Pro Sweeps in Mumbai, DUPR Goes AI, Lenhard Shocks No. 1

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Sweeping Victories and Tiebreaker Thrillers Mark Opening of Global Sports Pickleball Pro Action

Mumbai, India – The Global Sports Pickleball tournament roared to life on Day 1, establishing early dominance for key franchises and setting the stage for a fierce playoff race. In a display of sheer power, the Bengaluru Blazers and Coimbatore Super Smashers delivered emphatic statements in the Pro Division, separating themselves from the pack immediately.

The Bengaluru Blazers produced the day's most commanding performance, dismantling the Ahmedabad Olympians in a 4–0 sweep. Led by the precision of Phuc Huynh in singles, the Blazers showcased depth across all categories, capping their perfect day with a narrow victory in men’s doubles to secure the highest point differential of the tournament so far. Matching their intensity, the Coimbatore Super Smashers cruised through Group B, handing the Nashik Ninjas a 4–0 defeat while conceding minimal points.

While some teams dominated, others fought tooth and nail. The Madras Marinas edged out the Delhi Snipers 3–2 in a nail-biter decided by a dramatic 24–22 tiebreaker. The Hyderabad Vikings also found the winner's circle, defeating the Jaipur Stallions 3–1 thanks to Thomas Yu’s leadership in singles play. Later, Hyderabad survived another scare against the Ahmedabad Olympians, trading wins across formats before clinching the tie 3–2 via a 21–16 tiebreaker.

Action in the Challenger Division proved equally competitive. The Delhi Snipers recorded the division's only sweep, blanking the Bengaluru Blazers 4–0. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Kingz rallied from a deficit to defeat the Jaipur Stallions 3–2, winning the decisive tiebreaker 21–12 after Jaipur had taken the early lead in singles. With multiple sweeps and grit-filled tiebreakers, the opening day has promised an intense week of pickleball action.

The Future is Automated: DUPR Unveils Revolutionary AI-Powered Rating System for 2026

Austin, USA – The landscape of pickleball analytics is set for a seismic shift as DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) announced its ambitious plan to integrate Artificial Intelligence into its rating ecosystem starting in 2026. This major technological leap aims to move player evaluation beyond simple win-loss records, unlocking a deeper, data-driven understanding of performance.

In a move described as building the future of measurement, DUPR will partner with elite global video and hardware technology providers. The cornerstone of this initiative is "DUPR Vision," a system designed to scrutinise match footage with unprecedented detail. Rather than just recording the final score, the AI will analyse the "how" and "why" of every point.

The new system promises to identify sophisticated patterns that have previously gone unmeasured in amateur and pro ratings. Key metrics will include shot selection success rates, specific error types, targeting tendencies, and player consistency under pressure. DUPR aims to use these video-backed performance signals to refine how matches are weighted, ultimately improving rating accuracy at scale.

By focusing on relative performance within a match, the AI integration seeks to reward skill and strategy even in matches that don't result in a victory. As the technology matures, it will create a foundation for insights into the actual mechanics of the game, creating a more responsible and granular rating ecosystem for players worldwide. While the full rollout is slated for 2026, the announcement signals a new era where data and digitised performance will define the global standard for the sport.

Pickleball Touches Down in Polanco: Mexico City’s First DUPR-Verified Club Set for Grand Opening

Mexico City, Mexico – A major milestone for pickleball in Latin America arrives on December 29, as Pickle Co MX opens its doors in the vibrant Polanco neighbourhood, officially becoming Mexico City’s first DUPR-verified pickleball club. The launch addresses a critical gap in one of the world's largest metropolises, where accessibility to the sport has historically been limited despite a population of nearly 22 million.

Founded by Conor McGeehan, who identified the lack of local courts as a hurdle for the city's growing player base, the club is designed to professionalise and structure the sport in the capital. The facility will debut with eight to ten courts, including a championship court with spectator seating, alongside amenities such as a pro shop and food and beverage services.

Pickle Co MX is prioritising growth and education in its early phase. Recognizing the city's strong existing community of tennis and padel players, the club will offer beginner-friendly sessions and open play to introduce new athletes to the game. As the player base matures, the venue plans to introduce Minor League Pickleball, singles formats, and competitive leagues.

Crucially, the club's status as a DUPR-verified venue ensures that matches played there will carry significant weight. Verified matches count 50% more toward a player's rating, a feature intended to reduce competitive mismatches and help Mexican athletes establish reliable, internationally recognized ratings as they compete on the global stage.

