DUPR Announces JOOLA as Official Sponsor of DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Events

Minor League Pickleball at MLP Virginia Beach to Be Inaugural Event, September 28-29

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MLP by Margaritaville (MLP) and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) today announced a partnership to launch MLP’s schedule of amateur events - which will operate alongside several 2024 MLP events, starting with MLP Virginia Beach in September - under Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) branding, format, event management and operations.

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“This partnership between MLP and DUPR is an incredibly valuable component of the MiLP at MLP amateur events launch,” said MLP CEO Bruce Popko. “We can’t think of a better way to bring Major League Pickleball’s thrilling coed team format to amateur players, who will be able to play alongside MLP’s exhilarating and fan-friendly pro events.”

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“DUPR, MLP and MiLP are joining forces to deliver the best pickleball experiences for players of all levels,” said DUPR CEO Tito Machado. “MLP's professional events are known for their electric atmosphere for players and fans, and now we are excited to offer amateur players across the country the once in a lifetime opportunity to compete like pros in their regions and advance towards a national championship."

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These events will give registered amateurs the opportunity to play in events alongside MLP’s professional teams and players, supporting new, exciting pathways for players to compete and showcasing the connectivity within the broader pickleball community.

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DUPR-preferred event directors will run the MiLP at MLP tournaments, providing the best amateur pickleball experience under the coed team format where mixed teams of four players (two women and two men) are broken into divisions based on their combined DUPR rating to compete against each other in four games played to 21 points (two gendered, two mixed).

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Winners will earn a Dream Ticket and automatically qualify for the 2024 Minor League Pickleball National Championship, which will feature $50,000 in prize money across six divisions - DUPR 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 - and be held at the Missouri Pickleball Club in Fenton, MO, Dec. 13-15.

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Event registrations will be available through Pickleball Brackets:

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About Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville)

MLP by Margaritaville (Major League Pickleball) is the preeminent team-based professional pickleball league, featuring nearly 100 of the best athletes across 22 teams, a unique coed format, easy to understand scoring, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. Founded in 2021, MLP named its first-ever title sponsor, Margaritaville, branding the league MLP by Margaritaville in December 2022. For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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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. Players and operators can visit the DUPR website or download the app to sign up and learn more.

Muscle cramps can ruin your pickleball game. They strike without warning, leaving you sidelined and frustrated. But there's good news: you can prevent them with the right approach.

Pickleball players face unique challenges inthe summer heat. Long matches, intense rallies, and scorching temperatures create a perfect storm for dehydration and cramping. We'll explore why this happens and how to stop it.

By the end, you'll have a clear plan to stay hydrated and cramp-free. Let's dive in and keep you on the court all summer long.

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Understanding the Cramp Culprits

Many players instinctively blame dehydration for their muscle cramps, but the reality is more nuanced. While hydration certainly plays a crucial role, muscle fatigue is an equally important factor often overlooked. 

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Dehydration can indeed trigger cramps, but simply drinking water isn't always the solution. 

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Electrolyte imbalance can cause cramping even if you're well-hydrated, which is why smart replenishment strategies are essential. Moreover, as muscles fatigue during intense play, the nerve signals controlling contractions can become disrupted, leading to involuntary spasms.

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Research has shown that cramp-prone athletes tend to lose more sodium through sweat, making thoughtful hydration particularly crucial for pickleball players battling the summer heat. Studies have also demonstrated that electrolyte-rich sports drinks fortified with carbohydrates are significantly more effective than water alone in delaying the onset of cramps. 

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By addressing both hydration and muscle fatigue, you'll dramatically reduce your risk of cramps. Let's dive into practical steps to keep you playing at your best.

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Hydration: More Than Just Water

While chugging plain water before a match might seem like a smart move, it can sometimes backfire. Excessive water intake without proper electrolyte balance can actually dilute your body's mineral concentrations, potentially increasing your cramp risk.

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Instead, focus on a more strategic approach:

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• Consume a sports drink containing electrolytes 2-4 hours before play to prime your system.
• During activity, aim to replace 16-20 ounces of fluid for every pound of body weight lost through sweat.
• Consider using a hydration tracking app or smart water bottle to ensure you're hitting your targets.

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Grab the Ultimate Pickleball Hydration guide for more information on pre-, during, and post-match hydration. It includes a special formula for determining exactly how much fluid you need to consume every 15-20 minutes to stay in peak form on the court.

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[I WANT THE HYDRATION GUIDE]

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Proper hydration not only prevents cramps but also enhances overall performance and speeds up recovery between games. By fine-tuning your hydration strategy, you'll gain a significant advantage on the court. 

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However, hydration is just one piece of the puzzle – let's explore another crucial factor in cramp prevention.

