Summit 2025.

DUPR Plus is designed for players, clubs, and organisers seeking enhanced features beyond the core, free rating system. Subscribers will gain access to advanced player analytics, including detailed match statistics and skill progression charts. The premium tier also offers a completely ad-free user experience and exclusive tournament access, providing early or priority registration for certain events. Additionally, clubs using DUPR Plus will unlock premium management tools.

This launch represents DUPR's evolution, offering deeper insights and features while ensuring the basic rating and match posting remain free for all players. The service aims to support players pursuing amateur, collegiate, or professional pathways.

DUPR Fuels Asia's Next Pickleball Wave! Partnership to Forge Global Stars

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – DUPR, the renowned Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating system, has officially joined forces with UPA Asia as the Official Ratings Partner for the UPA Asia Pickleball Trailblazers Program. This significant partnership aims to propel the growth of promising young athletes and monitor their development across the continent.

The Trailblazers Program supports 12 rising stars from Asia, providing them with training opportunities in the U.S. and contracts to compete in major UPA Asia events throughout 2025 and 2026. DUPR will utilise its system to track player performance with real-time data, offering a vital benchmark for their progress and ability to compete on a global scale.

Kimberly Koh, UPA Asia's Managing Director, emphasised that the partnership gives their athletes a "real benchmark for success," focusing on tracking growth beyond just winning. Tito Machado, DUPR CEO, highlighted Asia as an "exciting region" and expressed pride in helping these players measure progress and connect globally through DUPR. This collaboration provides Asian players with crucial tools like skill tracking and global exposure to reach the next level.

Canon Captures the Courts! Imaging Giant Lends Tech Power to Malaysia's Pickleball Boom

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Canon Malaysia served as the Official Imaging Partner for Malaysia's inaugural Pickleball Summit and the Alliance Bank KL Open Pickleball Championship 2025. Held in Kuala Lumpur, the event aimed to propel the nation's emerging pickleball scene through sports innovation and community engagement. The summit attracted a significant turnout, including over 656 players, 300 industry leaders, and a large community of fans, showcasing the sport's fast-growing interest in the country. Canon presented its latest imaging tools, such as cameras and live-streaming equipment, designed to help players, clubs, and venues easily record and share match moments. They also demonstrated solutions for sports marketing and operations. Canon's support reflects its Kyosei philosophy, emphasising health, creativity, and unity. This partnership highlights how technology companies are actively supporting the rapid development of pickleball in Malaysia.

Vietnam Invades Malaysia! Explosive Paddle Brand Facolos Lands with Pro Power

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Vietnamese pickleball paddle brand Facolos has made an explosive entry into the Malaysian market, underscoring its commitment with a significant signing ceremony at Ajak courts in Jiospace. Partnering exclusively with DINKiT Store as its official distributor, Facolos laid out ambitious plans to redefine the sport through equipment innovation and vibrant community building. Facolos' leadership cited Malaysia's "incredible energy" as a key reason for choosing the country as their next major destination. A central part of this launch is a high-profile partnership with leading Malaysian pro Colin Wong. Wong will act as a brand ambassador and a mentor, symbolising Facolos' dedication to developing local players into global contenders. Facolos also introduced a team of Malaysian players, aiming to elevate the sport's level, expand participation, and unite the community. This move signals a serious investment by Facolos in Malaysia's booming pickleball scene.

Dubai Unleashes $50,000 Pickleball Blast! Sania Mirza & Disha Patani Bring Star Power

Dubai, UAE – The inaugural Pickleball Open 2025 is set to debut in Dubai from May 8 to 11 at the PickleTurf Pickleball Club. Hosted by Global Sports in partnership with PickleTurf and the Dubai Sports Council, the tournament features a significant $50,000 prize pool.

This event aims to become one of the Middle East’s most high-profile pickleball tournaments and attract elite players from around the world. Adding considerable star power, actor Disha Patani will compete, while six-time Grand Slam tennis champion Sania Mirza is supporting the event, working to expand pickleball's presence in the region. Mirza's involvement brings valuable experience and mentorship. The tournament hopes to showcase pickleball as an inclusive sport for everyone in the Middle East and South Asia. The PickleTurf Pickleball Club at Just Padel Mina Rashid Hangar -4 will host the high-paced action.

Dream Achieved! Kuwait Stages Historic First-Ever Pickleball Tournament

Salwa, Kuwait – Kuwait's sports community celebrated a major milestone on April 18 with the hosting of the nation's first-ever pickleball tournament. The event, held at The British School of Kuwait in Salwa, brought together 60 competitors of various skill levels on six courts.

For Hani Haidar, founder of Pickleball Kuwait, staging the tournament was a dream come true. Haidar, who fell in love with pickleball while studying in the UK, worked to bring the sport back home and grow the community. The one-day tournament also welcomed 10 sponsors and an estimated 100 spectators, highlighting the sport's growing interest in the country.

Haidar expressed his joy, noting the courts were full and reflecting on how the community grew from just a few friends. This successful inaugural event signals that pickleball in Kuwait is trending in the right direction and has a bright future.

India Gets Official GO! National Recognition Propels Pickleball Towards Asia Cup & Olympic Dreams

New Delhi, India – The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) has achieved a major milestone, gaining official recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as the sport's national governing body. This pivotal decision immediately paves the way for India to host the Pickleball Asia Cup 2025, marking a significant step for the sport in the country.

