UPA-A is introducing a new lab-based stress test designed to mimic the effects of paddle degradation over time. It’s an accepted fact that the performance of many pickleball paddles changes over time. As core materials break in, power, pop, and spin can increase. Sometimes, this change is noticeable at first but then plateaus within what … Read more
The power paddle from Luzz Pickleball was never approved in the first place, but made the list due to a loophole. All paddles from under-the-radar brand Luzz Pickleball have been removed from the UPA-A Approved Paddle List, effective immediately, the pro sport’s governing body announced yesterday. The decision came on the same day that paddle … Read more
Pickleball players talk a lot about gear—paddle weight, core materials, edge guards—but there’s one thing that often gets overlooked: the grip. You know, that thin, cushioned layer between your hand and the paddle that determines whether you’re in control or slipping mid-swing. So, how often should you swap it out? We asked the pickleball community, … Read more
A round of 64 mixed-doubles matchup at the Carvana PPA Mesa Cup saw the year’s first official paddle challenge. It took a couple weeks, but the results are officially in. According to the UPA-A, the paddle in question failed. Carvana Mesa Cup Tournament Recap This is a tournament recap of the Carvana PPA Mesa Cup … Read more
Federico Staksrud, the #1-ranked singles and men’s doubles player on the PPA Tour, made waves last month as the new face of adidas pickleball. A few short weeks later, he was spotted swinging his trusty Joola again in a round of 64 singles win against Ty Parrish at the Carvana Mesa Cup. So, what gives? … Read more
“Put this paddle in the hands of a pro and it will be deadly.” That’s what paddle expert and YouTuber Jon Kew said about the upcoming Robus Ripple R1.14 on a recent PicklePod episode. He said the paddle had an amazing sweet spot, spin, dwell time, and power, making it feel more like a tennis … Read more
It’s a strange and sad thing to say but lawsuits don’t seem to be all that uncommon in the sport. Maybe it’s down to the explosion in popularity but it seems like this is something that we’re just going to have to get used to. I just got wind of one recent case from Central … Read more
USA Pickleball is committed to upholding the integrity of paddle certification through rigorous, standardized testing procedures to ensure fair play and compliance with established performance thresholds. Regarding the certification status of the Ronbus Ripple.R1.14 PBCoR.43, paddles initially provided for PBCoR testing were beta samples, not final production paddles. USA Pickleball received no production samples for … Read more
After eighteen months of research and development and more than 200 prototypes sent to the drafting room floor, CRBN is at long last ready to disrupt the pickleball paddle market. The Southern California-based, family-owned paddle brand today launches TruFoam Genesis, the “first-ever 100% foam core performance paddle approved for tournament play.” If you hear “foam” … Read more
The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) has announced pivotal updates to paddle regulations, effective September 1, 2025, aimed at ensuring fairness and consistency in professional gameplay. With the recent formation of the UPA-A, players have been anxious to see how the organization would handle the issues related to paddle regulations and testing. We reached … Read more