On Court
Pickleball Pioneer
Pickleball is still on the rise across the U.S., and a new league has emerged to prove it. Renowned for its innovation, thrill, and a community spirit that goes beyond conventional sports norms, Major League Pickleball (MLP) is not unfamiliar to the Troon and Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT) families. Top 20 player and MLP draft pick Andrei Daescu presides as head racquets professional at BallenIsles Country Club (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.); former tennis professional turned MLP up-and-comer Sam Querrey is a CDT Signature Event partner; and several CDT clubs run minor MLP tournaments on a regular basis.
MLP is more than just a sports league; it’s a community that values inclusivity, joy, and the shared love for pickleball. As we anticipate the 2024 season, here’s a primer on what distinguishes MLP as a pioneering influence in the realm of professional pickleball.
SCORING INNOVATION
At the heart of MLP is the revolutionary MLPlay format, a game-changing approach that brings men and women together on a level playing court. This format is not only unique in its composition but also introduces rally scoring — where a point is scored on every single rally regardless of who serves the pickleball — which adds a faster-paced and more engaging element to the game.
The MLPlay format is designed to showcase the essence of teamwork in pickleball. Each team match consists of four 21-point games, starting with women’s doubles, followed by men’s doubles, and concluding with two mixed doubles games. This sequence emphasizes the importance of collaboration, making teamwork as critical as individual skills on the court. The use of rally scoring further enhances the overall intensity, making MLP a dynamic experience for players and fans alike.
The Dreambreaker format introduces a captivating twist to the game, serving as a tiebreaker in the event of a 2-2 score after the four standard games. In the showdown, one player from each team engages in singles play, alternating every four points until one player reaches 21 points with a required two-point margin for victory.
COMPETITIVE PATHS
For the 2023 season, MLP featured 24 geography-based teams, evenly split into MLP Premier Level and MLP Challenger Level. Premier Level hosted the top 48 drafted players, while Challenger Level showcased the next generation of pickleball talents. This dual-level structure ensured a high level of competition while providing opportunities for emerging stars to make their mark on the league.
This move not only elevated the caliber of competition but also created a pathway for the next generation of pro pickleball players to break through. The league’s commitment to inclusivity, coupled with moves like the ‘40 By 30 Project’ (an initiative to spread pickleball to 40 million players by 2030), and strategic partnerships with the Carvana PPA Tour underscored MLP’s dedication to fostering the growth of pickleball.
As we anticipate the 2024 season, MLP is gearing up for an even more expansive and thrilling experience. The league and the Carvana PPA Tour have integrated their schedules, offering a total of 34 events across 200 days in over 25 cities and 18 states. The innovative approach for 2024 includes a regular season schedule divided into six divisions, culminating in a two-week MLP Playoff series. With the introduction of the Dreambreaker in case of a tie, the stakes are higher, and the excitement is bound to reach new heights.
2024 POTENTIAL
Major League Pickleball has carved a niche for itself as the premier team-based professional pickleball league, with its unique MLPlay format, and commitment to growth. The success of the 2023 season sets the stage for an even more exhilarating 2024, where the league’s expansion, integrated schedule, and innovative gameplay promise to captivate pickleball enthusiasts worldwide. As we eagerly await the first serve of the new season, one thing is certain: MLP continues to redefine the game and inspire a new era of pickleball excellence.
