Quang Duong Shines, DUPR Tools, Bali Champs & More
Good morning, pickleballers!
It's Thursday, and there is so much happening in the world of pickleball as ever this week - big tournaments in Bali and Malaysia, a wooden paddle classic coming up in the USA. That's not forgetting the PPL in England this coming weekend.
As ever, we have the pickleball news from the last 24 hours for you.
Vietnam's Free Agent Quang Duong Proves He's 'A Cut Above' with Double Gold Sweep
Quang Ninh, Vietnam – Pickleball star Quang Duong, already recognised as Vietnam’s number one player, recently solidified that status by sweeping two gold medals at a local tournament in Quang Ninh over the weekend. Despite being a few months removed from playing at the highest levels of professional pickleball, Duong demonstrated phenomenal skill, hardly missing a beat.
Duong secured his first gold in Mixed Doubles, pairing up successfully with Amanda Hendry. He then partnered with Casey Diamond to blitz the Men’s Doubles field and claim his second title. Both Hendry and Diamond are described as good pickleball professionals who could potentially win hardware in the PPA Tour Asia if they competed.
Notably, Duong’s teams defeated pairs that included several of Vietnam’s top players. In the Men’s Doubles final, Duong and Diamond overcame Phuc Huynh and Tama Shimabukuro. Huynh had recently won gold at the Vietnam Open. Earlier in the semi-finals, Duong's teams beat the duo of Trinh Linh Giang and Ly Hoang Nam. Giang and Nam had previously won silver and bronze medals, respectively, in Men’s Singles at the Hong Kong Open 2025.
Watching Duong play, it was clear that he is "a cut above" Vietnam’s best regional players. His abilities—including his power, technique, speed and quickness, and touch—were noticeably superior compared to the Giangs, Huynhs, and Nams.
The performance led observers to question why Duong, who looked like "a man among boys" in the local competition, was not competing halfway around the world in the US against the very best in the sport. Only Duong and his team know the reason for his current focus on local events.
Predict Your Podium: DUPR Forecast Tool Gives Players Winning Odds Before They Serve
United States – Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) has launched DUPR Forecast, a sophisticated new tool integrated into the updated DUPR app, which allows pickleball players to see the predicted outcome of a match even before they step onto the court. Announced on September 25, 2025, the feature provides players with a preview of their winning odds, indicating whether they are the favourite or the underdog, and by how much.
The forecast mechanism is designed to add insight and motivation for players at every level. DUPR explained that "Players now see the odds, not just the results," allowing them to set fair expectations, test their skills against stronger opponents, or defend their status as the favourite. The incentive to compete hard and improve skills is heightened by the possibility of beating the forecast.
After a match concludes, DUPR compares the actual score against the forecast, adjusting the player's rating accordingly. Players who outperform the prediction will see their DUPR rating rise, while those who underperform will see it decrease. The platform emphasises that if you "Outperform the forecast? Your DUPR goes up. Underperform? Your DUPR adjusts down”.
To use the tool, players must update to the latest DUPR app version, open their match entry, check the forecasted odds, play the match, and compare the results. The feature is also highly flexible: players can run unlimited match simulations until the end of the year, testing different partners, opponents, and matchups to observe how the forecast changes. By combining data with competition, DUPR aims to make the game more competitive, more transparent, and fun, ensuring that "Every point now has more meaning".
DUPR Battles Sandbagging: New ‘Verified’ Program Rolls Out to 300+ US Clubs in 2026
United States – Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) has taken a significant step toward ensuring fair play by announcing the "DUPR Verified" program, a system designed to stop "sandbagging" in the rapidly growing sport. Starting in 2026, over 300 clubs across the United States are set to join the new system.
Sandbagging—where players intentionally compete in lower divisions to secure easier wins—is often enabled by the creation of duplicate accounts. The Verified program tackles this issue by instituting stricter player checks and holding clubs to a higher standard in score reporting.
