Ellie Douglas had no plans—zero—to ever play a pickleball tournament. Coming from an elite tennis background, she admits,

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“I said I would never play a pickleball tournament in my life coming from tennis.”

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But fast forward to the DUPR Collegiate National Championship (CNC), and there she was: a finalist at her very first pickleball tournament, turning heads and surprising even herself.

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A Star on the Tennis Court

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For those unfamiliar with Ellie’s background, she’s no stranger to competition. A standout at Texas Christian University (TCU), Ellie racked up accolades early:

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• 2019 Big 12 Freshman of the Year
  
  
• All-Big 12 Singles First Team
  
  
• Ranked as high as No. 16 in ITF junior world rankings
  
  
• Competed at the US Open, French Open, and Wimbledon as a junior
  
  
• Multiple ITF titles and a blue-chip recruit
  
  

With such an impressive tennis résumé, you'd expect a smooth transition to pickleball. But as Ellie quickly learned, this sport has its own rhythm—and its own unique culture.

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“Pickleball Is a Lot More Vocal”

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Jumping into her first DUPR pickleball tournament, Ellie noticed the difference right away.

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“Pickleball is a lot more vocal than tennis. Everyone is fired up; way more energy than tennis. Tennis is more quiet, polite—here it’s all noise, energy, and getting into it.”

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It wasn’t just the noise that caught her attention; it was the pace and intensity. Despite relying heavily on her tennis instincts, Ellie realized pickleball required a different tactical approach—especially in singles.

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“I probably should have practiced singles more,” she admitted. “But I leaned on my tennis background and made it work.”

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A Cinderella Run to the Finals

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Ellie’s CNC run was nothing short of inspiring. Competing in a national pickleball tournament for the first time—and without prior experience in DUPR-rated events—she and her team powered through the brackets to land in the finals.

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Even though the championship match ended in a tight loss, Ellie was proud of her performance and her team’s resilience:

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The CNC event was more than just a tournament—it was a gateway into collegiate pickleball culture. Ellie met fellow athletes, absorbed the sport’s grassroots energy, and began to rethink her relationship with pickleball.

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What's Next for Ellie Douglas?

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So, is Ellie ready to make the full leap to professional pickleball?

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“I’m not sure yet,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of interesting people at the CNC, and who knows? We’ll see”

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Like many high-level tennis players before her, Ellie is discovering that pickleball tournaments aren’t just a passing trend—they’re a legitimate, competitive arena that rewards both strategy and stamina. And with her DUPR pickleball ratings now officially on the board, the door is wide open.

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Why This Story Matters

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Ellie Douglas’s journey is a perfect example of how DUPR pickleball tournaments are drawing elite athletes from other sports—especially tennis—into the pickleball fold. Her quick rise from newcomer to CNC finalist shows how the DUPR rating system creates a clear path for players to track their progress and compete on a national stage.

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As collegiate pickleball continues to grow, stories like Ellie’s highlight the sport’s evolving landscape and its ability to bridge gaps between disciplines.

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Ready to Make Your Mark?

Whether you're a tennis convert or brand new to the game, DUPR pickleball tournaments are your chance to earn a rating, improve your game, and join a global community. Sign up today and track your journey with the world’s most accurate pickleball rating system.