Salt Lake City, UT – February 6, 2026 – The Picklr, North America’s fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, today announced it has formally standardized on the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) and DUPR Coach as its exclusive global rating system. This landmark decision empowers The Picklr’s nationwide P4 Certified Coaches and franchise partners to deliver accurate, universal player ratings while providing transformative education, new revenue opportunities, and a unified player development pathway.
Between 2025 and 2026, up to 400 Picklr P4 Certified Coaches will be onboarded into the DUPR Coach program, ensuring every facility is equipped with expert, credentialed professionals capable of running DUPR rating sessions, implementing the DUPR system, and integrating players of all skill levels into the global rating ecosystem. Currently, there are more than 2,000 DUPR Coaches worldwide, with approximately 200 serving as Picklr P4 Coaches, starting with at least two at each location. This makes The Picklr the largest franchise network fully aligned on DUPR and DUPR Coach to date.
“The decision to fully embrace DUPR and DUPR Coach reflects our commitment to player development, coaching excellence, and the growth of the sport,” said Jorge Barragan, CEO and Co-Founder of The Picklr. “By standardizing ratings across every Picklr facility, we are creating a truly universal language of pickleball, giving players, coaches, and clubs the tools to grow, compete, and measure progress consistently, no matter where they are.”
The DUPR Coach integration is fully aligned with The Picklr’s P-Series development framework, which guides players from first engagement to elite competition across P1–P4 levels. P4 Certified Coaches leverage DUPR Coach alongside Wingfield Assessments, a 24-shot AI-powered evaluation that provides precise performance insights, video analysis, and DUPR rating integration. Together, DUPR Coach and Wingfield Assessments allow coaches to run structured rating sessions, track measurable outcomes, and accelerate skill development, ensuring players at every level are accurately rated and connected to resources that support improvement and competitive readiness.
“The collaboration between The Picklr P4 Coach program and DUPR Coach is a game-changer for our coaches and players,” said Matt PaneGasser, Vice President of Pickleball at The Picklr. “It allows us to educate our coaches on delivering meaningful rating sessions, implement a consistent global system, and bring players into a verified, universally recognized rating pathway. DUPR Coach is not just a tool—it’s an engine for growth for the sport and for our franchise communities. Coaches engage with players, provide lessons, and guide them through a clear, measurable development pathway, and players get a true starting point for their journey.”
The Picklr Franchise owner and DUPR Coach JP Parker added, “Being able to offer Coach-Assigned DUPR Ratings has elevated our programs and leagues. I run and operate DUPR education classes, Coach-Assigned DUPR Rating Sessions, DUPR-gated leagues, and open play at my Picklr clubs because of the value they bring to our communities. It drives engagement, improves competition, and opens new revenue opportunities. DUPR and DUPR Coach empower our team to deliver a professional, standardized experience that benefits players, coaches, and club operations alike. It is my main revenue generator and keeps people engaged consistently.”
The Picklr currently operates over 50 locations nationwide and recently announced plans to expand to 80 additional facilities across nearly a dozen states, with international efforts in Asia, Australia, and Europe. With the combined power of the P4 Coach and DUPR Coach programs, The Picklr is uniquely positioned to standardize player ratings at scale, support the growth of the sport, and create a clear, measurable pathway for players of all levels, from recreational to competitive.
With the alignment of P4 Certified Coaches and DUPR Coach, The Picklr sets a new industry standard for excellence in coaching, player development, and competitive integrity, solidifying its position as the largest franchise network dedicated to advancing pickleball through universal ratings and elite coaching.
The Picklr is North America's fastest-growing network of premium indoor pickleball courts, offering an unparalleled experience for players of all skill levels. With more than 500 state-of-the-art clubs sold nationwide, The Picklr provides programs for beginners to pros, and a vibrant atmosphere. Membership to The Picklr includes access to all club locations nationwide, free court reservations, four clinics per month, and unlimited participation in leagues, competitive play/events and tournaments. Follow The Picklr on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok for news on locations and tournaments, or visit https://thepicklr.com/franchise/ to learn more about owning a franchise.
DUPR Coach is a program designed to empower pickleball coaches to launch Coach-Assigned DUPR ratings for the 34 million non-rated players worldwide. Powered by MyJourney Pickleball, DUPR Coach helps coaches provide valuable insights into players’ skill levels and supports the growth of pickleball through more competitive, enjoyable play. Coaches interested in becoming DUPR Coaches can visit duprcoach.com/coach-cert to sign up and learn more.
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) 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. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), PPA, Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.
If you’re serious about improving your pickleball rating, competing in pickleball tournaments, or climbing the pickleball rankings, your grip is one of the first fundamentals you need to dial in.
A proper continental grip gives you better control, cleaner contact, and more consistency, without having to swing harder. And the best part? You don’t need fancy techniques or complicated adjustments.
Let’s break down the two easiest, most effective ways to hold your paddle the right way.
Before we get into how to grip the paddle, let’s talk about why it matters.
A correct pickleball grip helps you:
The easiest way to find a proper pickleball grip? Pretend you’re holding a hammer.
This grip prevents you from over-rotating the paddle face and helps you stay consistent across shots.
Why it works: The hammer grip keeps your wrist mobile and your paddle square, key elements for clean contact and control.