DUPR likened the new requirements to a travel program, stating, "Think of it like TSA pre-check". Players seeking verified status must have an active DUPR+ subscription and a verified phone number, with each number linked to only one account. A Fairplay Committee will oversee events and players to guarantee honesty, and match scores must be submitted within 48 hours and in the correct order. Crucially, results from Verified events will carry more weight toward a player’s DUPR rating than standard matches.
The program is set to reach major professional tours and leagues in 2026, including Minor League Pickleball, Top Tier Pickleball League, World of Pickleball, and National Pickleball. Clubs, such as The Picklr, are already applying to join.
The goal is to create fairer matches, more accurate ratings, and build trust in the competitive balance of pickleball. DUPR believes this system will establish necessary consistency and guardrails for a fast-growing sport that requires stronger protections against cheating. As more players subscribe to DUPR+, local organisers are expected to feel pressure to adopt the Verified events, which are poised to become the preferred choice for players seeking reliable competition.
Grand Slam Meets Sundowner: Chennai Prepares for India’s First Beachside Pickleball Festival
Chennai, India – Pickleball enthusiasts in India are gearing up for the "Pickleball By The Bay and Music Festival," a unique three-day extravaganza blending high-energy pickleball action with music and lifestyle experiences. Scheduled for September 26–28, 2025, the event will take place at the picturesque VGP Golden Beach in Injambakkam.
Organised by the Rise Up Championship (RUC) Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), Tamil Nadu Pickleball Association, DUPR, and Pickleball World Ranking (PWR), the festival will host India’s first PWR 1000-sanctioned tournament. The competition will feature top athletes from across India and beyond competing for a generous prize pool of ₹25 lakhs across five categories: Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
Seventy-two players, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have registered, with the final selection made by the IPA based on DUPR ratings. These participants hail primarily from cities including Mumbai, Lucknow, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
The venue includes a temporary court set against a breathtaking seaside view and a cavernous air-conditioned indoor area with two courts and seating for about 800 spectators.
The event is designed as a carnival, promising a "Play All Day, Party All Night" atmosphere. Pickleball action dominates the morning and evening, but by 7:00 p.m., the lawns transform into party spaces. Attendees can enjoy food stalls, drinks, and live music from a curated lineup, including DJ Lash, Aishwarya, DJ Sparrow, Masala Coffee, and DJ Veekay across the three nights.
Selvakumar Balu, Founder of RUC Foundation, stated the idea is to encourage everyone to pick up a sport, noting the Foundation aims to do for sports what the IPL did for cricket. RUC’s broader vision is to promote unconventional sports, foster corporate engagement, and offer holistic experiences by integrating entertainment alongside athletic events. Passes are available for purchase online at ₹499 per day.
Corporate Court Clash: India Launches First CXO Pickleball League in Mumbai, Headlined by Saina Nehwal
Mumbai, India – India’s corporate landscape is set to witness a new initiative blending executive networking with competitive sport, as Gravate Sports announced the launch of the country’s first CXO Pickleball League. The inaugural event is scheduled for September 27, 2025, at the exclusive sea-facing courts of Taj Lands End, Mumbai.
Co-founded by RJ Anmol and Puneet Goyal, Gravate Sports designed the league to promote executive wellness, networking, and camaraderie among top corporate leaders. Pickleball is rapidly being embraced in corporate circles due to its accessibility, low-impact nature, and effectiveness as a relationship-building platform—often compared to golf for its business potential.
The market for pickleball in India is projected to grow significantly, potentially reaching ₹1,500 crore by 2031.
The league allows corporates from various industries, including finance, technology, and media, to nominate teams of up to three members, with the requirement of including at least one senior leader. Participants have received training through AIPA-certified coaches in flexible clinics leading up to the spirited tournament.
The launch will be headlined by Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal, who will participate in a special exhibition match against business stalwart Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani. Nehwal praised the event, stating, "It’s nice to see sports becoming an integral part of corporate life," and encouraged more professionals to embrace a healthier, sport-driven lifestyle.
RJ Anmol, Co-Founder of Gravate Sports, shared his vision of creating premium sporting experiences that bring leaders together beyond boardrooms, noting that pickleball is "perfectly suited for India’s CXOs". The day will culminate in a curated sundowner and gourmet dining experience aimed at facilitating high-quality networking among peers. Gravate Sports hopes to pioneer a new category of corporate sporting leagues in India.
