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• RacquetX conference in Miami revealed rise of the ‘cross-court consumer’
• Venues are diversifying to meet demand for pickleball, padel and tennis
• Although some are playing multiple racquet sports, others ‘stay in their lane’

It's no secret that pickleball has a somewhat fractious relationship with tennis as the sports battle for real estate in country clubs and public spaces across the US. But could that rivalry turn into companionship as the racquet sports family becomes ever more diverse? That was the main takeaway from the inaugural RacquetX festival at Miami Beach Convention Center in March, which brought pickleball, tennis, padel, POP tennis and other racquet/paddle swinging cousins together to learn from each other, network, and find common ground. '

A rising tide lifts all ships,' as the saying goes. Or, as one speaker at RacquetX cleverly put it, 'It's time to love all!' 

‍Research by RacquetX revealed the emergence of a 'cross-court consumer' with 43% of responders playing more than one racquet sport in the last year or intending to diversify their play. The research also noted tremendous growth potential in public courts and clubs opening up access for all market segments (pickleball, tennis, padel, etc.). Venues are already adapting to this more diverse consumer demand. Life Time Fitness has introduced pickleball at many of its 200+ locations across the US. Life Time Tempe in Phoenix, AZ, has converted three outdoor tennis courts into 12 pickleball courts and an additional three indoors, replacing a basketball court. They host the bi-annual Life Time Tempe Fall Classic, regional tournaments, events for two local universities and a junior program. 

Norma Sedillo, Tennis and Pickleball Coordinator at Life Time Tempe, said,

"Pickleball was not initially embraced by the tennis community here. It was seen as the ugly duckling. But things changed. I'd say 50% of my tennis players are now playing pickleball - but they are not abandoning tennis. They are playing both.” "They still have their strong ties within tennis but those communities are transitioning into pickleball. Once they start moving, they move in waves - the friendships remain but they are spending time together on both types of court." 

Life Time's venue in Westchester, NY, has pickleball, tennis, and squash courts over 2,000 sq ft, whereas Life Time Sky in Manhattan (with two pickleball courts) has to be more selective with its use of space. Sky's Lead Pickleball Pro, Andy Peeke, hasn't witnessed a huge amount of cross-pollination between racquet sports. 

"There's an incredible demand for pickleball so we have to follow that demand in deciding what to do with the space we have," he says. "If your four tennis courts aren't at capacity and there is demand for pickleball, clubs notice pretty quickly they can fit in 16 pickleball courts and not only quadruple their profits, but quadruple community satisfaction."

 He describes Life Time Sky as "possibly the most DUPR-heavy club in the country:

"Here, your DUPR rating is your passport. If you're a 4.49 you're not entering a 4.5, otherwise we'd end up with a public park type of system. We're getting super competitive, but most of all, people love being part of our community."

On the first weekend in May 2024, Life Time Penn 1 opened its new pickleball courts with exhibitions by Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters, Tyson McGuffin and Life Time founder, chairman and CEO Bahram Akradi.Across the Atlantic, Imber Court Sports Club in southwest London (built on land formerly owned by King Henry VIII) has two pickleball courts, four padel courts and 15 tennis courts (four of those tennis courts will soon be converted into six padel and four pickleball courts). Clinton Lamprecht, founder of England Sports Group which coordinates all sports activities at the club, says he doesn't recognize the emergence of the so-called cross-court consumer. 

"We haven't seen cross-pollination," he states. "People here tend to find their tribe and stick with it. We've probably only got half a dozen members who will actively play pickleball and padel. I'm curious to see whether we'll see more of that over the years." 

Although Clinton believes tennis will suffer in the short term as pickleball and padel grow, he does believe in the 'rising tide lifts all ships' theory.

"The new sports are going to lower participation levels in tennis, there's no doubt about that. But it's also going to create opportunities for everyone in the racquet sports sector to increase participation overall between those three different racquet sports."

 While demand from individuals to play multiple racquet sports doesn't appear to be universal yet, clubs are recognizing the need to diversify their offering of court types and appeal to all sectors. In time, this may lead to the racquet sports co-existing more happily and appreciating the potential of learning and thriving together.