This recognition is seen as crucial for the IPA, a Class A member of the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), in pursuing the shared goal of seeing pickleball included in the Asian Games and eventually the Olympics. IPA President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar described it as a "defining moment" focused on building talent, creating opportunities, and ensuring every Indian can access pickleball. GPF President Javier Regalado noted India's growing passion and anticipates the country emerging as a powerhouse.

Pickleball's popularity in India has surged, with a 159% increase in players from 2019 to 2022. The IPA plans to fuel this growth with structured programs in schools, a national certification for coaches and referees, expanding the Women’s Pickleball Cup, and establishing youth training centres. With global partnerships and increasing player engagement, India is now well-positioned to lead in pickleball development.

MLP Shake-Up! New Rules Crack Down on Serves, Subs, and Sideline Drama

Columbus, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced significant rule changes, implemented starting at MLP Columbus. These updates target three key areas: serves, on-site player alternates, and team benches.

The new service rule aligns MLP with PPA serve rules, requiring the ball release to be no higher than the hip bone and a "clearly low to high swing". This moves away from inconsistencies seen previously and potentially limits harder serves. For Premier level teams that use an on-site alternate player instead of their rostered six players, there will now be a penalty of one point in each doubles game the alternate plays in. This addresses situations that arose in MLP Orlando. Finally, teams will now remain at the same bench for the entire match, rather than switching between games. This change, according to the source, may help prevent sideline encounters. These updates aim to refine gameplay and potentially reduce courtside tensions.

Pickleball Stampede Hits Austin! MLP Returns for Record-Breaking Pro-Am Showdown

Austin, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) is set to make its third stop of the 2025 season in Austin, Texas, from May 23-26 during Memorial Day weekend. Known as a hub for pickleball and the location of the first-ever MLP event, Austin is preparing for what is anticipated to be one of MLP’s largest events yet.

The tournament will feature all six Challenger Level teams making their season debut, alongside five Premier Level teams. In a significant addition this year, MLP Austin will also host amateur brackets for both singles and doubles, using formats similar to PPA Tour tournaments. This inclusion of amateur competition is expected to make the sport more accessible and has already seen high demand. With significant crowds expected due to pickleball's rising popularity in the city, MLP Austin aims to be one of the biggest tournaments in the city's history.

Level Up Your Game! Digital Coaching & AI Tech Transform Pickleball Training

New York, USA – Pickleball players around the globe are increasingly turning to digital resources and advanced technology to elevate their skills as online platforms and AI tools reshape training methods. These digital solutions offer unprecedented accessibility and flexibility for players of all levels.

Online learning platforms feature a variety of courses, from fundamentals for beginners on Coursera and Skillshare to detailed lessons and advanced techniques on platforms like Udemy and MasterClass. Additional resources such as The Art of Pickleball and Better Pickleball provide instructional videos and training options, including live interactive sessions.

Technology is also stepping onto the court, with AI-powered tools like the SwingVision app offering players real-time feedback and performance analysis, tracking crucial data such as shot speed and placement. These digital options enable players to train at their own speed, from any location, providing solutions tailored to every skill level, often at little to no cost. This trend is fundamentally changing how pickleball is learned and is expected to continue growing as the sport expands worldwide.

Hollywood Goes WILD for Pickleball! Ryan Reynolds Turns Movie Stages into Courts

Los Angeles, USA – Actor Ryan Reynolds is partnering with Warner Bros. to launch “Maximum Effort Pickleball,” a project converting unused Hollywood studio stages into uniquely themed pickleball courts. The initiative aims to generate revenue during production lulls by renting out courts and offering exclusive experiences to celebrities and fans.

The soundstages will be transformed with designs inspired by movie genres, such as sci-fi and noir. Plans include hourly court rentals, fan meetups, corporate leagues, and celebrity tournaments. VIP packages might even feature warm-up sessions narrated by Reynolds. Reynolds himself quipped, “When life gives you a production slowdown, you build a pickleball empire”.

This venture taps into pickleball’s rapid growth in the U.S. and its popularity among Hollywood stars, many of whom already play or invest in the sport. By blending sports, entertainment, and business, “Maximum Effort Pickleball” seeks to become a significant new trend in Tinseltown.

Brazil Crowns Its Pickleball Elite! National Championship Decides Team Selection

São Paulo, Brazil – The Campeonato Brasileiro de Pickleball, Brazil's largest national pickleball event, is scheduled to take place from May 1 to 4 at the Sesi Vila Leopoldina in São Paulo. Promoted by the Confederação Brasileira de Pickleball, the championship will draw athletes from various regions across the country.

Beyond the competition for titles, the event serves as a vital selection process for athletes aiming to join the Brazilian National Team. The championship also incorporates activities focused on the sport's development, including referee training courses and teacher capacity building programs to help spread pickleball in schools, clubs, and sports centres throughout Brazil. With high expectations for both turnout and technical skill, this championship marks an important step in popularising pickleball in Brazil, contributing to its growth and the formation of new talent.

From NBA Hardwood to Pickleball Court: Terrence Ross Finds His New Obsession

Orlando, USA – Former NBA star Terrence Ross, known for his time with the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic, has discovered a new outlet for his competitive drive since retiring: pickleball. Seeking an activity to fill the void, Ross began playing on weekends with his wife and friends, quickly becoming hooked.

Ross initially expected to dominate the sport due to his athleticism but was humbled by experienced players. He found learning to control his power challenging, often hitting the ball too hard. However, his background in ping pong proved beneficial, aiding his transition, particularly with serving and adding spin. Ross showcased his newfound passion by participating in MLP Orlando, where he played to raise money for charity with the Orlando Squeeze. He described pickleball as a "great time" and intends to play more.