‘God Will Do His Power’: Quang Duong Shares Powerful Message Amidst PPA Mess
Vietnamese pickleball sensation Quang Duong is no stranger to controversy. But the latest storm he’s in might arguably be the most serious as it involves a suspension from the PPA Tour and a hefty USD $50,000 fine—one of the largest in the tour by far.
What Happened?
Put simply, the 19-year-old pro drew the ire of the United Pickleball Association (UPA) after he played in a non-PPA professional tournament while vacationing in Vietnam in May. He was subsequently punished for violating the exclusivity term of his contract with the PPA Tour. Duong’s punishment includes being suspended for one PPA Tour tournament and one MLP competition and a fine of USD $50,000.
More than the punishment, Duong’s latest bind, as we already pointed out, might be an indication of his team’s steep learning curve in as far as how to handle the young man’s growing stardom. And, unfortunately, if they don’t play things right, this controversy can have long-term implications on Duong’s career, which could fizzle out quickly if he doesn’t remain laser-focused on his current bread-and-butter: the US PPA.
Quang Duong Is Staying Positive
Weeks after the punishment, Duong took to social media to send a powerful and inspiring message of positivity—ostensibly to assure his fans that he’s in the right headspace even with all the challenges he has been facing lately.
“Right in the middle of tough times, everything seems against you. I received a gift from an old friend that [was] sent by his Dad. We used to be opponents growing up playing USTA, we were partner[s] fighting together side by side [in our] first few ITF tournaments in Mexico and our path split. He is now top 100 ATP and I am playing on the PPA,” Duong wrote. “But one thing [we have] in common, we believe God arranged the best thing for us. His gift came perfect time to remind me that even though everything looks so bad at time[s], it means something better to show up tomorrow. Have faith God will do his power.”
A Setback for a Bigger Fight Back
Again, Duong is no stranger to controversy, and he has always fought his way out with grace and grit. This latest storm is most definitely a setback for the young man, but with his fighting spirit and positive attitude about it, there’s no reason the Vietnamese star won’t be able to finagle his way out of trouble. In fact, he might even use this episode as a springboard for something bigger and better in his budding career.