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Fueling for Success

The role of nutrition in preventing muscle cramps is often underestimated, but it's a critical component, especially during grueling tournament play. Proper fueling keeps your muscles energized and less prone to fatigue-induced cramping.

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To optimize your nutritional strategy:

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• Consume a balanced meal rich in complex carbohydrates 3-4 hours before play to build up your energy reserves.
• During tournaments, snack on easily digestible carbs every 60-90 minutes to maintain steady energy levels.
• Consider using carb-electrolyte gels between games for a quick boost when time is limited.

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These tactics help keep your glycogen stores topped up, delaying the onset of muscle fatigue that can lead to cramping. While pickleball may not be as intense as ultra-endurance sports, the principle of consistent fueling still applies. Research on team sport athletes suggests consuming 30 - 60g of carbs per hour during prolonged activity – adapt this to your specific needs and playing duration. 

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By fueling smartly, you're helping your muscles function optimally and resist fatigue. This translates directly to fewer cramps and improved performance, especially in those crucial late-game moments. But there's one more vital element we need to address to complete your cramp-prevention arsenal.

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Training for Resilience

Your overall fitness level plays a significant role in how susceptible you are to cramping. The less conditioned you are, the faster fatigue sets in, increasing your risk of muscle spasms. This is especially true when you push beyond your usual intensity or duration of play.

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To build cramp-resistant muscles:

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• Gradually increase your pickleball training volume and intensity over time to improve your stamina.
• Incorporate resistance training into your overall fitness routine to improve strength, power, and stamina on the court.
• Don't neglect overall cardiovascular fitness – it's the foundation of your on-court endurance.

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A well-rounded training program complements your hydration and nutrition efforts, creating a powerful trifecta of cramp prevention. Together, these strategies form a comprehensive approach to keeping you on the court and off the sidelines.

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The Takeaway

Preventing muscle cramps requires a holistic approach that addresses hydration, nutrition, and fitness. By implementing the strategies we've discussed, you'll significantly reduce your risk of cramping and elevate your game, even in the most challenging summer conditions.

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Authors

Pratik Patel

Erik Korem, PhD

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Pickleball’s Most Important and Sought After Tournament Selects Leading Pickleball Rating System To Enhance Competition, Evaluate and Seed Players

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Pickleball’s most important tournament, The Minto US Open Pickleball Championships powered by Margaritaville, today announced it is selecting DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), as the Open’s official and exclusive ratings partner.

DUPR is pickleball’s most accurate global rating system. It evaluates players based on match results to provide a real-time, reliable assessment of their skill level. The US Open will use DUPR to provide transparency and help seed players, effective immediately in preparation for the 2025 tournament.

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“There is only one US Open in Pickleball, and we’re proud to be a part of it,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. “We are also excited to integrate with Pickleball Den to provide ratings for clubs, tournaments, and leagues who choose to create DUPR-enabled events within the seamless pickleball platform.”

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“We are pleased to partner with DUPR and adopt it as the official and exclusive ratings partner for the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships. This reflects our efforts to continue offering a fair, open and transparent competition for players at the most prestigious tournament in the sport and The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World®,” said Ben Weinberger, Pickle4 President.

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To further support players and tournament and club organizers, DUPR will seamlessly integrate into Pickleball Den (www.pickleballden.com), the US Open’s official tournament management software. Later this summer, clubs, tournaments and leagues  can enable DUPR for their events directly from the platform. This integration will streamline player ratings and profiles, allowing for easy and transparent creation of level-based competitions. Scores from DUPR-enabled events will automatically update player ratings, helping players understand their skill level, track progress, and find more playing opportunities.

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Players registering for the 2025 Open will be required to have a DUPR account. Players who do not currently have a rating can go to www.dupr.com or download the app to create a free profile and begin logging their match results to establish their rating. 

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About the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Powered by Margaritaville

The Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Powered by Margaritaville, owned by Spirit Promotions and founded in 2016, is the most important event in pickleball and welcomed over 3,200 athletes including 460 professionals from all 50 states and 31 countries who competed in more than 5,000 matches attracting approximately 50,000 spectators to Naples, FL in 2024. The 2025 US Open will be held April 26 - May 3, 2025 at East Naples Community Park in Naples, Florida. Pickle4 is the parent company of Spirit Promotions. For more information, visit www.usopenpickleball.com.

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About Pickleball Den

Pickleball Den, official tournament software of the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, is the technology powering the sport and provides a seamless pickleball tournament, club and league software experience while empowering directors, coaches and athletes. The software is trusted monthly delivering hundreds of tournaments, thousands of club events and millions of hours of on-time games. Club managers, tournament directors and league organizers can learn more at www.pickleballden.com.

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