The United Pickleball Association of America recently released paddle testing data that shows key differences between UPA-A standards, which govern the pro game, and USA Pickleball standards, which are broadly used across the amateur game. In a news release, the UPA-A said it “applies significantly more stringent testing standards than USA Pickleball (USAP) and that […]
Following last month’s announcement of the creation of Paddletek Group, which unites Paddletek, ProXR and Yobow under one brand, the company is launching a new program meant to give players an early look at the latest paddle technology in the game. The Paddletek Reserve campaign will offer “limited-release paddles” showcasing the “latest breakthroughs coming straight from […]
Last week’s PPA Tour Masters made history as the most-watched pickleball broadcast in the sport’s history, the tour said Friday. Sunday’s 2-hour broadcast window on CBS, which featured the men’s doubles final (Ben Johns/Gabe Tardio vs. Hayden Patriquin/Christian Alshon) and part of the women’s doubles final (Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright vs. Jackie Kawamoto/Jade Kawamoto) had […]
In an effort to “create a more dynamic game and further highlight the athletic abilities of pro pickleball players,” a test of narrower court dimensions will take place in Pro Singles at upcoming PPA Challenger events, the PPA Tour announced Wednesday. The new court dimensions will bring the sidelines in by a total of three […]
Like a lot of entrepreneurs, Jon Nilson wasn’t really trying to start a business in the early days of what eventually became UDRIPPIN. He was just trying to find some tennis and pickleball overgrips for himself after Wilson stopped making their hot pink tour grips – his favorite at the time. After searching on sites […]
Several big-name pros were using new paddles at last week’s PPA Tour Masters, including Anna Leigh Waters, Gabe Tardio, Chris Haworth and more. Below is a breakdown of exactly which models were being used by every player who won a medal, as well as a few notable players who didn’t hit the podium. Shopping for […]
The PPA Tour has a quick turnaround this week after the Masters, which wrapped up on Sunday evening. The tour is going from sunny Palm Springs, California, to frigid Minnesota for the Indoor National Championships. The event is being held at the Life Time in the Minneapolis suburb of Lakeville, an indoor facility that has dozens […]
Anna Leigh Waters has had a lot of great weeks on the PPA Tour over the years, but this one will go down as arguably her best — both on the court and off. She signed a long-term paddle contract with Franklin (rumored to be worth well in the millions), then followed that up with […]
Robert Elliott has seen it all in the pickleball paddle manufacturing industry. The founder and CEO of Engage Pickleball was one of the first to experiment with adding grit to the paddle face back in the mid-2010s, when he and his wife were among the top players in the U.S. and competing in tournaments throughout […]
Major League Pickleball on Wednesday released several new rules for the 2026 season, as well as the format for the upcoming free-agency draft. The biggest changes involve allowing teams to use their full six-person lineup in the same match, a new regular-season event format that will crown a winner at all nine regular-season events and […]