Meet Rachael James, a professional pickleball player from Detroit, MI! Rachael is known for her dynamic playing style and strategic abilities on the court. Having played tennis for over twenty years, Rachael competed semi-professionally and collegiately for the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill before transitioning to pickleball. Rachael now plays pickleball professionally on a full-time basis, regularly facing off against the best players in the world. She also spends her time teaching the sport to others while balancing her busy tournament schedule. Follow along and get to know Rachael a little bit more in this Q&A!

How did you find pickleball and how has it changed your life?

I wanted to find an activity where I could bond with my mom and make new friends. We had our first pickleball lesson together at the Delray Tennis Center, and I instantly fell in love with the sport. Now, I have an amazing community of friends, a stronger bond with my mom, and a new profession!

What is your favorite memory from your career so far?

I have so many great memories, it’s hard to choose just one! However, one that stands out is beating DJ Young and Cass Hoag 2-3 months ago. That match was a turning point in my career and marked significant growth in my pickleball development. I train hard every day to improve, and it was gratifying to see my efforts pay off. Since then, I've had several big wins, making that match a major milestone in my career.

What motivates you to become a pro pickleball player?

Being a professional pickleball player is what I want to do with my life. As long as I avoid any career-ending injuries, I plan to keep playing until the end—I'll probably die on the court.

What athlete or person inspires you the most?

My parents are my greatest inspiration. Originally from the east side of Detroit, Michigan, my family moved to Florida when I was younger to provide me with the best opportunities in tennis and a better future. They sacrificed a lot and continue to demonstrate incredible strength and perseverance.

What does your current training regimen look like?

Now that my mixed doubles game has improved significantly, I'm focusing on getting my singles game back to its previous level. Starting today, I plan to train 1.5 hours in singles and 1.5 hours in doubles, Monday through Friday. Previously, I trained exclusively in doubles for 3-4 hours each day during the week.

What is your greatest accomplishment in sports?

My latest greatest accomplishment in sports is having the bravery to pursue a new sport full-time besides tennis and fully committing to it. The date I was able to be a full-time pickleball player was August 1st, 2023.

What part of your game are you working on the most right now?

My focus is on singles and playing the left side in gendered doubles. Many women excel on the right side due to mixed doubles experience. By mastering the left side, I can partner with almost anyone. That will give me the best opportunity to make big runs in tournaments.

What do you do outside of pickleball?

"I really love the beach, painting, and walking around expensive neighborhoods, lol. "

How havelevel-basedd tournaments help you improve your pickleball skills?

 "I only played one 5.0 PPA tournament and I won it. After that, I went and played only in the pro division."

Rachael has also started a business called Pickle Pros, where we create personalized webpages for athletes that showcase their accomplishments and allow people to book lessons with them around their travel and tournament schedules. She adds,

"Our platform is designed to support aspiring pro pickleball players by providing them with a way to earn money while at home, while also enabling them to travel and compete in tournaments."

Check out Rachael's pickleball journey and more on her Instagram and website!

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The joy in pickleball is as much about the camaraderie we find in the vibrant communities we uncover as it is about dinks, volleys, and scoring.

For Antonio Whiteley, finding pickleball and his local community of players became a lifeline following the sudden and devastating loss of his partner of 17 years, Mark, to cardiac failure due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

"It was an undiagnosed heart condition, like something you hear about athletes collapsing on the field. It was sudden, silent, swift. One moment he was here, the next he was gone. Just an ordinary Saturday afternoon at my parents' house."

Antonio and Marc’s love story ignited at Gay Pride in San Diego, where they shared an instantaneous connection.

"He stood beside me. I laughed, he laughed. And then I looked at him and said, 'Hi, I’m Antonio.' I had never greeted anyone like that before."

Marc loved hummingbirds, and in the wake of his passing, while sitting in Antonio’s parents' yard, a hummingbird materialized, fluttering its wings for over a minute. For Antonio, it felt like a sign.

"There was recognition. Eye contact. I knew it was Marc."

