Eight-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 tennis player Andre Agassi is set to make a significant impact on the Indian sports scene in January 2025. He will be visiting the country to officially launch the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League, a major initiative aimed at bringing competitive pickleball to India. This announcement comes on the heels of the recent launch of PWR’s new rankings structure, the PWR World Tour, and the PWR World Series, demonstrating a global commitment to the sport’s growth.
Agassi, renowned for his remarkable tennis career, expressed his excitement about being part of this venture. In a special video message directed to his Indian fans, he said, “I’m excited to visit India and bring the excitement of pickleball to its fans. I look forward to the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League and hope it will be a great success in the country.”
Pranav Kohli, CEO and founder of PWR, shared his enthusiasm about Agassi’s involvement, stating, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Andre Agassi to India as he flags off the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League. His involvement brings a tremendous boost to our efforts to promote pickleball in India and globally. Agassi’s passion for the game and his legendary status in the world of sports will surely inspire players and fans alike, and we are confident that this league will set new benchmarks for pickleball in India.”
The PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League is not the only pickleball event on the horizon for India. The PWR DUPR India Masters, including the Battle of the Leagues: Stage 1 (a PWR 700 event), will take place in New Delhi from October 24th to 27th, 2024. This event will feature a unique PWR concept, the Battle of the Leagues, which involves team-based competition for amateur players. The winning teams in each category will not only receive a share of the USD 50K prize money but also secure a coveted spot in the DUPR Nationals in the USA, with PWR covering their travel and accommodation expenses.
The PWR’s commitment to promoting pickleball globally was evident with the launch of the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), the PWR World Series (PWS), and the PWR World Tour in Dubai last month. The GCC region has been designated as the host for the inaugural PWR World Series, scheduled for February 2025. It’s important to note that all PWR DUPR events are officially sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (the apex pickleball body in India), the Asian Pickleball Association, and the Global Pickleball Federation (the rule-making and official world governing body of pickleball). With Andre Agassi’s involvement and a comprehensive global strategy, pickleball in India is poised for significant growth and expansion.
