The UPA’s Termination of Quang Duong: A Blow to Pickleball’s Growth and a Wake-Up Call for Player Rights

In the fast-evolving world of professional pickleball, where the sport is exploding in popularity across the globe, a recent decision by the United Pickleball Association (UPA) has sent shockwaves through the community.

On July 12, 2025, the UPA announced the immediate termination of Quang Duong's contract, citing "multiple and repeated violations of the exclusivity terms of the agreement." This move not only sidelines one of the sport's rising stars but also highlights deeper issues within pickleball's professional structure—issues that could stunt its growth rather than foster it. As someone who's followed pickleball's meteoric rise from backyard pastime to pro spectacle, I can't help but see this as a terrible misstep for the sport.

Let's break it down: the facts of the case, why this is detrimental to pickleball, how it ties into broader corruption like the banning of innovative brands such as Dope Pickleball, and why the sport desperately needs a players' union to combat these injustices that are turning pickleball into a laughing stock.

The Incident: From Warnings to Termination

Quang Duong, a Vietnamese-American pro known for his explosive play and growing international brand, has been at the center of controversy since May 2025. It started over Memorial Day weekend when Duong participated in an unsanctioned tournament in Vietnam—a clear breach of the UPA's exclusivity clauses, which prohibit players from competing in non-sanctioned events without approval.

The... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://dopepickleball.co/blogs/best-pickleball-news-and-updates-2025/the-upa-s-termination-of-quang-duong-a-blow-to-pickleball-s-growth-and-a-wake-up-call-for-player-rights