Testing the Serve: Is it a Weapon?

De-Weaponizing: the weekend’s buzzword

The buzz started at the top of Bristol Open last week, as we reported in our Bristol preview, when Grayson Goldin posted a video to X showing PPA staff taping off a line 4 feet inside the baseline. It was said the player council made the suggestion to de-weaponize the serve. A lot of people sounded off about this, even poking fun at the idea of changing the game to account for powerful plays.

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In reality, our sources indicate it’s not likely that the serve rules will change, or the new line will be adopted. The PPA could just enforce the rules they have, or adopt the MLP service rule. Debuted in Atlanta for the 2024 season, it “…allows the server to make contact with the ball at any height on their body, as long as their arm has an upward arc at the time of contact and the paddle head is not above the wrist joint at time of contact.” Perhaps this would be sufficient, given most people don’t think massive serves are that big of an issue. Check out Zane’s poll posted on X:

Now, the trouble of power paddles remains, which is the chief concern of the player council. As long as there are insufficient checks and balances in the development and testing process, these issues will continue. Maybe we see the introduction of protective helmets and body padding before limits are put on paddle power. Because money talks.

PB Weekly Round-up

Quick hits of what’s new and interesting in the pickleball space.

• MLP CEO Bruce Popko’s tenure is coming to an end this month. UPA Executive leadership is temporarily taking on his responsibilities, which includes oversight of the Board of Governors, on-court product, rules, committees, and media rights. A search for his replacement is already underway.

• Las Vegas Night Owls hired “Canada’s #1” Steve Deakin as their coach. They play next at MLP NYC on Sept 29.

• Quang Duong and Jay Devilliers are headed to The Monsoon Pickleball Championship 2.0 in Mumbai, hosted by Global Sports Pickleball. They’ll each be teaching a clinic and helping to grow interest in the game internationally.

• APP tour recently announced a new youth pickleball development program, called APP Academy. The boarding program will be hosted at APP’s new HQ facility, The Fort, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Enrollment begins in fall 2025.

Next pod release is Wednesday, August 20th, 10 a.m. MT (12 p.m. ET)