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DUPR is proud to announce our strategic partnership with Pranav Kohli, the Asian Pickleball Association (APA), and PLAPL. This collaboration marks a significant step towards the global unification of the sport, supporting the excitement and growth across continents. The partnership with DUPR signifies an important step towards making pickleball a better experience

for both professionals and amateurs.

“I am excited to further align our efforts in the unification of the sport under one rating. Joining forces with Pranav Kohli and APA/PLAPL aligns perfectly with our mission to unify the sport on a global scale. This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing together diverse communities and promoting the universal sport of pickleball. Pranav Kohli's visionary leadership and APA/PLAPL's dedication to the sport make them ideal partners on our journey. By working together, we can create unparalleled opportunities for players, fans, and stakeholders alike,” said Ryan Maher, Head of Commercial at DUPR.

PLAPL and APA are excited to partner with DUPR to bring the sport of Pickleball to a larger audience globally. “With the growth of Pickleball globally,a reliable and robust rating system is needed to make the sport more inclusive. With the DUPR rating system present at more and more events, it will make these more exciting and rewarding experiences for professionals and amateurs alike,” said Pranav Kohli, CEO of PLAPL and Interim President of AP. “We are extremely excited about our partnership with DUPR,” he added.

A key focus of this collaboration is to support the growth of the sport in India and throughout Asia. DUPR is excited to contribute to the development of the sport in these regions, tapping into the immense potential and passion within the diverse and dynamic communities.

About DUPR

DUPR is the gold standard in pickleball ratings and event management, and is the official ratings system for MLP and PPA. In November of 2022, DUPR successfully launched a collegiate pickleball national championship in which 16 co-ed teams participated using the same unique team format used in MLP.

For more information on DUPR, visit the official website and follow DUPR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Asian Pickleball Association

Asian Pickleball Association is the soon-to-be-launched governing body for Asia affiliated with the Global Pickleball Federation. APA is working towards a united and inclusive front at the continental level and is committed to pushing the sport of pickleball to greater heights with the eventual goal of being part of the Olympics under the aegis of the Global PickleBall Federation.

About Pickleball League Asia Pvt Ltd

PLAPL is an organization centered around creating world-class events across the globe for professionals. PLAPL is in the process of launching the largest team-based global league in 2024 with the highest prize money ever in pickleball.

This past weekend, the annual DUPR Collegiate National Championship took place at Life Time Athletic Club in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, and brought together 400 athletes from over 36 universities across the country to prove which school deserved to be crowned the title of Pickleball National Champions. The three-day tournament featured big upsets, heated exchanges, and possibly the rowdiest crowd this sport has ever seen.

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On the first day, schools battled each other in group play. Out of the six schools in each of the six groups, only the top two would make it out of group play into the elimination round. Each group experienced intense competition and the upsets started on day one.

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Notable Upsets From Group Play:

• In Group A #24 Virginia Tech upset #13 Kennesaw State and #12 Michigan.
• In Group C #15 Ohio State upset #10 Grand Canyon University. Even after Ohio State’s starting male player dislocated his shoulder mid-match and they had to make an emergency substitution.
• In Group D #16 Florida upset #4 Utah Valley and #9 Indiana.
• In Group F #18 Maryland upset #6 Utah State.

UVA's March To Victory

Out of the 36 teams in the championship bracket, only 12 made it into the elimination bracket. Six of those teams earned a 5-0 record while only two teams, 1st seed Utah Tech and 7th seed Florida Atlantic, managed the impressive feat of not losing a single game during those five match wins.

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While there was hardly a shortage of great pickleball during group play, probably the most impressive story of the weekend was the oppressive campaign led by 5th seed UVA that had them dominating throughout the playoffs, toppling top teams left and right.

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During the play-in round of the elimination bracket, UVA faced off against their Commonwealth rivals, Virginia Tech. During group play, 24th seed Virginia Tech had already pulled off the upsets against 13th seed Kennesaw State and 12th seed Michigan and was looking forward to taking down UVA. However, UVA had other plans for their in-state rivals and secured their place in the quarterfinals by beating Virginia Tech 3-1.

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In the quarterfinals, UVA faced off against the veteran team and 3rd seed TCU. After taking a big 2-0 lead on the Horned Frogs, the Hoos extended their run with a 3-1 win to advance to the semifinals.

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Sunday morning, the UNC Tarheels defeated the extremely tough team from Florida Atlantic. Their first-ever match loss for the championship after Florida Atlantic almost forced a dreambreaker. The second semifinal match positioned the number one seed and 2022 National Championship runner-up Utah Tech Trailblazers against the red-hot UVA squad.