Watch How To Make A Hammer Grip here
Another simple trick: give your paddle a handshake.
If this grip feels familiar, that’s a good sign, it’s the same grip most high-level players use for serves, returns, dinks, and volleys.
Pro insight: The handshake grip and hammer grip are essentially the same thing, two different ways to find a neutral, all-purpose pickleball grip.

Watch How To Make The Handshake Grip here
You don’t need a different grip for every shot in pickleball.
A continental grip works across:
Constantly changing grips slows you down, and in competitive pickleball, reaction time matters
Even experienced players fall into these habits:

Fixing your grip is one of the fastest ways to clean up your game, without changing your swing.
Success on the court is built on control and solid fundamentals. As you refine your skills and let your game evolve, remember to track your journey and log your latest scores on the DUPR app to see where you stand.
Want more insights? Check out our blog page and follow @duprpb on Instagram.
The College Pickleball Tour rolls into Virginia this February with a Super Regional that will have major implications for the road to Nationals. With bids on the line, top programs from across the region will converge for a packed weekend of team play, challenger brackets, and high-level individual matchups.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into the event.
The Super Regional will be hosted at Performance Pickleball RVA, one of the premier pickleball facilities in the Mid-Atlantic. Known for its competitive environment, adaptive pickleball programs and strong coaching presence, Performance Pickleball RVA has become a hub for elite-level play, and it’s a fitting stage for a college pickleball tournament of this magnitude.

This Super Regional will award 3 bids to College Nationals to the highest-performing teams that do not already have a bid.

With only three bids available, expect aggressive lineups, strategic pairings, and very little margin for error.

These players are expected to be central to their teams’ success, especially in tight group play and elimination rounds where depth and consistency matter.

This Super Regional is supported by a strong lineup of partners helping elevate collegiate pickleball:
With the season ramping up and Nationals on the horizon, the Virginia Super Regional is shaping up to be one of the most consequential stops on the College Pickleball Tour.
To stay up to date, make sure to follow @duprpb and @collegiatepickleball
February 4, 2026, World Cancer Day
On World Cancer Day, DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) announced a partnership with world-record holders and DUPR Coaches Angelo A. Rossetti and Ettore Rossetti to launch a new community-driven initiative supporting cancer survivors through the sport of pickleball. Aligned with the 2025–2027 World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique,” the initiative reflects a shared commitment to finding new ways to create impact together.
The Pickleball Volley Challenge invites participants from across the pickleball community to challenge the 113-volley, one-minute record set by the Rossetti Brothers. Launching on February 16, the initiative is designed to unite the sport through friendly competition while driving meaningful charitable impact, culminating on World Pickleball Day, October 10, 2026.
Participants are encouraged to:
The challenge is intentionally simple, fun, and inclusive, making it easy for players of all levels to participate while supporting those who have fought, and are still fighting, cancer.
For the Rossetti Brothers, this cause is deeply personal. After setting the Guinness World Records™ title for the longest pickleball rally in history—16,046 shots in 6 hours and 11 minutes—their mother passed away from pancreatic cancer. Since then, Angelo and Ettore have continued to use record-breaking challenges as a platform to raise awareness and give back to cancer-related causes.
“Purpose has always come before records for us,” Angelo A. Rossetti shared. “This challenge is about honoring our mom and helping others through the power of sport and community.”
Participants are asked to use the following hashtags when sharing their videos:
#DUPRForCharity #RallyForCharity #PBVolleyChallenge
“Pickleball has an incredible ability to bring people together, and at DUPR we believe it should also be a force for good. Partnering with the Rossetti Brothers on this challenge allows our community to rally around a meaningful cause while honoring the resilience of cancer survivors.” said Tito Machado, DUPR’s CEO.
By uniting pickleball players around a shared goal, DUPR and the Rossetti Brothers hope to spark a global movement, one volley at a time, showing how sport can be a force for good.
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) 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. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.
Identical twins, Angelo & Ettore, collectively known as The Rossetti Brothers — are certified coaches and professional players. They have set four Guinness World Record® titles, including the Longest pickleball rally (16,046) and volley (10,532). They’ve been featured in the printed Guinness World Records book 4 times, the most recent in the 2026 edition.The Rossetti Brothers teach and coach pickleball in Connecticut and across New England, including Pickleville in New Haven, CT, their home club. The brothers are certified RSPA (Racquet Sports Professionals Association) and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) coaches, with Angelo being a master professional. They provide professional instruction for players of all ages and levels including aspiring touring pros. The brothers received Save the Children’s Stream Team Humanitarian award in 2020 for raising funds for the organization through their Rally for Charity events. Follow the Rossetti Brothers on the Web: http://www.RossettiBrothers.com, http://www.tennacity.org and on social media@rossettibrotherspickleball or @rallyforcharity, #rallyforcharity or #twinpossible.
For DUPR:
Jimena Garbino, Digital Marketing & Public Relations Specialist
jimena@mydupr.com
For The Rossetti Brothers:
Angelo A. Rossetti media@rossettibrothers.com
Across the U.S., student-run pickleball clubs are building real communities, logging thousands of matches, and setting a new standard for competitive college play. Using data from DUPR, we took a deep dive into the numbers to see which programs are leading the way.
Below, we break down the Top 10 College Pickleball Clubs across four key categories:
Membership size matters: it reflects recruitment, visibility on campus, and consistent engagement.
These programs operate as structured student organizations, not just teams. UVA and Florida lead the way, each nearing or exceeding 500 members, reflecting pickleball’s growing presence on campus.

