The wait is over! The official tryouts Combine is taking place August 2026!  The 60+ Combine will take place August 5-7 and 50+ will take place August 7-9 at Performance Pickleball RVA in Richmond. This great facility hosted our 2025 Combine - and it was a huge hit! Lunch provided throughout. The cost is just $225 for two solid great days of play. To qualify, you should play at the 4.5 level or above. If your DUPR is not 4.5, but you play at the 4.5+ level, you can include that information in your registration form, and can be accepted. 

SCHEDULE: 60+ evening warm-up on August 5th, rounds of play on August 6/7. 50+ evening warm-up on August 7th, rounds of play on August 8/9. The male and female winners of each Combine will gain automatic draft spot on one of their respective league's teams!  

Register today, as space is limited. 

WHAT AN AMAZING SEASON! Our inaugural year is in the books, and the Delrays, who went 11-0 for the season converted their winning ways to 1st place and a big check! Congrats to the entire team and their owners Aila Main and Karen Urban! The Royals fought them tough in the finals, losing in a close dreambreaker to decide the tourney. The NY Ballers placed third followed by the Rocketeers in 4th. More pics and details to follow! Thank you to all of the players, owners, and referees who dedicated their time, effort, and SKILLS to this season. And, we couldn't have done it all without our sponsors Diadem and Dink Eyewear, who both showed up for us all season long.  Watch the replays on our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@USLPL/streams

On the heels of the success of the USLPL 50+, our league is launching the inaugural season of the USLPL 60+ in Fall 2026. The league is exclusively for 60+ players and is fueled by the desire to provide 60+ players with their next great competitive challenge alongside others in their age group.

USLPL 60+ will include 6 teams that will play alongside the USLPL 50+, adding to the excitement and camaraderie of the weekend showdown events. Details about the 50+ and 60+ tryouts combine and draft will be announced in early 2026.

“As a 60+ player, I understand the need for super-senior players to compete against people our own age,” said League Co-Founder Ron Cortese of Oakton, Virginia.  “The response to the 60+ league has been swift and positive from players and owners alike.”

Interested players and team owners can register at this link to receive announcements about upcoming events. Limited team ownership opportunities are still available. 

“U.S. Legends Pickleball League has always been about giving elite players across the country the opportunity to fulfill their competitive aspirations,” said League Co-Founder Mike Cao, of Richmond, Virginia, a senior pro player and PPR certified coach. “We cannot wait to welcome more players into our league.”

USLPL is pleased to announce Sonny Tannan as its new Director of Sponsorships & Athlete Development. In this role, Sonny will lead sponsor outreach and coordination for both the 50+ and 35+ leagues, while ensuring that all qualified athletes are supported and encouraged to compete at the highest national level.

Sonny is a sponsored coach with Team JOOLA, a DUPR Master Coach, and a Level 2 Clinician for RPO. He also serves as a strategic consultant and investor in racquet sport facilities both in the U.S. and internationally, with a proven history of connecting athletes, brands, and communities.

“Sonny brings a wealth of experience to the league,” said USLPL Co-founder Ron Cortese. “Our league, team owners, and players are lucky to have him on our team.”

“Pickleball has opened doors for me both on and off the court, and I’m excited to bring that experience to the USLPL. Together, we will create a national stage for our players while building partnerships that elevate athletes and deliver value to the brands and communities that support us,” said Tannan.

SONNY@PLAYLEGENDS.COM

On the heels of its successful launch in July of this year, U.S. Legends Senior Pro Pickleball League is excited to introduce its new companion league for pro players ages 35-49. The USLPL 35+ will kick off in early 2026, with tryouts and a regular season schedule. Player recruitment is underway, and the application for team ownership is open. Interested players and owners can register at this link to receive announcements about upcoming events and apply to own a team now or in the future.

The USLPL 35+ league is co-owned and operated by Heidi Sung and Waymon Peet, successful top mid-age pro players with deep roots in the tennis and pickleball communities. USLPL Co-Founders Ron Cortese and Mike Cao will be involved in the development, operations, and growth of both leagues.

“We’re pumped to get this league off the ground ASAP and already have significant interest from players and potential team owners.  We will tap into the experience and successes of the USLPL Senior Pro League at every step and are grateful for their expertise and experience,” said Sung.

The 35+ league will start with eight teams of 14 players, including seven men and seven women. To participate, players can either attend tryouts or apply directly to the league draft. Details on both will soon be posted and emailed to those who register to receive information.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer the same amazing experience for the 35+ players as we have for our senior pros in such a short time,” said League Co-Founder Ron Cortese of Oakton, Virginia.  “Heidi and Waymon are smart players and business people who will head up a successful league that helps grow the pipeline of players who will naturally want to age up into our senior league,” said USLPL Co-Founder Mike Cao, a senior pro player out of Richmond, VA.

