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In competitive sports, people often talk about "grit." For 17-year-old Filipino athlete Alva "Thong" Bual, grit was about more than diving for a ball. It was about fighting through a system that was never built for him.

His journey to the PCL Asia Rising Stars Grand Finals in China is a story the staff still tells through tears. It serves as a reminder that the hardest matches are often played off the court.

The Door That Slammed Shut

Thong’s road to Hainan began with heartbreak in Davao. His team played their hearts out at the qualifiers, but the tournament math was cruel. They placed on the podium but missed the gold, and only first place earned a ticket to China.

For most players, the dream would have ended there. Thong refused to go home defeated and instead looked for a second chance in Cebu.

Just weeks later, backed by a sponsor who noticed his fire in Davao, Thong tried again. On March 7, 2026, he didn't just play. He dominated. He walked off the court as a champion with a golden ticket to the Grand Finals in his hand.

The Paperwork Puzzle

To fly a minor to China, you need a passport and a travel permit. Thong had neither. He grew up in a world where international travel felt like a fantasy, so he never had a reason to apply for them.

As the team scrambled to help him, they hit a devastating reality. Thong’s mother had passed away years ago and his father had been absent since Thong was eight. There were no IDs, no birth records, and no signatures. With less than two weeks before the tournament, Thong had a problem on his hands. 

A System with a Heart

Then something rare happened. As the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and DSWD heard Thong’s story, the bureaucracy softened. They saw a kid who had fought his way up with nothing behind him and decided to help.

The DFA worked through weekends to fast-track his passport, while the DSWD moved mountains to process his permit in record time. They were moved by the Filipino concept of naaawa. They simply refused to let his dream die on a desk.

‍The Only Reason He Saw His Father Again

Thong’s father did not come back into his life for a birthday. He did not come back for a holiday. He did not come back because he missed his son.

The paperwork process for the passport and the DSWD permit required the father’s involvement. His documents. His interview. His signature. That is the only reason they were reunited.

After nearly a decade apart, a son saw his father again because his son needed him to sign a form so he could fly to China to play pickleball. That is the reunion. A passport application. A government interview. A son chasing a dream, and a sport of all things, a sport being the reason a father walked back into his life, even briefly, even just for the papers.

Beyond A Gold Medal 

Thong made it to Hainan. He competed against the best from eight countries and trained with world-class pros like James Ignatowich. He also saw his hard work reflected in his official DUPR rating. 

While his team didn’t take home the trophy, Thong took home something better. His composure and talent caught the eyes of every scout in the arena. He was named an AEPA Standout Scholar, earning a full scholarship to the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy.

Thong went to China looking for a tournament and came back with a future. For more updates on the league, visit the Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Asia.

Integration enables players to link their DUPR account, submit scores, and share match video — all from within the Sporfie app — turning every recorded match into a rating opportunity.

Phoenix, AZ —Wednesday, April 15, 2026— Sporfie, the sports technology platform built around video capture, and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), the world’s most widely adopted pickleball rating system, today announced a partnership that connects match video with player ratings. The integration will allow Sporfie users to link their DUPR account directly within the Sporfie app, submit match results for official DUPR rating updates, and include match video alongside their score submissions.

For the millions of pickleball players who already rely on DUPR to track their skill level, this partnership removes friction from one of the sport’s most important workflows: getting rated. Instead of toggling between apps and manually entering results, players on Sporfie will be able to play, record, and submit — all in one place.

When players use Sporfie to record a match and enter scores through the in-video scoreboard, they’ll be able to push those results directly to DUPR for an official rating update — with match video attached. No app-switching. No re-entering data. Just one seamless workflow from court to rating.

“DUPR is the standard for how pickleball players measure themselves. What Sporfie adds is video — whether captured using our mobile app or through our installed fixed cameras, match footage can now travel with every submission, turning a score into a complete picture of how that match was played.”

— Sami Karoui, CEO and Founder, Sporfie

Video-backed submissions are a major step forward for the integrity of ratings. By connecting performance directly to real match footage, we’re adding a new layer of trust and transparency to the system. This not only strengthens the accuracy of DUPR, but also opens the door to a more scalable and inclusive future for player ratings worldwide.