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UVA's Thrilling Victory Over the Undefeated Trailblazers

The Trailblazers came out with a 21-11 win in women’s doubles with a women’s team that hadn’t lost all tournament. The men’s doubles game saw UVA take a 6-1 lead, forcing Utah Tech to take an early time-out. The Trailblazers clawed back to take the late lead at 18-16, forcing UVA to take their time-out. With their composure regained, UVA stormed back to win 5 straight points to end the game 21-18 and tip the momentum back in their favor. The Trailblazers never recovered and UVA took the next two mixed games at 21-18 and 21-12, handing the previously 34-0 Utah Tech team their first loss of the year, and their second-ever loss in their program’s history.

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While the win gave UVA much to celebrate, their job wasn’t over as they now had to battle the defending national champions, The UNC Tarheels. Both teams traveled well and the stands were packed with fans, players, and students donning either Carolina or Jefferson Blue. Before the match even started, the stadium echoed with school chants for both UNC and UVA. The crowd was roaring and the stage was set for what ended up being the most electric collegiate match in history.

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UVA's Unforgettable Journey to Claim the DUPR Collegiate National Championship Title

UVA came out on fire, handing the UNC women their first loss of the tournament and taking a 1-0 lead on UNC. The men’s doubles game had an extremely close half, with the Tarheels leading at the side change 11-7. However, UNC showed why they were the defending champions, made the necessary adjustments, and held the UVA men to just 2 points in the second half to win 21-9. UNC capitalized on the momentum and took the first mixed game against UVA 21-14. UVA showed the same grit and determination that carried them to the finals in the first place and took an early six-point lead in the first half that UNC just couldn’t recover from. UVA finished the game 21-13, forcing the first-ever dreambreaker in Collegiate National Championship finals history.

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UNC started the dreambreaker with a big 4-0 start against UVA. However, UVA battled back and their women in the 3rd and 4th dreambreaker spot, allowing UVA to trail by only one during the side changeover. UNC absolutely turned it on in the second half and found their rhythm. They marched on to a 20-16 lead and a championship point. Throughout the tournament, UVA proved time and time again that even when the odds are stacked against them, you can never count them out. Twice they defended UNC’s championship point, clawing their way to their own championship point, and ultimately stunning the Tarheels and winning the dreambreaker 23-21. Multiple times throughout the tournament, the Hoos defied the odds, battled back from deficits, and without a doubt, earned their crown as the new DUPR Collegiate National Champions.

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Thank you to everyone who came out to the event and a special thank you to all the teams, players, and all of our partners who helped make this event possible.

Thanks to our Partners

• Life Time - 2023 Collegiate Event Venue
• GAMMA - Official Paddle of Collegiate National Championships
• HEAD - Official Performance Footwear
• OOFOS - Official Recovery Footwear
• OSO Pickleball
• Cirkul
• Anheuser-Busch

Visit HERE for the full Collegiate National Championship Guide, including Brackets, Standing, and more!

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Sally and Paul founded Tres Palapas Baja Pickleball Resort ten years ago. Today, Tres Palapas is the cornerstone of pickleball in Mexico and also the number one global destination for the sport.

Since its opening, the resort has focused on promoting pickleball and has hosted numerous international junior tournaments. Throughout their years of operation, Tres Palapas has welcomed over half a million paying guests so far. The story of their dedication to the sport continues with DUPR.

How did you first get into pickleball?

"Twelve years ago I agreed to go for lessons and brought Sally with me. I personally learned pickleball by holding a paddle in my right hand and wearing flip-flops. After that two-hour lesson on bringing up stuff like ‘the kitchen’ and ‘the dink’, we were thinking ‘what is this?’ That same night we ran to San Jose and bought running shoes,” said Paul.

Why did you decide to get so involved with pickleball and combine it with your resort?

“We saw a need for a facility and we loved the game. Like I said, one of the reasons that made Tres Palapas what it has become is that we came from having no racquet experience of any kind and we built a place that we wanted to be at,” said Paul.

What is unique about Tres Palapas?

“We are different because we put pickleball first. We were built all around pickleball and it wasn't until this year that we actually opened rooms. There is so much more that you can have other than people coming to fill rooms. Other facilities are missing a huge part of the business. They are missing what you can bring to the community. Establishing a facility like Tres Palapas, has really refined how to be viable,” said Sally.

How important is the DUPR rating to you and your players?

