Mumbai, January 28, 2025: The World Pickleball League (WPBL), India’s hottest new sporting spectacle, is elevATING the game of pickleball with groundbreaking innovations aimed at creating faster-paced, more engaging matches for fans and participants alike.
Conceived by former Indian tennis players, Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, the WPBL introduces various exciting rules for its inaugural season. Among these, the most notable is the introduction of timed matches, with each game set to last just 15 minutes. This new format promises to keep the action continuous, enhancing the spectator experience (both on-site and online), and ensuring no time is wasted during play.
The league features five match categories per tie: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Players must adhere to strict timings, with only 10 seconds allowed between points. This rule change looks to maintain the thrill of the game and minimize any potential for delays.
Another revolutionary addition is the strategic element dubbed PicklePlay. This allows coaches to substitute one player for another for five serves, adding layers of tactical depth to the competition. The PicklePlay option can be exercised anytime after the first five minutes of play, with each player allowed only one substitution per tie. Such innovations will undoubtedly test the adaptability of players under the pressure of time constraints.
Interestingly, the WPBL retains traditional pickleball scoring where points can only be claimed on the serve. Yet, if matches end in a tie, the league has introduced a unique tiebreaker system. The tiebreaker follows rally scoring, with the first player or team reaching seven points crowned the winner.
Points distribution adds extra stakes to the competition. Teams earn three points for winning matches unequivocally, and two points for victories achieved via tiebreakers. Eventually, the team with the most match wins during the ties will be declared the overall winner.
“These innovative rules are crafted to skyrocket pickleball to new heights, making it even more engaging for players and fans alike,” said Gaurav Natekar, Co-founder and CEO of the WPBL. “From the tactical brilliance of PicklePlay to the concept of timed matches ensuring thrilling and nail-biting finishes, the WPBL is setting new precedents, creating a high-energy spectacle for audiences worldwide.”
Fans eager to catch the live action can tune in to the Sony Sports Network and FanCode, ensuring they don't miss any of the fast-paced pickleball excitement. Tickets for live games can be conveniently purchased via Swiggy Scenes, giving fans opportunities to experience the electrifying atmosphere of live matches.