— Tito Machado, CEO, DUPR

Availability: The integration will be available to Sporfie users by July 1, 2026.

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About Sporfie

Sporfie is a video technology platform built for sports. Compatible with any camera and designed to serve any sport, Sporfie provides recording, live streaming, coaching tools, AI-assisted line calling, in-video scorekeeping, and flexible monetization from free access to pay-per-view. Its open architecture integrates with third-party providers and adapts to the needs of players, facilities, leagues, and broadcasters. For more information, visit sporfie.com.

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. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), Major League Pickleball (MLP), USA Pickleball (USAP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, and National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and College Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

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Media Contact

Kyrill Hartog

kyrill@mydupr.com

Emily Hays

emily@sporfie.com

As we celebrate National Student-Athlete Day, we’re highlighting freshman Tessa Wilson and William Ye, who shared their experiences and insights about what it’s like to be a student-athlete in college pickleball. While balancing academics, training, and college pickleball tournaments takes focus, it’s also a chance to grow both as a player and as a student.

What It Means to Be a Student-Athlete

For freshman players like Tessa Wilson, college pickleball is a mix of excitement and responsibility. She explains that being a student-athlete is about representing her school while discovering who she is as both a student and a player.

“Pickleball has always been something I’m passionate about, but now it also comes with more responsibility, balancing independence, academics, and competition,” she said.

William Ye shares a similar perspective. For him, being a student-athlete means staying organized and focused while enjoying the competition and the sport he loves.

Balancing Academics, Training, and Tournaments

Managing school and college pickleball tournaments can be challenging. Tessa stays on top of her work by planning her week carefully and using small pockets of time for studying, like between classes or during travel.

“Balance is something I’m still learning every day. I’m figuring out what works for me and learning how to manage everything more independently,” Tessa explained.

William emphasizes the same idea: “student” comes first in student-athlete. He makes sure schoolwork is completed before stepping on the court. Both agree that time management is key to thriving in college pickleball.

Playing on the DUPR College Pickleball Tour

Being part of the DUPR College Pickleball Tour has been a big part of their college experience. For Tessa, it made college pickleball feel more real and competitive, motivating her to keep improving and representing her school well.

“Being part of the DUPR College Pickleball Tour as a freshman has been an amazing experience because it has introduced me to a higher level of competition right away. It’s pushed me to adapt quickly and grow as a player, while also giving me the chance to meet people from all over the country who share the same passion,” she noted.

William added:

“It has really improved my experience since college pickleball is such a big deal and is taken so seriously. It makes me feel like a true college athlete.”

Advice for Aspiring College Pickleball Players

Both Tessa and William encourage students to start early, stay organized, and enjoy the game. College pickleball is competitive but supportive, giving players the chance to grow, work on their pickleball ratings, and build connections with teammates and other college pickleball players.

“Don’t wait, just get involved as soon as you can. Most importantly, enjoy it. College pickleball is such a fun and supportive community, and it’s an experience you don’t want to miss,” Tessa said.

“If you even have a little bit of interest, go for it. It's the perfect way to have fun but also feel super competitive at the same time,” William added.

Why College Pickleball Matters

Being a student-athlete in college pickleball is about more than just competing. It’s about learning time management, balancing responsibilities, and being part of a growing community. Every college pickleball tournament is a chance to improve, compete at a higher level, and represent your school with pride.

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To learn more about college pickleball, check out this page, and to stay up to date on college pickleball events, follow @college.pickleball.tour on Instagram.

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The 2025-26 All-America Teams & The Road to The Nationals: Celebrating the Best in College Pickleball

The fifth season of college pickleball is right around the corner, showcasing a high level of talent across the country. As we prepare for The Nationals on April 9-12, we are thrilled to celebrate the incredible growth of our sport. The Nationals (previously known as the College National Championship) has expanded from 150 players to over 800 athletes.

To honor the elite talent driving this growth, we are proud to announce the 2025-26 All-America 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Teams!

For the third year, we are recognizing the top 24 players in the country. To ensure representation across the nation, we’ve split the honors between the East and the West (using the Mississippi River as the dividing line).