From Cornwall Classroom to Rome Gold: PE Teacher Kirsty Gray Triumphs at European Championships
Rome, Italy – A PE teacher from Plymouth, Kirsty Gray, achieved an extraordinary victory by winning a gold medal in the senior ladies event at the European Pickleball Championships. The championships, which were the European Pickleball Federation's second European Team Championships, took place from September 19 to 21, involving teams from thirty countries.
Gray, who works at a school in Liskeard, Cornwall, expressed she was "completely in shock" after the win, having only taken up pickleball a year prior. She recalled the "massive" crowd and described the feeling as "unbelievable".
Gray's background in tennis proved helpful, as she noted that pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. She initially discovered the sport with friends in London after suffering tennis injuries and became immediately "hooked" after picking up a paddle. In addition to her gold medal, England also secured silver medals in both the singles and mixed doubles team events.
Now back in Cornwall, Gray is sharing her passion by teaching pickleball to her students. She champions the sport's accessibility, emphasising that "All our children of all abilities have loved it". Some children have even asked her for autographs.
Gray’s next major competition will be the National Championships in Bolton in October. She highlighted the tremendous growth of the sport, noting that domestic events are consistently drawing 1,000 to 2,000 entries.
Visa Volley: US Pickleball Clubs Draw Fire for Using H-1B Visas to Hire Foreign Coaches
United States – A growing controversy has emerged in the US pickleball community as clubs utilise the H-1B visa program to recruit foreign workers as coaches, offering annual salaries that can reach up to $95,000. The H-1B program is intended for skilled foreign workers, and critics argue its use for pickleball coaching is an "abuse," questioning why immigrant coaches are necessary given the millions of U.S. players.
The news that pickleball clubs were applying for H-1B visas generated sharp online backlash, with comments labelling the practice "Beyond absurd". Critics worry the program is being misused to fill jobs that could be offered to American workers.
In response to widespread concerns, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a proposal to change how H-1B visas are awarded, prioritising higher-wage jobs deemed harder to fill with U.S. workers. This prioritisation is intended to incentivise employers to offer higher-skilled positions and disincentivise the current broad use of the program for potentially lower-skilled roles. President Donald Trump also introduced a proposed $100,000 fee on certain H-1B applications to discourage replacing U.S. workers with cheaper foreign labour.
Sam Arnold, co-founder of Slate Pickleball Club in Northbrook, Illinois, shared his experience in trying to hire a foreign coach. Arnold needed trusted coaches who could teach a "specific methodology" that he found difficult to source domestically. He received approval from the Labor Department but ultimately lost in the visa lottery. He was later able to hire the coach through optional practical training, a temporary program for foreign students. Arnold praised the coach as "young, super athletic," and eager to work.
The new proposals will undergo a review process before taking effect. Supporters believe these changes will ensure only highly skilled, high-paying jobs qualify, while critics warn the moves could raise costs for businesses reliant on specialized foreign talent.
Tropical Triumph: WPC Bali 2025 Crowns Harrison Brown, Hart & Bates, and Laville & Patil as Pro Champions
Bali, Indonesia – The grand stage of the WPC – Bali 2025 Championship continues on the paradise island of Bali, celebrating the champions of the 6th edition of the World Pickleball Championship (WPC).
The professional division saw several outstanding performances. In the Men's Singles 19+ Pro category, Harrison Brown was crowned the champion. The Women's Doubles 19+ Pro title was secured by the formidable team of Kaitlynn Hart and Shelby Bates. Finally, the Men's Doubles 19+ Pro championship went to the duo of Louis Laville and Mayur Patil.
All winners were highly praised for their outstanding performances, deemed truly worthy of the Pro title.
WPC emphasised that the championship is "more than a tournament," describing it as a family experience. The event celebrated the "roar of the crowd," the "power of friendship," and the journey of athletes who achieved greatness. The WPC Championship 2025 was highlighted as an unforgettable event defined by warmth and unity.