Ellie Douglas Stuns DUPR Collegiate National Championship: Ellie Douglas, a top former college tennis player, reached the finals at her first-ever pickleball tournament—the DUPR Collegiate National Championship—despite having no plans to compete in the sport. Held at the national level, this event showcased her quick rise in collegiate pickleball competition.
A Surprise Entry into Pickleball
Ellie Douglas never thought she would play pickleball competitively. Coming from a strong tennis background, she said,
“I said I would never play a pickleball tournament in my life coming from tennis.” – (Douglas)
But when the DUPR Collegiate National Championship (CNC) took place, she decided to give it a try and made it to the finals.
A Strong Tennis Past
Ellie Douglas built her sports career at Texas Christian University. She earned several honors, including:
- 2019 Big 12 Freshman of the Year
- All-Big 12 Singles First Team
- Ranked as high as No. 16 in the ITF junior world rankings
- Played in junior US Open, French Open, and Wimbledon
- Won multiple ITF titles and was a top blue-chip recruit
With such success in tennis, many thought switching to pickleball would be easy. But Ellie found it very different.
A New Game, A New Challenge
Ellie Douglas quickly noticed the sport had a new feel.
“Pickleball is a lot more vocal than tennis. Everyone is fired up; way more energy than tennis. Tennis is more quiet, polite—here it’s all noise, energy, and getting into it.” – (Douglas)
Though she relied on her tennis skills, she realized that pickleball—especially singles—needs different strategies.
“I probably should have practiced singles more. But I leaned on my tennis background and made it work.” – (Douglas)
From Newcomer to Finalist
Despite having no previous experience in DUPR-rated events, Ellie Douglas and her team moved quickly through the brackets. Competing for the first time, she advanced all the way to the finals at the DUPR Collegiate National Championship.
Though she did not win the final match, she remained proud of her team’s strong performance. The CNC tournament gave Ellie a new look at pickleball’s growing community. She met players from other schools and experienced the fun, high-energy vibe of the sport.
Looking Ahead
When asked if she plans to play professionally, Ellie Douglas replied:
“I’m not sure yet. I’ve met a lot of interesting people at the CNC, and who knows? We’ll see.” – (Douglas)
Her success shows how competitive and exciting pickleball can be. Her DUPR ratings are now official, meaning she can continue in future events if she chooses.
Why This Story Matters
Ellie Douglas’s fast rise shows how pickleball is attracting top athletes from other sports. Her journey also proves how the DUPR system helps new players track their growth and join national competitions. As college pickleball expands, her story reflects how the sport welcomes talent and brings together athletes from all backgrounds.
News in Brief: Ellie Douglas Stuns DUPR Collegiate National Championship
Ellie Douglas, a former Texas Christian University tennis star, reached the finals in her first-ever pickleball event—the DUPR Collegiate National Championship. Her surprising run highlights the growing link between tennis and pickleball, and how the sport is quickly welcoming top-level athletes into its fold.
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