1st Team All-America: These players represent the absolute pinnacle of college pickleball and will face off in the highly anticipated East-West Game.

‍Friday Night Lights: The East-West Game

On Friday night (April 10th, 2026) at 6:00 PM, during The Nationals, the East and West 1st Teams will go head-to-head in the East-West Game. The Winning Team of the East-West game will earn an automatic spot to compete in the MLP Mid-Season tournament this summer.

For these aspiring pros, this is the ultimate opportunity to transition from the college stage to the professional arena and show the world what the next generation of pickleball looks like.

Join us in celebrating these 24 incredible athletes as they prepare to take the stage at The Nationals!

For more info on The College Pickleball Nationals, visit our blog page and follow @college.pickleball.tour on Instagram.

The Georgia Super Regional brought some of the best college pickleball action of the season!

Held at the Atlanta National Pickleball Club in Alpharetta, GA, on March 28–29, this marked the fourth Georgia Super Regional. With four now completed, it is matched only by the Arizona Super Regional, continuing to reflect the steady growth of college pickleball and the increasing scale of top-tier pickleball tournaments.

This year’s Georgia Super Regional wasn’t just notable for the level of competition; it also marked a milestone in DUPR College Pickleball Tour history as the second largest Super Regional to date!

FAU’s College Super Regional Streak Continues

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) remains the only school that can claim a perfect Super Regional record. From 2023 to 2024 in Florida, and now 2025–26 in Georgia, FAU has never lost a Super Regional they’ve attended!

Their streak reflects the strength of their club and the quality of their pickleball players, who continue to perform consistently in high-level competition.

SEC Schools Make Their Mark

The SEC schools made a strong showing this weekend. Alabama reached its first Super Regional final, defeating longtime rival Auburn in an intense semifinal matchup. Meanwhile, UGA and UF both advanced to the quarterfinals, showing that SEC programs continue to bring a high level of competition and depth to college pickleball tournaments.

Strong Returns and Key Upsets

FIU and ERAU returned to competition in their first DUPR College Pickleball Tour event since 2023, and both teams made an immediate impact.

FIU delivered one of the standout results of group play by taking down #2 seed UAH. Both FIU and ERAU went on to earn bids to The Nationals, marking a successful return and boosting their position in the broader landscape of college pickleball.

Depth Within Programs Stands Out

The weekend also highlighted the importance of roster depth across teams. LSU 4 team and Auburn 3 team both overperformed, finishing 2–1 in group play. Each placed higher than the other teams from their same schools, reinforcing how internal competition is raising the level of play among college pickleball players.

Efficient Group Play

Saturday’s rounds moved quickly and efficiently. Only 3 of the 64 group play matches went to a dreambreaker, with most matches decided in straight games. The pace allowed for a smooth schedule while still maintaining a high level of competition across the board.

Bids Earned

Auburn, UCF, LSU, FIU, and ERAU secured bids through their finishes in Georgia, adding to a growing list of programs positioning themselves for The Nationals.

High School Pipeline Keeps Growing

Alongside the college competition, four high school teams took the court throughout the weekend. Their participation highlights the strong connection between junior development and future collegiate programs, as more young pickleball players transition into the college system.

Download Your Pictures

Super Regional players, the Georgia SR photos are live! 📸 We’ve uploaded a shareable album with highlights from the weekend, team shots, action moments, and some of the best plays from the event.

You can view and download your photos here. Password: GeorgiaSR

Feel free to share with your teammates, post on social media, and tag DUPR at @duprpb when you do!

With just one week remaining until The Nationals, the focus now shifts toward final preparations as teams continue to test lineups, establish DUPR rankings, build experience, and position themselves for what will once again be the largest college pickleball event in history.

Regional Showdowns to Take Place at a Collection of 2026 MLP Pro Events; Registration Open Through MLP’s Official Website

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Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) and Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) today announced a partnership featuring a new series of Regional Showdowns - amateur pickleball competitions that will be integrated into select 2026 Major League Pickleball season events. Registration is now available via MLP’s official website.

