Pro Pickleball Players Unite: Why the WPPA Could Change the Future of the Sport

Professional pickleball players have officially launched the World Pickleball Players Association (WPPA), a player-led organization led by former WTA tennis pro and current UPA star Tina Pisnik, alongside Collin Johns, Dekel Bar, Jessie Irvine, and several other top players.

The WPPA isn’t a traditional union—it can’t be, since most pros are independent contractors—but it’s designed to provide athletes with a stronger, independent voice on issues like:

• Scheduling & workload management

• Health and safety standards

• Prize money and revenue transparency

• Disciplinary processes

The timing is no coincidence. Pickleball’s professional scene is exploding:

• The PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball merged to form the United Pickleball Association (UPA), which now dominates the pro landscape.

• New events are expanding to Asia, Canada, and Europe for the first time in 2025.

• A $15 million global ranking system and world tour is set to launch.

As the business grows, players are demanding more say in how their careers and livelihoods are shaped.

UPA quickly released a statement reaffirming that its internal Pro Player Committee remains the only officially recognized player-representative body. Chaired by Zane Navratil, the committee already has a seat at the table on key decisions like rules, compensation, and policy.

This sets up a potentially tricky dynamic: WPPA as an “independent voice” vs. UPA’s official committee. For now, both sides insist they want constructive collaboration.

• Empowering players – WPPA reflects a shift from passive participation to active leadership.

• Collaborative tone – It’s seeking dialogue, not confrontation, with tours and organizers.

• Global reach potential – If WPPA can attract players from all tours, it could become the sport’s true international platform.

• Tennis world support – Backing from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) gives WPPA credibility and resources from a proven player-led model.

The WPPA is still in its infancy, but it’s already a powerful statement: players want a bigger voice as pickleball grows into a mainstream, global sport.

Whether WPPA can build enough influence to shape policies—and possibly work hand-in-hand with UPA—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the professional pickleball landscape just got a lot more interesting.

Do you think the WPPA is exactly what pro pickleball needs—or will it cause unnecessary friction with UPA? Share your thoughts in the comments!