“DUPR is getting very good recognition in the pickleball world. Now players are telling us, 'Here’s my DUPR,' and we get questioned if we use DUPR for registrations for our tournaments. Other than that, it's a huge motivator for the individuals who come in the door, and at the end of the day, it's great for the club because people have a greater investment in pickleball. Our players go from participating in events and clinics to becoming a greater part of the community,” said Paul.

How has the integration of the DUPR rating system contributed to the growth and development of players within your club?

"All that DUPR needs to know is the scores at the end of the game and who you were playing against. So being a resort, we've got our locals here, expats, as well as a lot of tourism. As an overall, we get a lot of different people coming in. It gives us a base to give people good quality play, especially for our round robins, our ladders, and leagues,” said Paul.

How has the pickleball space evolved since you started Tres Palapas?

“The first international junior tournament, which at the time was the largest junior tournament ever held, took place here at Tres Palapas in 2018. Some of the kids that were in that tournament are now running their own facilities in Mexico. DUPR makes their jobs easier and more possible. It gives them a solid foundation of something that's reliable. San Jose, our little tiny airport here, receives 7 million visitors from the United States alone every year, and a lot of them play pickleball. They need places to play and DUPR is helping out,” said Sally.

How do you think DUPR will help Mexico when it comes to the growth of the sport?

“The pickleball boom is on in Mexico. We're almost ten years into this now. We've had half a million paid entries through the gates. We have spawned so much pickleball in Mexico, and it's just at this point where it's starting to take off. You know, for us, we're the cornerstone in Mexico. Everybody still looks to us as to how they build their future. So hey, the next pickleball boom is right here. Mexico is it!” said Sally.

DUPR has teamed up with Tres Palapas to offer a fantastic 4 days - 3 nights giveaway on our Instagram page! To enter the giveaway, visit the post.

To learn more about Tres Palapas Baja Pickleball Resort, visit their website at: trespalapasbaja.com

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.

The Latest DUPR App Update Features Personalized Club Rankings Where You Can Track Your Rise Among Other Members

We are excited to introduce the latest DUPR app update. We now have rankings for players per club on Digital Club. Members of a digital club can now see how they rank within a club.

1. Track the progression of your rankings within your club and among its members.
2. Analyze the development of fellow club members.
3. Explore the top-ranked players in clubs nationwide.
4. Play in matches to ascend the ranks within your club.
5. Identify the leading player in your digital club.

Club Rankings Take Center Stage!

Get ready to elevate your game as DUPR introduces a game-changing feature: Club Rankings and Leaderboards! Picture this – you, your paddle, and a whole digital realm buzzing with excitement as you climb the ranks within your club. It's not just about hitting the ball — it's about owning the court!

Compare, Compete, Conquer

Turn up the thrill as you peek into the stats of other players in your club. Compare your growth, celebrate their achievements, and let the friendly banter begin. Who's the undisputed champ at your college club? It's time to find out!

Nationwide Showdown

But wait, there's more! DUPR isn't just about local supremacy; it's your passport to pickleball greatness across the entire country. Discover who reigns supreme in top clubs from coast to coast. Are you up for the challenge of taking on the best of the best?

Let the games begin!

We can't wait to watch those players continue to rise this weekend at MLP Dallas.

Challenger Level

Megan Fudge

Six upset wins since MLP Atlanta and 81% of wins across all doubles matches. Includes two quality upset wins against the high-ranked pairing of Simone Jardim (14th) and Parris Todd (4th) during the APP Sun Atlanta Open.

Recent APP Place Finished

ATL - Women's 1st

DAL - Women's 1st & Mixed 3rd

HOU - Women's 1st & Mixed 3rd

Collin Shick

He has been climbing for several months and continues doing so. Since the beginning of the year, Collin has a winning percentage of 60% despite being an underdog 60% of the time.

Premier Level

Vivian Glozman

She has won 54% of her APP doubles matches and is averaging 56% of points scored in APP matches since MLP Atlanta.

Recent APP Place Finished

ATL - Women's 3rd & Mixed 3rd

DAL - Women's 3rd

HOU - Women's 2ndPL

Andrei Daescu

He has won 87% of his APP matches and averaged 65% of points scored in matches since MLP Atlanta. Recent APP Place FinishedATL - Men's 1st & Mixed 2ndDAL - Men's 1st & Mixed 2ndHOU - Men's 1st & Mixed 2st

Follow DUPR on Instagram and stay tuned as we gear up for MLP Dallas!