Membership is one thing but matches played show commitment.
Virginia Tech clearly leads the charge here, logging 600 recorded matches, an incredible sign of weekly play, structured events, and competitive depth.

Reliability scores are a big deal in pickleball. They indicate how much you can trust a player’s rating, and a reliability score above 60 is generally considered strong. The clubs highlighted here stand out because their players consistently record results, forming the backbone of fair, accurate competition.
Wisconsin–Whitewater takes the top spot here, proving that quality participation can matter just as much as size.

Some states are emerging as leaders in collegiate pickleball.
Florida, Texas, and California are tied at the top; no surprise given year-round play, strong rec sports culture, and access to facilities.

These DUPR rankings tell a bigger story:
As the College Pickleball Tour continues to grow, expect these programs to set the standard, and new schools to rise quickly by following their blueprint.
Interested in starting a college pickleball club at your school? Here’s how to get started
Centerline Athletics, the performance pickleball apparel brand designed by players for players, today announced the continuation of its partnership with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) through a new agreement for the 2026 season. Building on a successful collaboration in 2025, the renewed partnership reflects a shared focus on supporting the rapidly expanding Collegiate Pickleball tour and Minor League Pickleball as critical competitive pathways for developing athletes.
As part of the partnership, Centerline Athletics has been named the Official and Exclusive Apparel Partner of DUPR, aligning two organizations that share a commitment to performance, innovation, and the continued growth of pickleball at every level of play.
Through this collaboration, Centerline Athletics will have a strong presence across key DUPR-owned and operated competitive platforms, including collegiate, high school, and developmental league events. The partnership creates meaningful opportunities to connect directly with emerging athletes and competitive communities while supporting DUPR’s mission to unify and elevate the sport through accurate, accessible player ratings.
“DUPR has become the gold standard for measuring performance in pickleball,” says Scott Brown, Managing Director for Centerline Athletics. “This partnership allows us to engage with players where competition and development intersect, while reinforcing our focus on apparel that performs at the highest level of the game.”
DUPR’s data-driven rating system provides players with a universal, objective measurement of skill based on real match play, helping athletes track improvement, find competitive balance, and engage more deeply with the sport. By partnering with Centerline Athletics, DUPR expands its ecosystem to include premium performance apparel designed specifically for the demands of pickleball competition.
“Centerline Athletics understands pickleball athletes and the evolution of the sport,” said Ben Van Hout, Head of Sponsorship and Partnership at DUPR. “Their performance-focused approach and dedication to the community make them an ideal partner as we continue to grow collegiate, youth, and developmental competitive pathways.”
A look at the players who made the biggest moves in the DUPR rankings
The end of the year and start of a new season is often when breakout performances happen and December and January were no exception. From teenagers cracking the Top 50 to established pros making major jumps in new disciplines, these players didn’t just improve their game, they moved the needle in the DUPR pickleball rankings.
Here are the top DUPR risers to watch:
At just 14 years old, Camden Chaffin is already making waves on the pro stage. At the PPA Indoor National Championships in January, he notched impressive wins over top players Donald Young and Federico Staksrud before falling to Chris Haworth in a tight three-game quarterfinal match.
The run marked a major breakthrough for the young standout, as he cracked the Top 50 in the DUPR Men’s Singles Rankings, currently sitting at No. 34 with a 6.273 rating. Camden represents the next generation of elite pickleball talent on the rise.

