In a significant boost for the sport of pickleball, tennis legend Andre Agassi officially launched the PWR DUPR India League at a star-studded event in Mumbai yesterday. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who was present online praised the initiative and commended Times Group Managing Director Vineet Jain for his efforts in promoting this rapidly growing sport in India.
Also present at the event were renowned sports icons, including Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, and Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna, alongside cricket legend Jonty Rhodes. During the event, Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, shared insights into his journey with pickleball and discussed why the sport is quickly gaining popularity worldwide. His endorsement of pickleball as an accessible and exciting game resonated with the audience, showcasing the future potential of the sport in India.
Following the press conference, Agassi engaged in a friendly exhibition match against Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna. The two tennis stars put on an impressive display of their pickleball skills, thrilling the crowd with their high-energy play and competitive spirit. The event marked a milestone in the growing popularity of pickleball, with fans eagerly watching the sport’s evolution in India.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh L. Mandaviya who was present over a video conference, expressed, “It is a great pleasure to join you today for the launch of the PWR DUPR India League. As the world’s fastest-growing racket sport, pickleball is gaining immense popularity in India, and this league is a significant step forward in promoting the sport both here and globally. I would like to especially congratulate Shri Vineet Jain, MD, The Times Group, for this wonderful initiative. His role in promoting sports like pickleball and padel in India will go a long way in supporting emerging sports. His commitment to nurturing sports is equally visible in the unparalleled sporting facilities created at Bennett University. This is exactly what an emerging superpower like India needs—an all-around development of our youth.”
PWR DUPR India League, a collaboration between The Times Group, Pickleball League Asia, and supported by the Indian Pickleball Association, Asian Pickleball Association, and Global Pickleball Federation, is boosting India’s presence in the global pickleball community. The success of the PWR DUPR India Masters in New Delhi, which saw hundreds of participants, including international stars and Indian players Armaan Bhatia and Aditya Ruhela, highlighted the sport’s potential in India. Building on this momentum, the upcoming PWR DUPR India League aims to feature top global and Indian talent, putting India on the global pickleball map and inspiring more young athletes to take up the sport.
Vineet Jain, MD of The Times Group, addressed the gathering, stating, “We are committed to making pickleball a mainstream sport in India and creating a strong ecosystem that benefits players, fans, team owners, investors, and infrastructure providers. We’ve partnered with top global and Indian talent for our League. I’m grateful to Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for his support, even though he couldn’t attend in person. The Times Group is proud to be an anchor investor in PWR, a pioneering initiative connecting the global pickleball community. To expand the sport’s reach, we’ve launched ‘Pickleball Now,‘ a digital platform dedicated to pickleball content. Additionally, we’re excited to host the National Pickleball Championship at Bennett University from January 23-26, 2025, which boasts 10 pickleball courts.”
Pranav Kohli, CEO of Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), expressed his excitement, saying, “This has been a dream come true. A big thank you to Andre Agassi for making the trip, and to India’s tennis legend Rohan Bopanna and Jonty Rhodes for their support. We are privileged to partner with the Times Group to elevate the sport. A special thanks to Vineet Jain for his passion for pickleball. This sport is one of the most inclusive in the world, allowing players of all ages and abilities to compete together. At PWR, we envision pickleball entering the Olympics by 2036, with India claiming the first gold. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where players can thrive in leagues, tournaments, and pathways globally.”
Talking about his pickleball experience, Andre Agassi shared, “Over the last two years, I’ve been playing a lot, and it’s been a great outlet for me and my wife—fantastic exercise. Some may think it’s just for older people, but I promise you, you can challenge yourself at any level. I’m proud to represent DUPR, the sport’s most accurate rating system, and thrilled for the opportunity to help grow pickleball globally. With 30 million people playing in the U.S., it’s still in its infancy. I believe in the sport, especially for what it brings to people’s lives and communities. I encourage you to give it a try—it’ll become a part of your life.”
Rohan Bopanna expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s great to see India embracing a new sport like pickleball. It’s trending, and I’m happy to support it here. Andre, it’s wonderful to have you, and I’ve watched you play many times. Sportsmen coming together to support other sports is a special thing. Good luck with the league!”
Cricket legend Jonty Rhodes added, “In India, cricket dominates, but I encourage young players to try sports that challenge different movements. Pickleball, with its dynamic play, helps expand vision and skills. It’s also about community—building and nurturing talent, which is key to developing the sport here in India.”
Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) were introduced in July 2024 at a ceremony in Dubai by Pickleball League Asia Private Limited in collaboration with The Times Group. This was followed by the high-intensity PWR DUPR India Masters tournament in Delhi from October 24-27. In addition to the Mumbai league in early 2025, further events are planned in Indian cities such as Ahmedabad, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and New Delhi (in October 2025), as well as international events in Tsu, Japan.