Lenhard’s Cinderella Run Continues with Stunner Over World No. 1 at PPA Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, USA – The PPA Tour stop in Florida witnessed a seismic upset in the quarterfinals as Rafael Lenhard, fresh off a Challenger victory, stunned top-seeded Federico Staksrud in a three-game thriller. The victory propels Lenhard into his first-ever PPA Tour semifinal, keeping alive his bid to become the first player to win PPA Challenger and Pro titles in back-to-back weeks.

The match was a rollercoaster of momentum. After dropping the first game 4-11, Lenhard fought back to take the second 11-6. The deciding game seemed to be slipping away when Staksrud took a commanding 10-7 lead. However, Lenhard saved a match point and rattled off five consecutive points on his serve to close out the match 12-10.

"I just hit a few really good passes, and I was able to grow in confidence," Lenhard said, attributing his comeback to aggressive forehand play. He noted that his schedule was designed specifically for this moment, using the previous week's event in Raleigh to warm up for the "big dogs" on the main tour. Lenhard will now face No. 5 seed Gabriel Joseph in the semifinals.

In other tour news, the women's bracket sees Kaitlyn Christian looking to defend her singles crown. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Kiora Kunimoto turned heads with a near Triple Crown performance at the Raleigh Challenger earlier in the week, signaling the arrival of yet another young talent on the national stage.

Young Phenoms and Gritty Comebacks Highlight Day 1 of Sportify Dink Master

Anand, India – The courts in Gujarat were ablaze with action on Day 1 of the Sportify Dink Master, where 94 players converged to compete for a prize pool of Rs 3,50,000. The IPA-sanctioned event saw decisive victories in singles and a dramatic comeback in the mixed doubles final.

In the Open Women’s Singles, Mun Amin delivered a masterclass in composure. She dominated Prachi Solanki with an 11-3 victory, neutralising Solanki’s early aggression with consistent depth and smart placement. Amin’s control of the court allowed her to dictate the pace, securing a confident start to her tournament campaign.

The highlight of the day was the Open Mixed Doubles final, where Rahul Soni and Mahi Trivedi rallied from a game down to claim the title. After losing the opener 8-11 to Dhyay Mehta and Janki Patel, the pair adjusted their coordination to win the second game 11-6. They rode that momentum into the decider, dominating the rallies to win 11-4.

Youth talent was also on full display as Palash Patel captured the U-16 Boys Singles title. Patel swept Chris Shah in straight games, taking the first 11-8 before cruising to an 11-3 victory in the second to seal the championship. With high stakes and ranking points on the line, the Sportify Dink Master has set a high bar for competition in the region.

Asia’s Elite Converge: UPA Trailblazers Camp Kicks Off in Vietnam with Top Talent

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – The search for Asia’s next pickleball superstars has intensified as the UPA Asia Trailblazers Programme officially launched its Season 2 training camp. Thirty elite athletes, selected from a highly competitive applicant pool, have arrived in Vietnam to vie for spots in the region's premier development pathway.

The diverse cohort features an even split of 15 men and 15 women representing 10 different Asian territories, including China, Japan, the Philippines, India, and Malaysia. This shortlisted group reflects the rapidly expanding depth of talent in the Asian pickleball circuit.

Hosted at Infinity Sports and Leisure, the camp offers a professional high-performance environment designed to accelerate player development. The athletes are training under the expert guidance of Head Coach Collin Johns, a former PPA Tour No. 1 doubles player and technical director for the Racket Professional Organisation. He is joined by a seasoned team of coaches, including Chris Harradine and Josh Jenkins.

The camp serves as a crucial step in talent identification. Those who succeed in this intensive environment will receive professional coaching, competitive exposure, and comprehensive support to help them compete on the global stage.

Transparency First: UPA Launches Player Fining Committee to Standardise Disciplinary Action

Dallas, USA – In a move to professionalise the governance of the sport, the United Pickleball Association (UPA) has established a new Player Fining Committee. The initiative, spearheaded by UPA Pro Player Committee President Zane Navratil, aims to eliminate ambiguity surrounding player fines and ensure fair enforcement of conduct rules.

The committee will be tasked with overseeing guidelines for specific offenses, such as paddle abuse, vulgar language, and attendance violations. While Zane Navratil was key to its formation, the committee itself will be composed of pro player Allyce Jones, PPA Tour COO Conner Ogden, and senior pro Steve Deakin.

"The idea was basically that fines had previously come out of thin air," Navratil explained. "We want to have fines that make sense, and that pass the sniff test from the player side". The group’s immediate priority is to review and codify the PPA Tournament Handbook to ensure all regulations are transparent.

Looking ahead, the committee plans to tackle the controversial issue of cheating and line calls, a major point of contention in the pro game. Navratil confirmed that a specific policy to deter cheating is "absolutely coming," reflecting the desires of over 90% of the player base.