Premier Level Draft

Steal #1 - Jade Kawamoto: Both Jade and her sister Jackie were major draft steals in the Premier Draft. Jade especially provided a great value pick for D.C. at 29 overall. Despite ranking 6th among MLP women on draft day, Jade was the 17th female drafted. A huge value, Jade increases her team's win probability by about 12 percent per match when compared to the typical 29th overall pick.

Steal #2 - Hurricane Tyra Black: Drafted at 36th overall, right around her draft day doubles ranking. However, since the MLP draft, HTB has shot up the women's doubles rankings to number 12 among MLP women. This disparity between doubles rank and draft position yields about 11 percent win probability added per match.

Challenger Level Draft

Steal #1 - Jaume Martinez Vich: Drafted at 44th overall, he is now the 5th-ranked men's doubles player in MLP Challenger. Given that their 4th round pick turned into the 5th overall men's doubles player in all of Challenger, it is not a surprise that Jaume's ascension yielded about 13 percent win probability added per match for the New York Hustlers.

Steal #2 - Patrick Smith: Despite going undrafted, Patrick Smith is one of the biggest values in Challenger after serving as an injury replacement for Brandon French of the Seattle Pioneers. The addition of Patrick and his subsequent rise to the 4th highest-rated men's doubles player in Challenger provides a 17 percent win probability added per match for his team.

Player ranking is only relative to other MLP Players

Kurt Schroeder is no stranger to DUPR, having brought the first Mexican club onto the DUPR platform. Although he only started playing pickleball about two years ago, Kurt is passionate about growing pickleball in his community of Progreso, a port city on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, and promoting fair and equal play for all. After what was supposed to be a one year adventure, Kurt has never looked back and has spent the last 13 years in Mexico since moving from Canada.

Kurt had originally been introduced to pickleball by his friends from the Canadian city, Calgary because they wanted something to do while visiting him over the Christmas holiday. The story starts with Kurt’s long time friends ready and wanting to play, but the local groups would not let them participate because they were already over capacity with winter members. One of Kurt’s friends then said, “Just build me a court.” Kurt went on to measure his backyard parking area to see if a court would fit, and sure enough, it did. Then the Knights Court, named after the last name of his friends who requested it, came alive.

How important is the DUPR rating to you and your club?

DUPR is so important to our club because it allows us to group our players six at a time with people of similar abilities. There is nothing more frustrating than having one player who does not fit in the right category because it ruins the game for everybody else. So, it really helps us sort out who belongs where.

Do you think the DUPR rating helps motivate people?

It does for some people, and people are certainly driven by the rating. We would definitely like to see the latter come into effect.

Do you have any significant milestones or goals that you would like to share?

In the next five to ten years, there will be a lot of growth in pickleball here in Mexico. I also think that when we get more people entering their scores into DUPR, that will be a big thing. If every game was put into DUPR, that would also be great.

The Knights Court is known for having a mural that spans the length of the court which includes paintings of all Kurt’s friends and family, comical pickleball sayings, the name of the court, and even a couple DUPR logos.

“A local muralist did all of these. There are our three dogs, my niece, and my grandma. She also painted my wife and I. There are caricatures of everybody such as our parents, friends, and other family members,” said Kurt. His home offers six suites, which all have access to the court.

As Kurt said, “In Mexico, people can have donkeys, chickens, or roosters living next door and there are no complaints.” But when the pickleball court opened, people complained, ‘Why are people having so much fun at seven in the morning shouting and yelling?’ Kurt then had to move his regularly scheduled pickleball games from the early morning to late evening.

As DUPR grows into different parts of the world, the organization is proud to have enthusiasts such as Kurt, who are passionate about pickleball, help grow the sport, and spread awareness about DUPR.

About The Knights Court

The Knights Court is based in Progreso, Mexico, and was created to ensure a fun spot for all friends to play. Check out their Facebook page for more information: The Knights Court

View the full interview on our YouTube channel.

At Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, we are committed to maintaining a fair and transparent environment for all our users. Our community guidelines are designed to ensure that every participant has an equal and enjoyable experience within our platform.

Any user found in violation of our community guidelines will face appropriate action, including removal from our platform. We are actively monitoring these activities and diligently working around the clock to identify and remove cheaters.

Our mission is to provide a trustworthy and inclusive platform for all pickleball enthusiasts, and we appreciate the vigilance of our community members in reporting any suspicious behavior.

Together, we can maintain the integrity of our platform and ensure fair play for everyone. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the values that make Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating a vibrant and thriving community.

Sincerely,

DUPR Team