In breaking news, Quang Duong has been suspended and fined by the United Pickleball Association (UPA) for a breach of contract.

According to league sources, over the Memorial Day Weekend, Quang played in a non-UPA-sanctioned pickleball event in Vietnam. This isn't the first time Quang Duong pickleball contracts have made headlines, and the UPA's swift response signals exactly how seriously the league is treating exclusivity violations. He actually posted about it on his Instagram account.

The UPA has fined and suspended Duong in the following manner:

Suspended for one PPA event (PPA Select Medical Orange County Cup)
Suspended for one MLP event (Edward Jones MLP Phoenix)
Editor's note: League sources have told The Dink after publication, the suspension is for four matches, NOT the entire MLP Phoenix event
Fined $50,000

This is not the first time the UPA has moved aggressively to enforce player contracts. The UPA previously terminated the contracts of Ignatowich, Fu, and Glozman following their participation in an unsanctioned event, which set the precedent for exactly this kind of enforcement action.

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What the UPA Said About the Quang Duong Suspension

The Dink was able to ascertain this quote from UPA sources:

“MLP and PPA have invested very significantly in our player contracts, and they are written to ensure event exclusivity so that the league, the Tour, and our players can work together to grow the sport in mutually beneficial ways.

When contract terms are violated, there have to be consequences. We look forward to having Quang participate in MLP and PPA events following this brief suspension, and trust this issue will quickly be put behind all of us.” - UPA sources

Duong actually played in an event recently in Vietnam along with many players from the Phoenix Flames. Because of this, he is very familiar with how the approval process works with such events.

This Is Not the First Contract Battle for Quang Duong

"Quang Duong is under contract with Selkirk through April of 2025.

Following multiple contract breaches he made over the course of months, with the first dating back to September 4th, both on social media and at in-person events, we continued our efforts to work with him to…
— The Dink Pickleball (@Pickleball) January 8, 2025

Quang Duong was issued a cease and desist order from Selkirk after playing with other manufacturers' paddles in the PPA Masters while he was a signed Selkirk player. Selkirk cited "multiple contract breaches," which is the same language the UPA is now using.

In this instance, he openly played in an unsanctioned UPA event, and is now paying the price. The pattern here matters: this is a player with a documented history of contract disputes, and the UPA's $50,000 fine reflects that context. Parris Todd was previously fined $50,000 and suspended two events under similar UPA enforcement, which sets a clear benchmark for how the league handles these violations.

Ramifications of the Quang Duong Suspension for MLP and PPA

We know Duong has been suspended for one MLP event and one PPA event. Here are the ramifications of the suspension:

In MLP, the LA Mad Drops play six matches this weekend in MLP Phoenix.

We know Quang Duong has been suspended for one MLP event and one PPA event. Here are the ramifications:

In MLP, the LA Mad Drops play six matches this weekend in MLP Phoenix.

The LA Mad Drops will be forced to play those six matches (24% of their season) without Duong. Their options to replace him alongside Catherine Parenteau, Jade Kawamoto, and Hunter Johnson are: use their third guy on the roster, Wes Burrows (which I am hearing is not going to happen), OR use on-site alternate, Spencer Smith. There is a remote chance that Phoenix has other on-site alternates, but the information I have says these are their options.

For the PPA Select Medical Orange County Cup, it looks like Jade Kawamoto and Jay Devilliers will be looking for a new partner in the tournament taking place starting June 16. The deadline to register (or in this case, change partners) is June 9 at 5pm.

This suspension affects far more than just Quang Duong. It reshapes roster math for the Mad Drops at a critical point in the MLP season. Is Quang Duong returning to the PPA Tour? has the background on his broader contractual situation and what his next move in professional pickleball might look like.

Stay tuned to The Dink newsletter and socials, as there is surely more to unfold in this saga between the UPA and Quang Duong.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Quang Duong suspended by the UPA?

Quang Duong was suspended by the United Pickleball Association for participating in a non-UPA-sanctioned pickleball event in Vietnam over Memorial Day Weekend, which violated the exclusivity terms of his player contract. The UPA discovered the breach after Duong posted about the event on his own Instagram account.

How much was Quang Duong fined?

Quang Duong was fined $50,000 by the UPA, the same fine amount levied against Parris Todd in a previous enforcement action. He was also suspended from one PPA event and four matches of one MLP event.

What team does Quang Duong play for in MLP?

Quang Duong plays for the LA Mad Drops in Major League Pickleball, alongside Catherine Parenteau, Jade Kawamoto, and Hunter Johnson. His suspension forces the team to replace him for six matches, representing 24% of their regular season.

Has Quang Duong had previous contract issues?

Yes. Selkirk issued Quang Duong a cease and desist order after he played with rival manufacturers' paddles during the PPA Masters while still under contract with Selkirk. Selkirk cited multiple contract breaches at the time, making the UPA's current action the second major contract dispute in Duong's professional pickleball career.

What happens to the LA Mad Drops without Quang Duong?

The LA Mad Drops must replace Duong for the affected MLP matches using either Wes Burrows or on-site alternate Spencer Smith. The loss of a top player for six matches at MLP Phoenix puts significant pressure on the remaining roster and could affect the team's playoff positioning.