In the midst of grief, Antonio found solace and unexpected support within the tight-knit West Hollywood pickleball community.

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"People I didn't even know on the court will say, 'There's a hummingbird, Antonio. There's Marc.'"

Strangers transformed into friends, and friends into a chosen family. The courts of West Hollywood became a place where Antonio could find relief from the overwhelming weight of loss.

"Pickleball saved my life,” Antonio reflects, his voice filled with gratitude. “It really did.”

“It started as a way to keep me out of the house for a few hours at night,” he continues. “Little did I know that it would turn into a family. A community of people who have lifted me and given me strength. Now, for 2 hours a day, sometimes 4, I am surrounded by people I love.”

Antonio’s dedication to the sport and the community has taken a competitive turn. He has competed in three local tournaments and holds a DUPR rating of 3.851. 

Reflecting on his experiences, he says, "It's been a lot of fun! I know I'll always have a good time, regardless of the outcome." "There's still a huge void in my life, but pickleball and this community in West Hollywood have helped me more than anybody will ever know.”

Antonio's story is a reminder of how resilient the human spirit can be in the wake of tragedy and that none of us make this journey through life alone. In a city where dreams are pursued and connections are forged, the simple act of playing pickleball has the power to heal, to uplift, and to remind us of the profound beauty of human connection.

In the fall of 2022, Life Time announced the adoption of DUPR as its rating and technology system across all of its pickleball programming. As the official rating partner of Life Time Pickleball, DUPR ensures that Life Time members, and all pickleball players, can find equally matched opponents almost anywhere.

As Life Time grows its presence as the nation’s largest owner and operator of pickleball courts, it’s focused on ensuring its premier locations continue to elevate. To that end, one of those destinations, Life Time Peachtree Corners, located just outside of Atlanta, announced an exciting expansion that will significantly increase its pickleball offerings.

The project will increase the number of pickleball courts to 29, including 12 indoor courts and 17 outdoor courts. Among the outdoor courts will be four stadium courts, which will play host to events like the Vizzy Pickleball Classic, just held there in May. You can see the video rendering here.

“Both DUPR and Life Time are committed to advancing pickleball’s reach and reputation and supporting players at all levels” said Tito Machado, DUPR's CEO. “With this expansion, more people will be able to experience the benefits and excitement of pickleball.”

If you’d like to get on the list for more information, you can visit their website here.

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In Cincinnati Ohio, players from 30 different schools competed for $20,000 and championships in each of the five pickleball events: Mixed Doubles, Men's/Women's Singles,  & Men's/Women's Doubles. With this being the 2nd annual Collegiate Individual National Championship, there was an increased player pool and spectators from last year. Read more to see how each of the five events played out!

Men's Doubles

Jack Munro and Timmy Manzano (University of Texas) went undefeated in Men's Doubles this weekend, but it wasn't without it's difficulties. In the finals matchup, they saved multiple championship points and had to beat Jack Foster and Django Chassang (University of Florida) 18-21, 27-25, 12-10. These two teams had the highest average DUPRs for the Men's Doubles field, with the University of Florida at 5.671 and UT-Austin at 5.391.

Watch the Men's Doubles Final here!

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‍Mixed Doubles

After dropping games to Benson Parry/Averee Beck -Utah Tech University- (15-21) and Sara Sowinski/Colton Thielman - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - (18-21) in group play, Mehvish Safdar and Michael Asplund - University of Indiana - barely made the playoffs as the #7 seed. However, that didn't stop them from then grinding out 3 playoff wins to be crowned the 2024 Mixed Doubles champions! In the Finals, IU was down 21-12, 20-12, against University of Virginia's David Bieger and Lauralei Singsank, and then came back to win the second game 26-28 and then the third game 8-11 in stunning fashion.

Watch their epic comeback here!

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‍Women's Singles

As an encore, Mehvish Safdar went on to win Women's Singles immediately after wrapping up Mixed Doubles! Mehv was flawless in Women's Singles the whole tournament, not dropping a single game in group play or the playoffs. She was the only champion from the weekend to do so. Mixed Doubles and Women's Singles mark the first two National Championships for Indiana University pickleball, and their showing this weekend put them on the map as a top club in the nation.