MiLP Regional Showdowns are designed to bring meaningful, team-oriented competition to players of all skill levels and create a pathway to national championship play. These events will give amateur athletes the opportunity to compete in a four-player, coed team format (two women and two men) and a three-player, gendered team format (MiLP v3), following official MiLP team rules.

Regional Showdowns will be held alongside various MLP pro events throughout the league’s 2026 season:

• May 22-25 in Dallas, TX
• May 28-31 in Columbus, OH
• June 11-14 in Austin, TX
• June 25-28 in New York, NY
• July 16-19 in Newport Beach, CA
• July 23-26 in Chicago, IL
• Aug 13-16 in San Diego, CA

“This partnership is about community first - creating a structure where aspiring players, local markets, and professional teams all operate within the same system, strengthening pickleball from the ground up,” said Waseem Mansoor, Director of Team Business & Operations, MLP. “Together, we’re unifying and supporting development, visibility, and the long-term growth of the sport.”

“Minor League Pickleball is building the base and Major League Pickleball is building the spotlight,” said Cesar Clemente, VP of Revenue at DUPR. “When you connect a true grassroots pathway with a real pro stage, you don’t just grow a sport — you build a system. And it brings fans and amateur players who love the MLP format into the same place as the pros they admire.”

Key Features of MiLP Regional Showdowns:

• Open to all ages and skill levels, with players placed into divisions based on their DUPR rating
• Teams may compete independently or under an affiliated MLP Minor League team umbrella
• Division winners earn a “Dream Ticket” - an automatic qualification to the Minor League Pickleball Championships in early 2027 (date TBA)
• Every match contributes toward the MiLP National Leaderboard, fueling season-long competition and ranking
• As marquee events, all players will earn double the point system, based on their team’s event placement

The MiLP Championships represent the pinnacle of amateur team pickleball competition, featuring top teams from across the country and the world competing for significant prize money and international honors.

MiLP builds on MLP’s commitment to expanding the sport’s reach, offering amateur players a clear and exciting path forward as the sport of pickleball continues its rapid growth across the United States.

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About Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash)

Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) is the preeminent, coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring over 100 of the best athletes across 20 teams, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. In 2024, MLP and the PPA Tour merged under the newly-formed United Pickleball Association (UPA), bringing together the leading pro pickleball organizations under a single entity. Visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for more information.

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. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments, and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and College Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

About MiLP

‍Founded in 2022, Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) is the home of team pickleball and the largest amateur team pickleball league in the world. Built on the same coed, team-based format that powers the pro game, MiLP gives amateur players a clear pathway to compete, connect, and advance within a structured national and international system. With over 10,000 players and hundreds of events annually, MiLP operates across the United States, Canada, Australia, China,  and additional emerging markets, bringing team pickleball to clubs and communities around the globe. Visit the official Minor League Pickleball website and follow MiLP on social media for event information, rankings, and registration details.

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Media Contacts:

Jay Moskowitz, Major League Pickleball

Caroline Luelf, Minor League Pickleball

Throughout this week, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve been highlighting women who are helping shape the future of pickleball—from leaders behind the DUPR College Pickleball Tour and The Dink Minor League Pickleball powered by DUPR, to coaches, organizers, and professional athletes competing on the sport’s biggest stages.

Today, on International Women’s Day, we spotlight Anne Worcester, a pioneering sports executive whose career spans more than four decades across global racquet sports. From professional tennis to the rapidly rising world of pickleball, Worcester has helped shape the business and culture of sport through visionary leadership, relationship-building, and an unwavering belief in opportunity.

Her journey offers not only a remarkable career story, but also a powerful reflection on how women continue to transform the sports industry.

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A Career That Began With Opportunity—and a Leap of Faith

Like many careers in sports, Anne Worcester’s path began with a simple need: finding a job after college.

“I needed a job out of college,” Worcester says. “I was always a tennis player and also loved event marketing, so when I discovered that I could combine those skills and passions, I was sold.”

Her first opportunity came with IMG’s Racquet Sports Division, answering phones and processing ticket orders for an ATP tennis tournament in Boston. The role paid $250 a week with no benefits, and to many of her friends, the decision seemed questionable.

