Pro pickleball player Bobbi Oshiro takes us behind the scenes of the 2025 US Open Pickleball Championship, sharing her firsthand experience from one of the world’s biggest pickleball tournaments. From epic rallies to prize money debates (and yes, DUPR pickleball ratings), Bobbi covers it all.

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📅 April 26 – May 3, 2025

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The US Open Pickleball Championships have once again proven why they’re one of the biggest and most exciting pickleball tournaments in the world—right up there with the PPA and MLP circuits. This year’s event smashed records, with around 3,500 players—a 10% jump from last year!

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Players came from all 50 states and over 40 countries, making it a true global event. Just yesterday, I chatted with someone who flew all the way from Brazil to play his first-ever US Open. That tells you everything about how fast pickleball is growing worldwide.

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For context, last year’s tournament drew about 2,600 players from 47 states and 13 countries. Pretty impressive, but the US Open took it up a notch.

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And here’s the best part for anyone obsessed with their DUPR pickleball ratings (🙋‍♂️): this year’s event generated over 5,600 match results, all counting toward DUPR - the perfect boost we all needed for our reliability score. 

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With so much happening, here are my top 3 takeaways from this epic week:

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🔥 ALW + Agassi: The Duo Everyone Talked About

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One of the biggest stories this year? Anna Leigh Waters teaming up with tennis legend Andre Agassi. This partnership created serious buzz and definitely helped pack the stands.

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It was surreal to watch the world’s best pickleball player join forces with one of tennis’s all-time greats—two worlds colliding in the best way. Agassi usually sticks to rec games at home in Las Vegas, but he's also been making waves behind the scenes, investing in top names like DUPR.

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Even though they lost in the Round of 16, fans were pumped just to see Agassi compete. Huge thanks to Anna Leigh Waters for letting Simone Jardim and me sneak in a quick pic with Steffi Graf and Agassi after their match. 😄

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🏟️ What It’s Like Playing the US Open

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If you’ve ever wondered why the US Open keeps growing every year, let me break it down. There are 60 courts, tons of food vendors, and a community vibe that’s hard to beat. Most players roll in with their club crew, and the energy is awesome.

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From a pro’s perspective? It’s a grind. The Franklin balls were super soft this year, which meant looong rallies (my legs can confirm 😅). The tournament uses a progressive draw: one round per day, starting Monday with the Round of 64 and wrapping up Saturday with the finals.

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I was lucky enough to snag a spot in the Skechers Pro Club, which meant on-site parking (a huge win), access to the pro lounge, and daily meals—honestly, a game-changer during a week like this.

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Not everything was perfect, though. The PickleballDen site struggled under the pressure (can’t blame them too much—it was probably their first tourney of this size), and the prize money distribution raised some eyebrows. Here’s the breakdown:

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• 🥇 Doubles Gold: $7,600 per player
  
  
• Quarterfinalists: about $275 per player
  
  

Senior pros had it even tougher, with payouts only for the top 3 teams—gold medalists took home $2,250 each. Some players floated the idea of spreading payouts across all rounds (e.g., if you lose in the Round of 32, you still get something). Honestly? Could be a solid improvement.

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🎾 Junior, Wheelchair & Split Age Events: So Much Variety

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One of the coolest things about pickleball is how inclusive it is. This year’s US Open had something for everyone:

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• Junior pickleball is exploding, with tons of kids joining tournaments. These are the future stars of the sport.
  
  
• The wheelchair divisions were incredible to watch. Singles and doubles action with slightly different rules—but seriously inspiring stuff.
  
  
• I also jumped into my first Split Age event, where I teamed up with a partner over 50. Let me tell you—don’t sleep on the 50+ crowd. They might not move as fast, but their strategy and precision? Next level.
  
  

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Why It Matters for Pickleball Ratings

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With over 5,600 matches logged into DUPR, this tournament wasn’t just about trophies—it was a huge opportunity for players to boost their pickleball ratings. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a pro chasing points, every match here made a difference.

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And that’s the beauty of DUPR: no matter where you play—Naples, Brazil, or your local rec center—your matches count, and your progress is tracked globally.

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If you're looking to improve your game, Bobbi also shares plenty of pickleball tips, drills, and strategy advice worth checking out.  Find your next tournament and track your results anytime with the DUPR app. Whether you’re a newbie or a gold medal contender, it’s your go-to for everything pickleball ratings. 💪

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