Bristol,TN, August 6, 2025, – In one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, #59 seed David Bieger (DUPR 6.025) shocked the crowd by defeating Tyson McGuffin in pro singles on center court at the PPA Bristol Open, just miles from where Bieger grew up.

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At just 22 years old, Bieger is no stranger to big moments. As a collegiate pickleball player at the University of Virginia, Bieger helped lead his team to a national title at the 2023 DUPR Collegiate National Championship, securing the $15,000 prize and marking what commentator and former Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel called “the greatest upset in collegiate pickleball history.”

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But few could have predicted what came next.

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Just a year and a half ago, Bieger entered the first DUPR Collegiate National Championship with a provisional rating of 3.92. Now, he's taken down one of the most recognizable names in pickleball on the pro stage.

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“I was just trying to stick to my game,” Bieger said in a post-match interview with the PPA.“Go for my serves, even though I missed a few, it’s important to stay aggressive and keep the targets big. Not aiming too close to the line. Not giving him any freebies. Making him earn every point.”

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It was a surreal moment for Bieger, who had friends, family, and local supporters cheering him on in the stands.

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“Oh, it’s incredibly special,” he said. “I’m grateful to the PPA for putting me on center court and having my friends and family here. For a small town like Bristol to host a PPA event, it’s truly an honor.”

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From College Champ to Pro Player

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David Bieger’s rise is a strong example of how DUPR is creating a path from college to pro pickleball. At UVA, he studied Computer Science and Physics and finished second in both singles and mixed doubles (with Lauralei Singsank) at the 2024 DUPR Collegiate Individual National Championships.

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Now competing on the pro stage, his rapid rise underscores the legitimacy of collegiate pickleball as a feeder system for the highest levels of the game.

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•  From 3.92 to 6.025 DUPR.
• From college champ to pro threat.
• From #59 seed to Tyson McGuffin upset.

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David Bieger. Remember the name. Because this is just the beginning.

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