‍Watch the Women's Final here!

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‍Men's Singles

The highly-anticipated Jack Foster (University of Florida) vs. Jack Munro (University of Texas) singles showdown happened, but not in expected fashion! In group play, Jack Munro failed to clinch a group play game against Michael Asplund from Indiana, and lost 22-20. As a result, Munro entered the playoff bracket as the #7 seed, which put him on a quarterfinals collision course with #2 seed Jack Foster. Munro came out victorious, and then would go on to win all of his Men's Singles match ups in straight games, with 4 out of his 6 game wins in the playoffs being by 2 points. Coming into the finals matchup against Jack, David Bieger had decimated his opponents in group play, winning his games by an average of 13.2 points. Jack Munro's win also means that two #7 seeds in the playoffs were crowned champions - it's anyone's game!

Watch the Men's Final here!

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Women's Doubles

‍Utah Tech repeats as champions in Women's Doubles! At the 2023 Individual Nationals, the Utah Tech Women's Doubles team (Dylan Ciampini and Katelyn Naduald) knocked out Lauralei Singsank and Alexandra McDonald (University of Virginia) in the semifinals. This year, the two teams met in the finals instead, but the result was the same with Utah Tech victorious, with their 2024 Women's Doubles team of Averee Beck and Kamryn Bliss. If there wasn't enough history already, the two schools also met in the 2023 Collegiate National Championship semifinals, with Utah Tech (With Averee and Dylan) winning against the same UVA women's team (Lauralei and Alexandra). However, UVA got the last laugh in that matchup as they beat Utah Tech 3-1, and then proceeded to win the whole tournament.

Watch this epic final here!

Hungry for more Collegiate Pickleball? Stay tuned for the upcoming Florida Super Regional on September 21st-22nd!

The recent DUPR Clinic hosted by Delaware Life at Pickleball Kingdom was a tremendous success, bringing together wholesalers, clients, and industry leaders for a day of fun and team bonding on the court. The event was a great opportunity to strengthen relationships with both PIKKL and Pickleball Kingdom, as well as spread DUPR awareness amongst Delaware Life clients.

“There is no other activity like pickleball out there that captures the heart with child-like wonder. It is a dream come true to partner brand leaders like DUPR, Pickleball Kingdom, PIKKL, and Delaware Life," says David Dutrieuille Head of Development at PIKKL. "These events are so important for pickleball as we begin infusing a dynamic way of engaging other sectors of life that may not be close to such a wonderful sport. There is no greater joy then being on court and helping spread the joy movement through pickleball."

DUPR's Director of Event Activation and Key Accounts David McCune was present at the event. David has been traveling extensively across the United States and around the world, fostering DUPR relationships on multiple continents. In his opinion, this kick-off event was a significant opportunity to highlight the strong bond between Delaware Life and its clients, while also introducing them to the DUPR family.

"I truly enjoy introducing leaders in the pickleball industry to non-endemic businesses professionals who are leading their fields as well," Dave says. "Putting innovative, cooperative minds together on the court and participating in and fostering growth of the game our friends and families love so much, generally yields impressive results."

The event took place at Pickleball Kingdom, a premier provider of pickleball amenities nationwide. Their commitment to supporting the growth of pickleball was evident in their enthusiasm for hosting such a fantastic group of companies and individuals.

"We couldn’t be more pleased with these fantastic companies and their commitment to growing the sport of pickleball. We are looking forward to their next event at Pickleball Kingdom!” says Joseph Parisi Director of Marketing at Pickleball Kingdom.

Looking ahead, Delaware Life is excited to continue their partnership with DUPR and host more activation clinics in the future. The next clinic is set to take place at Performance Pickleball RVA in Virginia on June 6th, promising more memorable experiences and exciting games to come. Delaware Life's AVP of Digital Marketing & Strategy, Liz Dorrance, adds,

"From a Delaware Life perspective, we were excited to kick off this partnership In AZ with our local RVP, Benjy Stremple. We are committed to creating unique, memorable experiences for our clients and business partners through pickleball. This is just the beginning!"