Speaking of next-generation talent making waves, Kiora Kunimoto is doing just that at only 17 years old. The teenager has broken into the Top 25 of the DUPR Women’s Singles Rankings, making a massive jump from a 5.469 to a 5.720 rating, good for No. 13 overall. Not bad for a teen!
Kiora continued her strong run with a 4th-place finish in singles at the PPA National Indoor Championships in January, earning impressive wins over Hannah Blatt, Chao Yi Wang, and Brooke Buckner. Another clear sign that the future of pickleball is already here.

Keilly Ulery has officially broken into the Top 50 of the DUPR Women’s Singles Rankings, jumping an impressive 29 spots to No. 42. Her rise has been well earned. Competing primarily on the PPA Challenger circuit, Ulery has been a consistent presence on the podium and recently captured her first singles gold medal at the PPA Tucson Challenger in January. With that breakthrough win, she’s clearly ready for the next step, and we’re excited to see more of her on the PPA Tour.

In pickleball, singles and doubles are two very different games. Christopher Haworth is arguably the top men’s singles player on tour right now, and it’s been exciting to watch his rapid improvement on the doubles side as well. Haworth jumped an impressive 31 spots to No. 52 in the DUPR Men’s Doubles Rankings. sitting just outside the Top 50. His doubles game has come a long way, and a breakthrough into the Top 50 feels imminent in the next couple of months.

Riley Bohnert has been a regular competitor on the APP Tour and has now broken into the Top 50 of the DUPR Women’s Doubles Rankings, jumping 23 spots to No. 44. Training out of South Florida, which is home to many of the sport’s elite, it’s no surprise to see a noticeable rise in her game. At just 21 years old, Bohnert still has plenty of runway ahead, and you can expect to see much more from her as she continues to develop and compete at a high level.

At just 18 years old, Nicola Schoeman has taken over the No. 1 spot in the DUPR Junior Girls’ Doubles Rankings. Based in Australia, she competes frequently across her home country and throughout Asia.
Nicola has been a standout on the PPA Asia Tour, highlighted by a huge women’s doubles victory over Anna Bright and Roos van Reek at the PPA Malaysia tournament. An outstanding athlete and an even better person off the court, we hope to see more of Schoeman and ideally see her competing in America someday soon.

December and January showed us exactly why DUPR is such a powerful lens into player progression. Whether it’s teens breaking through on the pro stage or established players expanding their games into new disciplines, these risers are shaping what the next season of pickleball will look like.
Keep an eye on these names; you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the months ahead.
Delray Beach, 2 Feb. 2026 - JOOLA and DUPR today announced an expanded partnership by naming JOOLA as the Title Sponsor of The College Pickleball Tour, reinforcing a shared commitment to building a clear and sustainable pathway for college pickleball athletes.
As part of the agreement, The College Pickleball Tour will be powered by JOOLA, with JOOLA supporting events nationwide and continuing to invest in the development of competitive opportunities for student-athletes, including the tour’s flagship event, The Nationals. DUPR will remain the official rating and data platform for college play, providing athletes with a consistent way to track progress and compete within the broader pickleball ecosystem.
“College pickleball is one of the fastest-growing segments of the sport, and it plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of competitive players,” said Timber Tucker, College Relationship Manager at JOOLA Pickleball. “By expanding our partnership with DUPR and serving as title sponsor of The College Pickleball Tour, we’re doubling down on our commitment to building a strong college pathway.”
Since the earliest days of organized competitive pickleball, JOOLA and DUPR have worked closely to support players, clubs, leagues, and emerging pathways across the sport. This next phase of the partnership reflects a long-standing, strategic relationship built on shared values around growth, access, and competitive integrity.
“JOOLA has been a partner to DUPR since day one, and they’ve consistently invested in the long-term growth of pickleball,” said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. “Together, we’re focused on giving college athletes meaningful competition, clear progression through ratings, and a pathway that connects college play to the broader competitive landscape.”
Through this partnership, JOOLA will continue to play a central role in developing the college pathway, supporting student-athletes, teams, and events while helping bridge the gap between college pickleball and higher levels of competition.
More information about the DUPR College Pickleball Tour and upcoming events will be announced in the coming weeks.
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) 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. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.
About JOOLA
Founded in 1952, JOOLA is a globally recognized brand specializing in table tennis and pickleball equipment. With a commitment to innovation and quality, JOOLA continues to lead the way in racket sports, providing athletes and enthusiasts with the tools they need to excel at every level.