American-born Vietnamese pickleball player Quang Duong has been fined $50,000 and suspended from two major tournaments by the United Pickleball Association (UPA) for breaching his exclusive contract. Duong participated in an unsanctioned charity tournament in Vietnam on May 23, violating the UPA’s rules that restrict players from competing outside the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) systems. His suspension affects key events including the Select Medical Orange County Cup, which could impact his ranking due to its high point value.
Duong, born in 2006 in California to Vietnamese parents, quickly rose to prominence in pickleball after starting the sport in 2020. He has achieved significant success, including winning the 2024 PPA Tour Rate Championships and the IHG Bristol Open world championship, and is currently ranked sixth globally in men’s singles. UPA president Jason Aspes emphasized the importance of the exclusivity clause for the sport’s integrity and hopes Duong will return to competition soon despite the penalty.