We can't wait to record more DUPR games together with our loyal partners and industry leaders!

To learn more about the partnership between Delaware Life and DUPR, please visit https://dupr.delawarelife.com.

About DUPR

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

About Delaware Life Insurance Company

Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001, we were born out of the advisor industry, and we understand how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation, and every individual need. We’re passionate about equipping you with annuities that give your customers peace of mind and a successful future—allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.

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Everything You Need To Know About The DUPR Reliability Score!

We’re excited to explain how the DUPR Reliability Score works, a metric designed to help you better understand your rating. Every player profile includes two key numbers: your DUPR Rating, which reflects your current pickleball skill level, and your Reliability Score, a percentage that shows how close your rating is to being fully established.

What is the Reliability Score? How is it different from my DUPR rating? 

Your DUPR rating provides a real-time assessment of your pickleball skill level based on your match results. The Reliability Score indicates how far you have progressed in achieving a reliable rating. Your rating reliability depends on a few things  – how many match results are in our system, how recently you’ve played and the variety of players you’ve played against. A higher reliability percentage means you’re a player who is consistently uploading match results in the system, while someone with a lower score means that there is some catching up (i.e. more playing!) to be done. 
A player’s Reliability Score is calculated as a percentage between 1 and 100. Players who have a score of at least 60% have a reliable rating. 

Both singles and doubles ratings have a corresponding Reliability Score. 

What does it measure? 

The Reliability Score measures a player’s progress in achieving a rating that is a dependable representation of their skill level. It looks at a number of factors, including how recently you’ve played, who you’ve played against, the types of matches you play and the recency of your results. New players will have lower reliability scores as they are just getting started on DUPR, players that have more results and play frequently will have higher reliability scores. 

What is a good reliability score?

A good reliability score is 60% or higher. That means that a player can be confident they will have a good, competitive experience when playing others at the same level or finding events at that level. Reliability scores that are lower than 60% are a sign that a player is still progressing towards reliability. This likely means they need to play more and enter their results. A rating of 100% is considered to be fully reliable, but anything above 60% is a good reliability score. 

How does the Reliability Score help players? ‍

A reliability score shows how close you are to achieving reliable rating. When you have a reliable rating (60% or above in your reliability score), you can be confident that you will have fun, competitive play with others at a similar level. Players who have more results in DUPR will have higher reliability scores because there are more match results to analyze, offering a more in-depth view of your ability. A player who is just starting out will have a lower reliability score because DUPR does not have as many results to analyze. As players play more and share their results with DUPR, their rating becomes more and more reliable, and their reliability score will go up. 

For example, a player who consistently plays and enters match scores will have a more reliable rating than a player who has played once or twice, or only plays against the same person. As you progress in your pickleball journey by playing more, consistently entering your scores and playing a broader range of people, your reliability score will increase. . 

What will reliability score be used for? 

Players can use the reliability score to have more insight into their rating and a better understanding of their current rating. Clubs can use the Reliability Score to better evaluate players, and may even use it as a threshold for event eligibility to ensure players have a good, competitive experience. 

How can I make my rating more reliable? 

Play more matches! Your match count and the recency of those matches are a big component of your Reliability Score. But not all matches are equal in how much new information they provide to the dependability of your rating. In order to make your rating more reliable, focus on playing matches that satisfy the following criteria: 

• Play with various partners and opponents
• Play against similarly rated opponents
• Play Club/Tournament Matches
• Play against highly reliable players

How should I expect my reliability score to move over time? 

Each match you play will increase your score, but the amount it goes up will depend on many factors that consider how much new information we are getting from the match. Your Reliability Score will decrease over time if you are not recording matches. 

What are the steps I can take to get a good Reliability Score (60% and above)? 

There are many ways for a player to reach a good reliability score (60%). The key here is that there are many paths you can take to make your rating more reliable, but some paths might require more matches than others. The biggest takeaway is to play frequently and against a broad group of players. If you’re new to DUPR, we have some sample pathways to help you get on the road to reliability. If you’ve been playing for a while and want to increase your reliability score, we have some ideas for you to go from 60% to 100%.