But Worcester saw something different: a doorway into an industry she loved.

Eleven years later, she was named CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)—becoming the first woman and youngest person to lead a major professional sports organization.

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Witnessing the Evolution of Women in Sports

When Worcester entered the sports industry in 1983, leadership roles for women were rare.

“There were very few women in senior leadership positions across the sports industry,” she recalls. “And when I worked in Spain in 1987, there were almost none.”

Over the decades, she has watched that landscape shift.

Today, the pipeline of women entering sports—from marketing and media to executive leadership—is stronger than ever. But Worcester is quick to point out that progress is still ongoing.

“There is still much progress to be made,” she says.

Her career itself has helped push that progress forward, serving as proof that women can lead at the highest levels of global sport.

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Advice for the Next Generation

For young women hoping to build careers in sports today, Worcester offers advice shaped by decades of experience.

“Keep at it—the wind is behind you,” she says, pointing to the meteoric rise in interest in women’s sports worldwide.

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Her message is both practical and empowering:

• Be willing to start at the bottom and learn every aspect of the industry
• Advocate for yourself when opportunities arise
• Take risks, even when the path isn’t clearly defined

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“Don’t wait for the perfect job all wrapped up in a bow to land at your feet,” she says. “It likely will not happen.”

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Balancing career and family also became part of her story. For years, Worcester juggled raising two children while managing the demands of leadership roles in the sports world.

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“I drove up and down I-95 for 20 years raising two kids, running a household and working full time,” she recalls with a smile. “I always said I felt like my hair was on fire driving up and down 95.”

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The Art of Leadership: Building Trust Across the Industry

Over the course of her career, Worcester has worked across nearly every layer of the sports ecosystem—players, sponsors, tournaments, governing bodies, media partners, and governments.

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The key to aligning so many stakeholders?

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“Open communication and finding common goals,” she explains.

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For Worcester, leadership has always centered on relationships and trust.

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“Building relationships is critical—and engendering trust with colleagues at all levels,” she says.

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Her leadership philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful principle:

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“Companies are people.”

Respecting colleagues, valuing contributions at every level of an organization, and leading by example have been the pillars of her approach throughout her career.

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Why Pickleball’s Growth Feels Different

After four decades in racquet sports, Worcester has seen many trends come and go—but the rise of pickleball stands out.

“Pickleball is everything the consumer wants or needs,” she says. “It’s social and it’s fun. It’s affordable and accessible.”

The sport’s appeal cuts across generations and backgrounds, making it uniquely inclusive.

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“Everyone can play—regardless of age, income level, or athletic ability,” she says. “It’s easy to learn, but hard to master.”

What makes pickleball particularly remarkable to Worcester is how quickly it builds community.

“In racquet sports, it’s rare—if not unprecedented—to see a sport grow so quickly while also creating such a strong sense of connection,” she explains.

The Role of Women in Pickleball’s Culture

Women have played a critical role in shaping pickleball’s culture from the very beginning.

“From community organizers and club leaders to pro players and executives, women have helped create the welcoming, inclusive environment that defines the sport,” Worcester says.

For someone who spent years working toward equality in tennis, pickleball offered a refreshing contrast.

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“When professional pickleball launched, it launched with equality,” she says.

Today, male and female players compete for:

• Equal prize money
• Equal stadium court opportunities
• Equal broadcast exposure
• Equal visibility across media platforms

Even more notably, the sport’s biggest star is a woman.

“Anna Leigh Waters has become the most recognizable figure in professional pickleball,” Worcester says. “At such a young age she has attracted major sponsorships and media attention, which sends an incredibly powerful message about opportunity for women in the sport.”

A Legacy That Extends Beyond the Court

After helping guide pickleball through an important period of growth, Anne Worcester has officially stepped away from the industry today, closing an extraordinary chapter in a career that has helped shape racquet sports around the world.

But for those who have worked alongside her, it’s clear that her impact—and her guidance—will remain.

While she may be stepping aside from the day-to-day work of the pickleball industry, Worcester will always remain a trusted voice and mentor, just a phone call away for the many friends, colleagues, and leaders who have crossed paths with her throughout her journey.

