UPA Sanctions Quang Duong For Competing In Non-PPA Event
In a significant disciplinary move, the United Pickleball Association (UPA) has handed Quang Duong a suspension for breaching the exclusivity clause in his contract—an action that now sidelines the rising star from both Major League Pickleball (MLP) and PPA play.
Duong, just 19 years old and already a notable talent in the professional pickleball landscape, reportedly took part in a non-PPA sanctioned event while visiting his home country of Vietnam this past weekend. The UPA requires contracted players, including Duong, to seek and obtain formal approval before participating in any tournament outside the PPA ecosystem.
That approval, it seems, was never granted.
Source: Pickleball.com
The Penalties
The UPA’s disciplinary response has been swift and firm. Duong now faces:
Suspension from one PPA Tour tournament
Suspension from four matches during MLP Phoenix
A $50,000 fine
The consequences are not just personal—they carry major competitive implications.
What It Means For MLP Phoenix And Beyond
Duong’s MLP team, the Los Angeles Mad Drops, is scheduled to play six matches at MLP Phoenix, which kicks off this Thursday. With Duong sidelined for four of those matches, the team will be without a key piece of its roster for the majority of its schedule.
This isn’t a minor blow. Duong was the 7th overall pick in the 2025 MLP Free Agency Draft, and the Mad Drops had counted on his consistency and youth as a foundation for their season strategy.
In addition, Duong will miss the Select Medical Orange County Cup in June, one of the year’s marquee PPA events, with 1,500 ranking points at stake. The tournament plays a vital role in shaping year-end standings, making his absence even more impactful.
The Vietnam Incident: Charity Or Competition?
According to Duong’s own social media posts, he was in Vietnam to take part in what he described as a charity event. While the full nature of the event hasn’t been officially confirmed, it may not have been a traditional professional tournament in the strictest sense.
Still, the contract language is clear—regardless of the competitive nature of the event, UPA players must receive prior written approval to participate in any non-PPA appearances, even for goodwill or exhibition purposes.
That approval, in this case, appears to have never been sought or granted.
A Costly Lesson
This episode highlights the increasingly high-stakes environment of professional pickleball, where player commitments to leagues, sponsors, and governing bodies are being enforced with growing seriousness.
As the sport professionalizes, so too does the expectation that athletes adhere to the fine print of their contracts—especially when representing brands, teams, and leagues on a global stage.
For Duong, it’s a tough lesson in the business side of a game he’s helped elevate. And for the Mad Drops, it’s a critical week made even more complicated.
There’s no official word yet on Duong’s response or if he plans to appeal the ruling. But for now, the message from the UPA is loud and clear: contract integrity matters.
