DUPR No.1 Junior 2026: Nicola Schoeman’s Pickleball Rise Is Just Getting Started

Queensland pickleball has a new global standard-bearer - and she’s only 18.

Arana Hills local, Nicola Schoeman, has officially become the No.1 DUPR Women's Doubles Junior in the world for 2026, marking another milestone in one of the fastest-rising careers Australian pickleball has ever seen. With a DUPR rating of 5.627, from Major League drafts to international gold medals, Nicola’s journey is redefining what’s possible for young athletes in the sport.

Making History in Major League Pickleball Australia

Nicola burst onto the professional scene as the youngest-ever Major League Pickleball Australia (MLPA) draft pick in 2024 at just 16. One year later, she went even bigger - becoming the No.1 overall pick in the 2025 MLPA Draft, an extraordinary achievement for a teenager still in school only months earlier.

Australian Open Glory - Twice!

Nicola was part of history at the inaugural Australian Open Pickleball Slam in Melbourne in January 2025, winning the first-ever pickleball teams event during the Australian Open Tennis finals weekend.

She repeated the feat in early 2026, delivering the match-winning point in a dramatic 19–18 dreambreaker, defeating a 30-year-old male opponent under pressure, to seal her team's victory.

Dominating PPA Asia and Australia

Since the launch of PPA Asia in 2025, Nicola has medalled at every event across Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, and Fukuoka.

Highlights included:

• Mixed Doubles gold at the inaugural PPA Asia event
• A headline-making win over the No.1 seeds Anna Bright (USA) and Roos van Reek, alongside doubles partner Danni-Elle Townsend
• Gold in Women’s Doubles at PPA Australia Melbourne, closing out 2025 in style

She finished the 2025 PPA Asia season 2nd in Women’s Doubles, 4th in Singles and Mixed, and equal 2nd for total medals - remarkable consistency on the international stage.

From Tennis Prodigy to Pickleball Star

Before pickleball, Nicola was already elite. A former Queensland No.1 tennis player, she won the Perth ITF, trained with Tennis Queensland’s National Development Squad, and competed nationally across hard and clay courts.

Her transition to pickleball during a gap year unlocked explosive success - proving her athletic foundation and competitive mindset were always world-class.

Life Beyond the Baseline

Away from tournaments, Nicola enjoys downtime with her pets ZsaZsa, the Ragdoll cat, and Bella, the BullArab x Sharpei, bakes legendary choc-chip cookies, perfects homemade slime, and keeps in touch with her partner competing on the PPA Tour in the USA.

Fuelled by steak, mash, and salmon bowls, she balances elite sport with genuine teenage joy.

Sponsored, Supported, but Just Getting Started

Nicola is proudly sponsored by Ramsports (Typhoon Paddle) and Xero Shoes Australia, backing her barefoot-style movement and aggressive all-court game.

Her Advice to Aspiring Players?

• Work on your soft game
• Be aggressive 
• But keep pickleball fun!

Watch This Space!

With international titles, media features, and a DUPR ranking of Women's Doubles No.1 Junior, Nicola Schoeman isn’t just one to watch - she’s setting the pace for the future of Queensland and Australian pickleball.

Related Resources: 

PickleCOACH: Tennis to Pickleball: The Pros, Pitfalls & How to Make the Switch Smoothly and Join The Fastest-Growing Sport! 

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