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A Career That Opened Doors

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Anne Worcester’s career spans more than 40 years in the global sports industry, influencing everything from professional tennis to the emergence of pickleball as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

As the former CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association, she helped shape the trajectory of one of the world’s most prominent women’s sports organizations. Later, she brought that same leadership, vision, and experience to pickleball during a transformative moment for the sport.

On International Women’s Day, her story stands as a powerful reminder of what leadership, perseverance, and belief in opportunity can accomplish—not only for one career, but for generations of women who will follow. As Anne Worcester steps away from the pickleball industry, the impact of her remarkable career continues to inspire all of us—reminding the sports world that true leadership is measured not only by success, but by the opportunities you create for others along the way.

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As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re grateful for leaders like Anne Worcester and the many women who continue to shape the future of pickleball—from executives and organizers to coaches, players, and community builders.

To all the women in pickleball and beyond, we wish you a wonderful International Women’s Day and thank you for the impact you make every day both on and off the court.

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As International Women’s Day approaches, we’re spotlighting some of the women helping to shape pickleball across all areas of the sport—from the DUPR College Pickleball Tour and The Dink Minor League Pickleball powered by DUPR, to DUPR Coaches and professional players competing on the sport’s biggest stages.

Today, we feature Cleo, a rising professional player whose journey reflects both the rapid growth of pickleball and the expanding opportunities for female athletes. With a background in tennis and a growing presence on the professional stage, Cleo represents a new generation of competitors helping elevate the sport through dedication, resilience, and a passion for the game.

Finding a New Path Through Pickleball

For Cleo, the turning point in her career came when she discovered pickleball.

“Probably starting pickleball as a whole,” she explains. “I grew up playing tennis and always thought that would be my path, but discovering pickleball opened a completely new door for me. Taking that leap and committing to a new sport was definitely the biggest turning point.”

Like many athletes entering pickleball from other sports, Cleo recognized the opportunity to pursue something new. That decision ultimately reshaped her athletic journey and opened the door to professional competition.

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Learning to Compete Under Pressure

Transitioning to the professional stage brings new challenges—especially when it comes to managing expectations and pressure.

For Cleo, developing the right mindset has become an ongoing process.

“It’s definitely a constant work in progress,” she says. “I’m always working on managing nerves and reminding myself to have fun out on the court. When I stay relaxed and enjoy the game, that’s when I play my best.”

Her perspective reflects a common theme among top athletes: success often comes when players find the balance between focus and enjoyment.

The Growth of Opportunities for Women in Pickleball

As Cleo continues competing at the highest levels of the sport, she has witnessed firsthand how rapidly pickleball is evolving—particularly for women.

“The growth has been incredible, especially being on the PPA Tour and seeing the level of athleticism and competition continue to rise,” she says. “There are also more opportunities now for female athletes with bigger stages, sponsorships, and visibility in the sport.”

With increasing tournament opportunities, expanding professional tours, and growing media coverage, the landscape for women in pickleball continues to broaden each year.

Advice for the Next Generation of Players

For aspiring players hoping to reach the professional level, Cleo emphasizes patience, consistency, and self-belief.

“Focus on improving your game and trust your own path,” she advises. “Everyone’s journey looks different, so it’s important not to get caught up in comparison. Stay consistent, keep learning, and enjoy the process.”

Her advice highlights an important message for young athletes: growth in sport rarely follows a single path, and success often comes from long-term commitment and personal development.

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The Importance of Representation

On International Women’s Day, Cleo sees representation in pickleball as a powerful way to inspire future generations.

“For me it’s about showing that women belong at the highest level of sport and helping inspire the next generation to believe they can do the same,” she says. “It’s exciting to be part of a growing sport where women are helping shape the future.”

As pickleball continues to expand globally, players like Cleo are helping demonstrate what is possible for female athletes both on and off the court.

Through her journey—from tennis to the professional pickleball stage—Cleo embodies the energy and ambition driving the sport forward. Her story reflects not only personal growth, but also the broader evolution of pickleball as a space where women are increasingly leading, competing, and inspiring the next generation of players.

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