The Picklr, Wingfield Team Up with DUPR Coach, DUPR to Deliver Pickleball’s First End-to-End AI-Powered Platform
Wingfield, a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered performance analysis for racket sports, and The Picklr, the world’s fastest-growing pickleball franchise, are partnering with DUPR Coach and DUPR to launch the sport’s first end-to-end, AI-powered pathway for player development.
By combining AI-driven player assessments with automated DUPR Match Submissions, The Picklr becomes the first club network to leverage AI for both evaluating skill level and competitive play, turning every step of a player’s journey into a data-driven, exciting experience.
The Wingfield Player Assessment replaces subjective skill evaluations with a structured, replicable protocol guided by P4-certified Picklr DUPR Coaches. Players complete a series of standardised drills that measure core pickleball skills — serve, return, drive, drop, volley, and dink—capturing shot accuracy, consistency, and speed. Wingfield’s AI analyses every shot in real time and assigns drill scores that roll into a comprehensive skill profile.
Rather than replacing the coach, Wingfield’s AI provides precise, objective data that coaches can interpret and build upon. The result is a more comprehensive assessment, blending human insight with measurable performance metrics to create an elevated player experience that’s consistent across all clubs.
“The Picklr has always been about raising the bar for player experience. Partnering with Wingfield, DUPR Coach, and DUPR allows us to offer something no other club network can: a complete, AI-driven pathway that connects player development with competitive play,” said Matt PaneGasser, Vice President of Pickleball at The Picklr. “Whether you’re new to the sport or chasing the next level, this technology ensures every moment on court counts toward your progress.”
The new Wingfield Player Assessment, co-developed by Wingfield and The Picklr, is integrated with DUPR Coach—allowing P4-certified Picklr DUPR Coaches to submit assessment results, and Coach-Assigned DUPRs, directly to DUPR.
Through this integration, members at The Picklr will receive their first official DUPR rating instantly after completing the assessment, while coaches ensure consistency and accuracy across all Picklr locations. At the same time, clubs can onboard new players with confidence and transparency.
“The Picklr’s commitment to standardising on DUPR by funding over 200 DUPR Coaches ensures that every member will have a rating, driving stronger open play experiences, and improving member retention,” said Katie Nimitz, President of DUPR Coach. “With Wingfield’s integration into the DUPR Coach scoring and rating system, Picklr P4 Coaches now have access to the most advanced assessment tools in the industry. Every Wingfield court is now a DUPR Coach Court.”
The partnership with DUPR extends beyond assessments. Players can now compete on AI-powered Picklr courts, with Wingfield’s technology tracking every shot and automatically submitting verified results to DUPR. Every competitive match played on a Wingfield court can count toward a player’s DUPR rating, which updates automatically without the need for manual entry. This transforms each match into a more exciting experience, as players can immediately see the real-time impact on their rating.
“Our mission at DUPR is to make pickleball ratings universal, accurate, and accessible to every player. This partnership brings that vision to life in an unprecedented way,” said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. “Now, from the moment a player walks into a Picklr facility, they can be assessed, rated, and start improving their DUPR through verified matches—all seamlessly tracked and powered by AI, and our DUPR Coaches. It’s a new benchmark for the game.”
For the first time, members at The Picklr can start their journey with a structured, AI-driven assessment combined with a DUPR Coach evaluation to provide a Coach-Assigned DUPR rating. From there, they continue building and refining their skill level by competing in verified matches on the same AI-powered courts. By connecting assessments and competition in this way, The Picklr becomes the first network to fully integrate AI into both player development and verified match play, setting a new standard for the sport.
“At Wingfield, we’re passionate about turning cutting-edge technology into real-world products that players and coaches love. With The Picklr, DUPR Coach, and DUPR, we’re bringing that vision to life, creating an AI-powered pathway that starts with a player’s very first assessment and continues through competitive matches they play,” said Jaan Brunken, COO & Co-Founder of Wingfield. “When technology becomes a product that solves real needs, it creates lasting value, and that’s exactly what we’re building: a transparent, exciting, and accessible system that keeps players engaged over the long term.”
