Quang Duong, a 19-year-old professional pickleball player of Vietnamese-American descent, has emerged as a significant figure in the sport since transitioning from tennis in 2023. This note provides a comprehensive overview of his primary contractual relationship with the Vietnamese pickleball company Sypik and his recent departure from the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and United Pickleball Association (UPA) frameworks, as of August 5, 2025.Background and Career.
Born on July 7, 2006, in Manhattan Beach, California, Quang Duong quickly rose through the ranks of professional pickleball after a successful junior tennis career, highlighted by a top 83 ITF junior ranking and multiple paddle tennis titles by age 15. Transitioning to pickleball in 2023, he entered the Top 20 of the PPA Tour singles rankings within months and achieved notable victories, including defeating top player Ben Johns twice in 2024. His career goals include promoting pickleball in Asia, particularly Vietnam, reflecting his cultural ties. Sponsorship Contract with Sypik. Research suggests that Quang Duong’s primary contract with a Vietnamese pickleball company is his sponsorship deal with Sypik, a Vietnamese paddle brand. Reports from 11 Pickles, published on July 22, 2025, indicate this deal is worth $800,000 per year, a significant increase compared to the average PPA earnings of around $200,000. This contract was signed in early May 2025, following his departure from Selkirk, an American brand, as announced on May 1, 2025, by multiple sources including Pickleball.com and Times Now. Duc Duong, Quang’s father and coach, described the deal in an interview with The Dink Pickleball on May 18, 2025, as worth half a million dollars, calling it “too small,” which suggests a possible discrepancy or update in terms. However, the higher figure from 11 Pickles aligns with the strategic focus on Asia’s market, which Duc claimed is ten times larger than the U.S. market. The Sypik contract is not solely financial; it aims to promote pickleball in Asia, leveraging Duong’s popularity. Sypik celebrated the partnership on Instagram, calling it a “historic handshake” affirming Vietnamese presence on the global pickleball map. Duong’s first tournament with the Sypik paddle was the Atlanta Pickleball Championships, starting May 12, 2025, as noted by Times Now. Additionally, Sypik launched the Sypik Avatar Pro Quang Duong Edition in July 2025, further integrating him into the brand’s identity. Involvement in Vietnamese Events and Potential Partnerships. While the Sypik contract is the only explicitly documented agreement, Duong’s activities in Vietnam suggest broader engagement. Reports from VnExpress International on May 31, 2025, and July 12, 2025, detail his participation in unsanctioned events, such as a charity tournament in Lao Cai in May 2025 and a community event in Nha Trang in July 2025. These activities, while not tied to formal contracts, indicate his role in promoting pickleball locally, potentially through informal partnerships with organizers. Departure from PPA/UPA. The evidence leans toward Duong’s contract with the UPA, which includes the PPA Tour and MLP, being terminated on July 12, 2025, due to repeated breaches of exclusivity agreements. Forbes reported on July 11, 2025, that the UPA cited “multiple and repeated violations,” including Duong’s absence from the MLP Mid-Season Tournament in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from July 9-13, 2025, to host a promotional event at Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang, Vietnam. Earlier, in May 2025, he was fined $50,000 and suspended from one PPA Tour and four MLP matches for playing in an unsanctioned Vietnam event, as noted by Pickleball.com on July 11, 2025. The UPA’s statement, released on Instagram, mentioned numerous warnings and conversations before the termination, effective immediately, impacting his future participation in PPA and MLP events. This departure has sparked controversy, with Reddit discussions on July 12, 2025, showing split opinions: some view it as a smart financial move given the Sypik deal, while others believe he burned bridges early in his career. Zane Navratil, a pro player, criticized the breaches as delegitimizing the tour, as reported by 11 Pickles on July 11, 2025.