How do I maintain a good Reliability Score?

Keep playing and play with a broad group of competitors. Your reliability score will decrease over time if you do not record new matches. To maintain your reliability score, we encourage you to log matches on a consistent basis. 

For example, a player with a 100% Reliability Score  (100%) could decrease to  60% over the course of 6 or so months if they don’t enter results. A 60% score  can drop to 30% over the course of 3 months without entering results. A 30% score can drop to just under 10% over the course of 6 months if a player does not continue to enter results. 

This is because DUPR’s rating places more emphasis on more recent matches as that provides an assessment of your current skill level. Older matches do not have as much impact on your rating. 

Is my Reliability Score or my rating more important? 

Your DUPR rating is a real-time assessment of your skill level. The reliability score is a supporting measure that showcases your progress in achieving a dependable rating (ie how frequently you play, how recent your results are and the pool of players you are playing against). 

As players begin to play and enter scores into DUPR, ratings can fluctuate early on in their DUPR journey as they play different players. As players continue to play and enter more scores, the confidence in their assessment increases. Players who are new to DUPR will have lower reliability scores than players who are consistently playing and submitting results. 

How often will my Reliability Score update?

Your Reliability Score will update weekly on Tuesdays. 

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To learn more about the paths to reliability, and how to work toward achieving 100% reliability, click here! 

Todd ‘Happy’ Boynton is from a tiny town in Western Massachusetts, and for many years, his life was anything but happy - a tumultuous marriage, battles with addiction, and a body worn down by years of physical labor and ice hockey injuries. 

“Happy was an ironic nickname,” he says. “Like, ‘boy, you're miserable all the time.’ ‘Hey, I'm happy.’ So it stuck.”

Five years ago, during a trip to Disney World, Boynton weighed 350 pounds, sported a Dasani water bottle filled with vodka, and required a wheelchair to get around. He recalled telling his wife that he wanted to end his life. “And after all the years of doing that to her,” he recalls, “she cried.” At that moment, Happy chose sobriety. 

Pickleball came into his life shortly after.  

"The first time I hit the ball,” he says, “I had flashbacks to playing goalie. I get a visceral feeling. I feel it in my bones.”

“Do you remember the machines that would sell super balls at the grocery store? You could put a dime in, and you'd get this little rubber ball. When we were 8 years old, we would get those balls and I would just throw them against the wall and try to stop them. Well, that's where being a goalie came from. I loved stopping the puck. I loved stopping the ball, and I get that same visceral feeling from pickleball.”

Happy’s passion for the sport is infectious and he enlists anyone who will listen. "I love talking pickleball. I get kicked out of parties for it. My wife won't hang out with me some nights when I'm on a pickleball rant. But all I need is one person to be interested and I'll keep going because I know what good it can do for everybody.” 

From organizing tournaments to advocating for more courts in his community, Happy’s on a mission to spread the joys of pickleball far and wide. "My goal is to become the Johnny Appleseed of pickleball. I just want there to be pickleball courts everywhere, where you don't have to make a reservation, you don't have to buy anything. You just say, ‘hey, what is this?’ I put a paddle in your hand and you hit the ball and you go, ‘this is pretty cool.’ Bang! Done.”

Despite his own aversion to keeping score, he recognizes the value of DUPR in creating a standardized metric that transcends geographical boundaries. “Everybody should have a DUPR. So once we have 8 billion people with DUPR scores, you'll know who to play with. You could go to India, you could go to Bangladesh and say, ‘where's the 3.0s?”

Happy still struggles with his weight, but he’s down 75 pounds.

“I‘d like to say pickleball helped me lose weight. Eating better helped me lose weight. But wanting to live makes you eat better, which helps you lose weight, which helps you play pickleball, which makes you want to live.”

His story serves as a reminder that happiness isn't just a destination—it's about embracing life day by day, game by game.

“I am happy all the time. You either choose to be happy or you choose to be miserable. It's a choice.”

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