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Andre Agassi to Inaugurate PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League, Boosting Pickleball in IndiaEight-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 tennis player Andre Agassi will grace India in January 2023 to launch the PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League. This significant event aims to ignite the passion for pickleball in the country.The PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League is an extension of the recently introduced rankings system by Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), along with the launch of the PWR World Tour and PWR World Series. Agassi, in a video message to Indian fans, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "I'm thrilled to visit India and introduce the exhilarating sport of pickleball to its fans. I anticipate the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League to be a resounding success."Agassi's illustrious tennis career boasts four Australian Open titles, a French Open and Wimbledon title each, and two US Open titles. He also secured a gold medal in men's singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.Prior to the main event in January, the PWR DUPR India Masters, including the "Battle of the League: Stage 1," a PWR 700 event, will be held in New Delhi from October 24 to 27, 2022. The Battle of the Leagues is a unique team-based competition designed for amateur players. Event partners include Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), Minor League Pickleball, Pickleball United, FansPlay, the Indian Pickleball Association, the Asian Pickleball Association, and the Global Pickleball Federation.Winning teams in each category of the Battle of the Leagues will qualify for the DUPR Nationals in the USA, with PWR covering travel and accommodation expenses. The tournament offers a substantial prize pool of USD 50,000.The launch of the PWR, PWR World Series (PWS), and PWR World Tour was recently held in Dubai, with the GCC region designated as the host for the inaugural PWR World Series in February 2025. All PWR DUPR events are sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, the Asian Pickleball Association, and the Global Pickleball Federation.

India's burgeoning reputation as a potential racquet sports hub is poised to receive a significant boost with the launch of the World Pickleball League (WPBL), the first-ever professional pickleball league. This groundbreaking initiative is the brainchild of Natekar Sports and Gaming (NSG), led by former Davis Cup tennis star and Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Natekar, in collaboration with Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures India (SETVI).Pickleball, a captivating racquet sport that seamlessly blends elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, has garnered immense popularity worldwide. Recognizing its immense potential, Natekar, leveraging his three decades of experience in the sports industry, expressed his pride in unveiling the inaugural global professional pickleball league in India. He emphasized the sport's accessibility, stating, "Its easy-to-learn-and-play nature, coupled with its age and gender inclusivity, makes it the ideal sport for people to come out and play, thereby democratizing sports participation like never before."The inaugural edition of the league will feature six franchises vying for the coveted title. Each team will comprise five to eight players, including international stars. Notably, the league mandates teams to include Indian and junior players, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to interact and learn from the world's best.Arvind Prabhoo, President of the All India Pickleball Federation and International Pickleball Federation, hailed the professional pickleball league as a transformative initiative for the sport in India. He expressed confidence that this league would propel the growth of pickleball, bringing it closer to the target of engaging one million players nationwide within the next five years.Currently played in over 80 countries, pickleball has gained significant traction in the Asia Pacific region, with India emerging as a promising hub. Over the past few years, the sport has witnessed a steady rise in popularity, with over 30,000 amateur players and 8000 registered players across 18 states actively participating. Its compact space requirements and accessibility for individuals of all ages, from seven to 70, have contributed to its widespread appeal as both a recreational and competitive sport.