Pickleball Stories You Need to Hear This Hispanic Heritage Month

Pickleball is considered one of the most inclusive sports in the world thanks to its easy-to-learn nature, low barrier to entry, small court size, and ability to welcome players of all ages and abilities. In the last few years, the sport has exploded in the United States and Asia, and now that same momentum is reaching Hispanic countries.
The #1 player in the world is Argentinian, Federico Staksrud, but let’s be real: being a pro is only part of the story. What makes pickleball special isn’t just the medals and sponsorships, it’s sharing a game with your family, your friends, your community, without excessive costs or complicated gear.
It’s landing in a new country, stepping onto a court, and breaking the ice with a simple question: “What’s your DUPR?”
This month, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting how pickleball is making an impact across Spain and Latin America. According to Grand View Horizon’s Research, the pickleball equipment market in South America alone is projected to reach $76.6 million by 2030. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia are leading the way, building clubs, hosting tournaments, and opening the doors for thousands of new players.
And behind the numbers are real people whose lives have been transformed by the game.
Maria Fernandez Costantino — Spain
“Pickleball has changed my life by giving me a fun way to stay active, meet amazing people, and feel part of a welcoming community.”

Maria discovered what so many players around the world feel: the community is just as powerful as the competition. Looking ahead, she believes the key to growing pickleball in Spain is simple: open clinics, programs in schools and clubs, and more visibility on social media. The recipe is clear: make pickleball accessible, and the growth will follow.
Interested in opening a pickleball club?
Apply to become a DUPR Club; it’s completely free. You’ll be paired with a dedicated account manager who will guide you every step of the way, offering expert support and proven programming recommendations to help you build and run a thriving pickleball community.
Pierina Imparato — Venezuela
“Pickleball has honestly been life-changing for me. It keeps my competitive spirit alive, but what I love most is the people.”

Pierina embodies the heart of pickleball. She’s built friendships across generations, traveled the country, and found joy in every match. For her, the future of pickleball in Venezuela starts with accessibility: affordable gear, open courts, and Spanish-language resources like videos and clinics. And if kids and families discover the sport early through schools or community programs, she’s confident they’ll fall in love with it too.
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Tony Ottamendi — Venezuela
“Pickleball changed my life thanks to the fact that since I started practicing this sport step by step I was able to fulfill several dreams and goals, such as playing professionally, getting sponsorships, and traveling to other countries to compete.”

Tony’s journey shows how pickleball can open doors to competition and opportunity. But he also knows there’s still more to do. For him, the next step is promotion through tournaments, clinics, and events at every level. The more opportunities players have, the faster the sport will grow.
Want to find pickleball tournaments near you?
Download the DUPR App and tap the Events tab. It instantly shows players, clubs, and tournaments happening in your area.
Bruno Faletto — Chile
With a professional and collegiate tennis background, Bruno found in pickleball a way to stay competitive while balancing life after college.

“Because of pickleball, I continue to take care of my body, eat healthy, exercise, train, and have goals as an athlete—one of them to be able to represent and play for Chile in hopefully soon-to-be added Olympic Games.”
For Bruno, Chile’s pickleball scene is still in its early stages. To accelerate growth, he points to the need for official amateur tournaments powered by DUPR or pro leagues, as well as clinics led by Chilean and South American pros to inspire new players.
One Community, Many Stories
From Spain to Venezuela to Chile, the message is clear: pickleball is changing lives. Whether it’s Maria building community, Pierina creating connections, Tony chasing professional dreams, or Bruno raising the bar in Chile, the common thread is inclusion and opportunity.
And the momentum isn’t slowing down. This November, the Pickleball World Cup will showcase teams from across the globe, including many Hispanic countries featured here. It’s another step in showing how far the sport has come, and how bright the future looks.
Stay tuned for updates and highlights by following us on Instagram @duprpb.
Because wherever pickleball travels, the community follows.

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