Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), an integrated global ranking system for pickleball players, is set to host the PWR DUPR India Masters, the PWR700 event on the PWR World Tour, in the capital city of New Delhi. Pickleball, the fastest growing racquet sport in the world, is all set to establish a strong foothold in India with the launch of this prestigious event. The tournament will be held from 24 to 27 October 2024 at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium, the first event owned and operated by PWR after the successful PWR World Tour in July 2024 in Dubai, UAE. The Dubai launch, which was attended by PWR anchor investors The Times Group, international pickleball officials, and some of the world’s top players, set the stage for PWR’s expansion across the globe.
All eyes now turn to New Delhi, where 750 excellent players – professionals and amateurs – will compete, further cementing pickleball’s position as India’s premier sport. This event is an important milestone for pickleball, enhancing its presence in the Indian and global sports landscape.
The PWR DUPR India Masters promises to generate excitement for pickleball as a growing sport, offering players a platform to showcase their talents and earn valuable ranking points. Participants include top international players such as Dustin Boyer (United States), Phuc Huynh (United States), Roos Van Reek (Netherlands), Mitch Hargreaves (Australia), Emilia Schmidt (Australia), Pei Chuan Kao (Chinese Taipei), as well as players Indian majors like Armaan Bhatia and Aditya Ruhela. They will compete for a prize of $50,000.
As a PWR700 event, the tournament will give players up to 700 ranking points, which is valid for 52 weeks, directly affecting seeding and eligibility for future global competitions. The event will also feature an exciting PWR League Battle – Minor League Pickleball, where teams of 2 men and 2 women will compete in various categories.
Pranav Kohli, CEO of PWR, said, “PWR DUPR India Masters is a landmark event that highlights the emergence of pickleball as a beloved sport in India for all ages. Our mission is to build a vibrant community around this sport, combining competition and friendship. This event is not not only provides a professional platform to compete and earn ranking points, but also plays an important role in identifying and nurturing domestic talent, fostering a new generation of players and fans.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group said, “Pickleball is now the fastest growing sport in India. The Times Group is excited to bring The PWR DUPR India Masters, the first PWR700 event to the pickleball community. The PWR DUPR India Masters is the first pickleball tournament that organized on a large scale in India with globally recognized player participation, great venues and live streaming of matches for the audience.This will further boost player and fan engagement and lead more players to make pickleball a full-time career option in Our Group Times is proud to be at the forefront of driving the growth of pickleball in India and globally”
The PWR DUPR India Masters will be broadcast live on Zoom and Mirror Now and streamed on Times Now (TimesNow.in), Pickleball Now (pickleballnow.in), You Tube channels @ZoomTV, and @SportsNowHindi. The live broadcast will start at 12 noon on October 24 and October 25 and at 3 pm on October 26 and October 27. As pickleball continues to rise in popularity, the PWR DUPR India Masters is set to be a pivotal moment in the development of the sport in India.
Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) is an integrated global ranking system that provides a structured path for pickleball players to earn points by participating in the PWR World Tour held in various regions, thereby increasing their ranking, and qualifying for the PWR World Series. PWR events are tiered similar to the ATP and WTA tournaments in tennis, with categories including PWR50, PWR100, PWR200, PWR400, PWR700, PWR1000, and PWR2000. The PWR DUPR India Masters is the PWR700 event on the PWR World Tour.