The USLPL’s Senior Pro (50+/60+) season kicked off in Indianapolis September 19-21, 2025. All 12 teams attended and participated in four team showdown events. Their ownership groups include nearly two dozen senior pros, some of whom are also Hollywood actors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and people who go above and beyond to elevate the sport of pickleball through working with juniors and opening new cutting-edge pickleball facilities.  Owners have won multiple medals at tournaments including the Minto U.S. Open, USAP Nationals, the Senior Games, and multiple international pickleball events including the Irish Open, Thailand Open, and Rome Open.

About Heidi Sung
Heidi is a graduate of the University of Maryland who began her career at both Merrill Lynch and Charles Schwab as a stockbroker. She raised her two boys and began volunteer work, serving on the Board of Trustees at the Howard County General Hospital and the Auctions Committee for 6 years at Trinity School.  After a three-year tennis career in which she played 120 USTA matches in one year, she started competing at pickleball and accepted a job with Joola as Events Coordinator/Project Manager. She soon earned her PPR certification to teach at Pro Clinics and began to compete at APP and PPA events, earning several medals, including a U.S. Open title.  She also worked at Dill Dinkers, helping set up their Rockville, MD, facility and coaching.  Heidi currently coaches out of the Dill Dinkers in Columbia, MD, and leaves enough time for competing in disc golf tournaments across the country.

About Waymon Peet
Waymon is a proud U.S. Air Force veteran who built a career in healthcare working in
physical therapy. He recently worked as the director of pickleball operations and PPR certified coach at various Dill Dinkers locations. His background in athletics, healthcare, and leadership give him a unique perspective on player development and has helped him build successful pickleball programs for all levels. He began playing pickleball after injuries prevented him from continuing to play tennis and soon climbed to the 5.0+ level. He also competes professionally in disc golf, which gives him even more experience with high-level competition and executing well run events. He travels nationwide to compete in PPA, APP, and other high level tournaments and has earned multiple medals at the U.S. Open, PPA, and Pickleball Nationals.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dani Mackey, Dani@DaniMackey.com (703) 283-9698
50+ LEAGUE CONTACT: Info@PlayLegends.com
35+ LEAGUE CONTACTS: Heidi@PlayLegends.com; Waymon@PlayLegends.com

U.S. Legends Pickleball League welcomes the marvelous Michele Spahr to its broadcast team. The co-host of the Mom You're Embarrassing Me Podcast (which she co-hosts with her daughter Jordan Wick) will join the USLPL as Lead Correspondent at its team showdowns in Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New Jersey. She will provide color commentary on select matches, rove the sidelines, and conduct owner and player interviews throughout each showdown weekend. She'll also help fans stay on top of real-time updates, as well as share behind-the-scenes stories and profiles. Welcome to the team, Michele!

We're pleased to share that DINK Eyewear will protect USLPL players this season, as well as help them see the ball better. WOW, right?! Our players are learning how DINK lenses improve color, contrast, and clarity — giving them a visual edge before even the first serve. You really gotta check them out for yourself, but here's a little bit about their products. So many great choices of style and color - including prescription! Use code USLPL20 at check-out for a 20 percent discount.

 Pro Outdoor Lens
Our darkest and most dynamic lens—ideal for full sun and glare. Designed for green ball visibility and younger eyes, it delivers elite clarity, contrast, and bold color in bright conditions.

 Pro Indoor/Outdoor Green Lens
Our most versatile lens—perfect for bright outdoor or lower-light indoor play. Loved especially by players over 40, it enhances depth, sharpness, and adaptability in all lighting conditions.

 Natural Lens (Indoor/Night)
Built for indoor courts and evening matches, this lens is a glare-control machine. Originally developed for night driving, it reduces harsh reflections (aka optical noise) while improving comfort, contrast, and true color visibility.

The Roanoke Shine are one of the 12 USLPL teams that will compete for the league championship in Season 1. They recently appeared on WSLS TV to share what joining the league means to them. Check out their interview here!

You may recognize Co-Founder Ron Cortese as the head of Legends Sports Leagues (basketball, baseball, and pickleball) or have played in one of the many tournaments he has hosted in the mid-Atlantic region. Ron's a senior pro player, PPR Certified Coach, and is excited to welcome the players and fans to the USLPL this season. Mike is a multiple international pickleball tournament medalist as well as a PPR Certified Coach and all-around great guy. Together, their teamwork has helped make the dream work for the USLPL. 

The USLPL is proud to call the Diadem "Official" ball, the "Official Ball" of our league! Balls will provided for the Combine and all matches. To get yours, order directly from Diadem using the code USLPL-DIADEM for 10 percent off all purchases.